Buddy Walk 2012 - Step in Style....

 

Abby's Cadabbies Team Photo 2012

    She is our precious little princess--although not so little anymore. Abby, our beautiful miracle daughter, now in her 7th year, continues to prove to us just how amazing she is regardless of a medical diagnosis called Down syndrome.  Each year, we celebrate individuals with Down syndrome at the Massachusetts Down Syndrome Congress' Annual Buddy Walk. This year, our team was bigger than it has ever been, and the funds we raised were record-setting -- not only as a team--but the MDSC as an organization. This proves that our efforts to place an updated 'face' on Down syndrome while dispelling myths and historic stereotypes are making a serious dent--and that is all we can ever ask for.  Abby is an ambassador for the Down syndrome community--proving to us and all of those around her--that Down syndrome IS simply a medical diagnosis, NOT a measure of a person's abilities. 

To highlight recent medical advances in prenatal Down syndrome testing and how it will impact reproductive couples as well as the current population of individuals with Down syndrome, Mama Wendy penned a feature article in the October 2012 Baystate Parent Magazine: http://issuu.com/baystateparent/docs/1012_bsp/43  (pages 42-43). Hopefully, it will give couples updated information to consider should they learn that their unborn child may have Down syndrome.

Agudelo Family 2012

Nothing like a big hug for her brother, Alec...or is it a choke hold?? Hard to tell these days.... :)



Some special time with Papa on the Walk...priceless.



Abby and M-E...one of her good buddies and role models!

Abby 2012 -- Getting more beautiful every year

Of course, the Buddy Walk isn't just about walking and celebrating. We often get side tracked with eating, chatting, visiting and this year, Auntie Abra got busy defending herself and our treat table from the young'uns in our group. :)

It was a pretty darn impressive display! She held the fort from all that testosterone!! :) XO

Aramis decides he's a lover not a fighter..."Do you like my monkey?"

The Bedrosian family and friends on the Walk...showing their support and love for all of us. They are such great sports! Even Auntie Wendy (leg covered with post-surgical braces and wraps and on crutches) made an appearance and kept conversation flowing and completed food assembly at the Team Abby's Cadabbies Tent/Tailgate Arena for the non-walkers. THANKS Wend!! XOXO

Aramis, RJ and Alec decide to take a break at about 3/4 way through. They find perfect rock perches on which to sit and people watch and catch their breath. Smart fellas!

It is amazing to realize that only 7 years ago, the Buddy Walk and Family Picnic were separate events and significantly smaller in scale (Buddy Walk had approximately 300 people our first year--and now, 3,500 attend!) And look at this stage! It used to be a wooden platform!! :) Major progress in a very short window of time.

 Team Abby's Cadabbies getting underway on the 3 mile walk! :) Aramis loved the cheerleaders--who wouldn't?? :)

Lovely Carol joined us not only with her baby boy Jackson, but she brought a friend, who Abby just immediately bonded with.  Abby quickly became one of the girls and loved all the attention.

Abby with her bestest gal pal, Colleen....

...and her twin, Kaltrina.  Yup....separated at birth. :)