Buddy Walk Part Two

I walk away from this annual experience with many thoughts. I looked at the mass of green Buddy Walk t-shirts walking through Laramie and then seated in section JJ of the War Memorial Stadium and think of the silent camaraderie there. No matter how alone one might feel with the specifics of the situation, there are at least a thousand people on the same journey.

It was fascinating to people-watch. 

There was a family Jason had noticed last year. A young man had brought his fiance to this event in support of his younger brother who has Down Syndrome. The brothers lived it up during the dance party, the fiance tentatively joining in.This year the beautiful now-wife was out jitterbugging with the youngest brother. The husband then joined in and there were gleeful smiles all around. I loved watching this family and I don't know anything about them other than they loved this young guy and had invested into him in every aspect.  

There were many families that were celebrating, but there were others who were not.  They still had the deer in the headlights look that sometimes I still get. This look was hard to see as I could tell it was coming from a place of exhaustion and being overwhelmed. There was a family that had stayed in the same hotel as us. Their youngest son would be three in November and the cutest little bug.  But his mom was sad that he wasn't walking yet and his dad hardly interacted with him at all. I pray that this day was a breath of fresh air to those families. I hope this day was a day that they saw this disability embraced and celebrated for the joy it brings despite its challenges.

I think that is why I was so touched by the woman who was honored this year. I regret not paying more attention as the award ceremony was during lunch. After all her accolades (fundraising, going to hospital to visit newborns, being a support for those with a prenatal diagnosis, etc) she started her acceptance speech, "I am just a mom who happens to have a child with Down Syndrome." She used her personal experience with Down Syndrome to motivate, encourage, support those in the same boat. 

It also felt like a day of safety.

I am not really into politics, but I think it does say something that the governor and the senator would come to show support. The firefighters and police officers were there for support but also leading and blocking traffic. It is an amazing feeling to know the "world" around us was put on hold just for a few minutes in recognition.  

There weren't any people jeering or making fun of these precious kids or their dance moves. There weren't any adults judging any of the kids' tantrums. There weren't any discussions about what needs to be done or isn't being done for your child financially or therapeutically. It was just a day... one day... where you could relax, put down defenses and celebrate.