Buddy Walk

There are many things I never knew before becoming the soon-to-be-mother of a daughter with Down Syndrome. One of those things is that the month of October is National Down Syndrome Awareness month. There are many ways people celebrate National DS awareness Month, and one of those ways is the Buddy Walk. The Buddy Walk helps to promote the acceptance and inclusion of people with DS, and helps to raise funds for education, research and advocacy programs for people with DS.

So our family participated in our first Buddy Walk today. What a beautiful celebration it was! We only wished that our "buddy" was there to walk with us (I wish she could walk, for that matter!). We pinned Ava's picture to our shirts, and had some opportunities to pass out Reeces Rainbow cards.

In honor of Down Syndrome Awareness month, I am posting links to two businesses that are operated by young people with Down Syndrome. One is a company that makes quilts and blankets, the other sells individual packages of ready-to-make homemade cookies. We have hope for Ava's future when we hear stories like this. Please take a look:

Simply Adorable Blankets

and

Creekside Cookies and More

Maybe you can think of some Christmas presents to order from one of these great businesses!!