My husband and I had tried for two years to get pregnant and with the help of a fertility clinic we finally received the exciting news. Our OB suggested testing for genetic abnormalities due to my age but we knew no matter the outcome we had worked too hard to have a child. After an ultrasound and blood work resulted in a higher chance of a genetic disorder we were referred to a high risk pregnancy clinic. During our monthly visits to the high risk clinic all of the ultrasounds revealed the baby was showing “soft” markers for Down syndrome, these results only encouraged us to educate ourselves about the possible diagnosis. As the delivery date grew closer we felt that no matter the outcome we were informed enough to handle anything. When Kayla Marie Wheeler was born June 3, 2008 we were overjoyed she was finally here and soon learned from our pediatrician that Kayla tested positive for Mosaic Down Syndrome. The diagnosis did not matter, all our struggles to have Kayla were over and we now had our beautiful baby girl. Kayla was born with a few minor heart defects which eventually healed on their own and she does have the occasional acid reflux. She will have to have glasses soon but she was doomed from the beginning because her father and I both have glasses! We have been lucky because she has been a healthy child and is testing her boundaries like every three year old. Kayla will be starting her second year in pre-school this fall and we are so excited to see her progressing perfectly at “Kayla rate”. Kayla has two brothers, an older brother who is 20 years old who adores her and loves to make her laugh, and a new younger brother born in April 2011. She is eager to help mommy take care of her new brother and loves to take her dolls and act like mommy feeding the baby. She keeps me busy all day and she never fails to make me laugh. I can be having the roughest day and feeling down and she will flash one of her silly smiles and my heart melts and the bad mood just disappears.
The Buddy Walk® was established in 1995 to celebrate Down Syndrome Awareness Month and promote acceptance and inclusion of people with Down syndrome.
The Buddy Walk® has grown from 17 walks in 1995 to nearly 300 walks planned for 2011 worldwide. In 2010, 285,000 people across the country raised more than $11.2 million to support local programs and services, as well as National Down Syndrome Society (NDSS) advocacy and public awareness initiatives that benefit all individuals with Down syndrome.
What does the Columbus Buddy Walk® fund?
Funds raised through the Columbus Buddy Walk® will provide critically needed family support and services.
For example:
- $100 will fund two New Parent Packets for parents who have a newly-diagnosed baby with Down syndrome.
- $200 will fund a full recreational scholarship to enable a person with Down syndrome to participate in health and fitness activities to improve their quality of life.
- $250 will enable a self-advocate to attend our Adult Mini-Conference.
- $300 will fund a workshop for parents on a topic such as IEPs or potty training.
- $500 will fund materials, babysitting and refreshments for a DSACO support group for one year.
- $1,000 will fund a presentation to health care providers on diagnosis delivery through our Changing Lives program.
As you can see the Columbus Buddy Walk provides a lot of excellent programs and without the Buddy Walk these programs would not be able to be possible. Please go to the following link and register to walk with us or pledge. Any little bit will help.
http://www.columbusbuddywalk.org/search/-/event/team/95Nothing changes your life like having a child but nothing enhances it more than having a child with Down syndrome.
