Hello Friends & Family,

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Did you know that individuals with Down Syndrome were institutionalized as recently as the 1980s?  They were shut away from the rest of society and left to slowly wither away in mind, body & spirit.  They had little to no access to education, proper healthcare and social opportunities, etc.  I am still haunted by the pictures I have seen where their faces are plastered with sadness and apathy.  It's heartbreaking and ignites a righteous anger inside me. 

I am thankful that Luke was born now instead of then.  I can't bear to imagine how his beautiful spirit would have been broken living under such horrendous conditions.  As a society, we have come so far in the past 40+ years.  With love & support from family, friends & the community along with access to excellent health care, therapies, and wonderful educational & social environments, individuals with Down Syndrome are now thriving & living much longer.  

On a personal note, I am still traumatized by the experience I had when my OBGyn called my husband and I into her office after receiving my blood results early in my pregnancy.  After telling us we'd have an 89% chance of having a child with Down Syndrome, she reached across the table, grabbed my hands with sadness in her eyes and said, "This (Down Syndrome) is a reason to abort".  I was in a state of shock & didn't have words then, but now I have found my voice and want to scream to the world......"NO! It's not a reason to abort".  For this reason, I have established Luke's own page on Instagram (letyourlightshineluke).  I am honest with the challenges, but also strive to show that Luke's life has worth. He, and other individuals with Down Syndrome, CAN live beautiful & fulfilling lives. 

Their lives have intrinsic value & their worth can't be measured by test scores, developmental milestones & lab reports. Even in 2024 there is still so much work to do in educating all of society (the medical community, parents, friends, families, teachers, etc.). This is why I'm asking that you join me in promoting inclusion and awareness for the achievements of individuals with Down syndrome as we celebrate our Buddy Walk's 28th Anniversary on 9/29/2024 10:30 am to 1:30 pm.  Walk starts at 12 pm.