Last year in October I committed (to myself) that I would attend a Buddy Walk this year.
In case you are not familiar with the Buddy Walk concept, it is the annual fundraiser format promoted by Down Syndrome Associations all over America.
I read about others' online with envy ~ starrlife's at Life Decanted and Stephanie's at Ralph and the Crew.
Finally.
Yesterday.
I was privileged to attend the DSACT Buddy Walk with Sydney's Saints!
Sydney's Mom, Jeanette blogs at DownRightFaith.
She and Fran are my closest (in miles) blog friends. [I think of them as being in Austin, but drove well past Austin to see them yesterday. Not keeping score or anything, Jeanette and Fran. Nope. Not me.]
Texas style! - More like a festival [the kind of church affair I grew-up attending, several times a year, 'cause every organization had one. Many still do. Except for the uppity philanthropically savvy organizations. They have galas.]
There was the requisite petting zoo.
They had a stage, performers (Elvis crooned), food and water came with registration, silent auction, paddle boat rides, and more.
(I could not bear to crop the fluffy clouds.)
We started the walk to the cheers of cheerleaders who also welcomed us across the finish line with ribbons and stickers. A bagpiper set us to march walk and we circled the ranch enjoying the beautiful day.
Jeanette and her hubby, Sydney's Dad worked many long hours to help put-on this event. Jeanette is on the Board at DACT and she is coordinator for services to new moms. They are exemplary volunteers and their work contributes to the lives of parents of children with DS in ways that are difficult to measure but easy to see at the Buddy Walk.
Subtitle: So you want to be an advocate for persons with disabilities?
If you are looking for a model of advocacy look to
the parents of children with Down syndrome.
For most of the 20th century surviving infants with Down syndrome were the focus for both medical and educational services for children with disabilities. Before cardiac surgery on newborns and NICUs existed, parents of children with DS were working to take their children home to raise and be accepted in their churches and communities.
Whether you follow a path cleared (and paved) by other parents before you in not-for-profit land - or you choose to take on your state influencing services I am honored to walk beside you.
As a special education teacher, I have done the best I can to circumvent the system and inform parents of their rights and when to fight. I am proud to say that my final act as a teacher before "being allowed to resign" was to fight for the proper educational placement and services of one of my children that the district was trying to write off as basically ineducable. With AAC he was on grade level at the beginning of the school year. It is my honor to walk, and now roll, along side the families who are creating a world where all children are celebrated as treasured, unique and individual children first and foremost.
Posted by: Bethany | October 26, 2009 at 09:01 PM
It was great seeing you Sunday! An unexpected delight in a busy day! :)
Posted by: Fran | October 26, 2009 at 09:19 PM
Yea, Bethany, I hear you. btdt a bit m'self. But then I tired of the adversarial premise, the constant referral to 'fight' and 'win'. I know that you will agree, not all special education and schools are unaccepting and exclusive.
I sure hope you will keep rolling alongside me here.
Me, too, Fran!
Posted by: The Barbara who lives here | October 26, 2009 at 09:52 PM
SO glad you attended a Buddy Walk this year. Love those fair weather cumulus! We were so happy that Ralph's PT attended ours and met him at the finish line. It's a happy place to hang out. I love all the faces of DS and enjoy people watching.
Posted by: Stephanie @ Ralphcrew | October 26, 2009 at 10:03 PM
What great pics of such a happy day! It sure sounds like a bigger event than ours - a petting zoo, hmmm great idea! It's interesting how the advocacy role creeps up on you when you have a child with DS.I always think I do enough at work and then I come home to do more! How to consolidate the two is my next goal...
Posted by: starrlife | October 27, 2009 at 12:37 AM
Good for you driving to the Buddy Walk. Our town held it's first one this year. Next year I hope to find out in advance so our family can attend. Maybe you should take a vacation a little further north and go with us ;). Coeur d'Alene is a beautiful spot for a 'work' related 'study' opportunity ;). Does hubby fish? We have nice streams and lakes.
Posted by: Mrs. Mac | October 27, 2009 at 12:37 AM
I have seen the best in inclusive, accepting and child/family oriented special education and some of the worst. It completely varies from school to school, program to program, and district to district. There are amazing programs that prove that special education can be a huge success and that there is no reason to continue to try to cling to the antiquated systems. Also, a program may be perfect for one child and a horrible fit for another. In the end I know it is not about winning, but about the best education and opportunities possible by working as a team for the individual child.
Posted by: Bethany | October 27, 2009 at 10:06 AM
And we are honored to walk with you! Our Buddy Walk is always a blast too.
Posted by: Terri | October 27, 2009 at 12:57 PM
There was a similar walk in my neck of the woods a few weeks back. A friend of mine has a daughter with DS and she (of course) was there. She told me that it was a very emotional experience for her to see so many others who were facing the same trials that she was. So much support too. Wonderful, wonderful.
Glad you could go :)
Posted by: Lisa | October 27, 2009 at 10:25 PM
Well if I COULD drive to Idaho, Mrs. Mac, I'd probably try to stop by Stephanie's on the way through Kansas. Then I would have to go over and see Lisa in Washington after fishing with you. I like fishing; my Hubby, not so much. hehe! One day! My Hubby will be very happy to take me all over the place if he can drive an RV.
Hmmm, consolodating your work with your 'work', starr? Sounds like you want a job working for (an organization like) DSA - ? Or, you could think about being a special education teacher, like Bethany. But then, I'm not sure there's anyone else like Bethany. (You are a SPECIAL special education teacher, Bethany.)
Thank you, Terri. I hope I get to walk (or roll) hand in hand with each one of you. One day.
Posted by: The Barbara who lives here | October 27, 2009 at 10:49 PM
Lovely photos! Plus an Elvis-sighting at the Buddy Walk - I think I'm envious. LOL.
Honored to walk with you, too.
Posted by: JoyMama | October 28, 2009 at 05:45 AM
I made an entry. Life has been super busy but I wanted you to have another entry for your halloween contest:) I enjoyed this post. I will be looking at the links:)!
Posted by: carla | October 28, 2009 at 10:01 PM
We were SOOOOO honored to have you on our team. In person at the walk and in life! You are an amazing woman and I am priviledged to be your friend! We loved having you come all the way up here. It was a gorgeous day and the Buddy Walk is such a celebration of life!
Posted by: jeanette | October 30, 2009 at 09:18 PM