Clapping While the Heroes Go By

We can't all be heroes because somebody has to sit on the curb and clap as they go by. 

--Will Rogers

Today we celebrated the heroes that don't always get noticed.  We celebrated the ones who so often are willing to let the rest of us shine while they quietly take the backstage.  And we were honored to sit on the curb and clap for some real accomplishments: for hard work, for persistence, for patience, for showing us how to take time to watch the butterflies, for all the things that really matter.

CSRA Buddy Walk 2011

Visit with Horsefeathers the Clown

Castle to decorate

Crafts to paint

Beautiful wreaths made by Lori Bell, a young adult with Down syndrome

We met friends old and new.

It was a perfect day with beautiful weather and over 700 people coming out to join us.

Our little buddy Wade started the walk on his own two feet,

but ended it on David's shoulders.

A kind lady gave Wade a huge dog.  Doesn't it look real?

"The dog's name," said Wade, "is Murphy!"

Good-night, Murphy!  It's been a good day!

Buddy Walking with Savannah

It's not every year we get to do two Buddy Walks.

Ours, here in Augusta, was the first part of October.

Then today we went to Savannah to participate in their Buddy Walk and to take some notes from their success.

It was a great day;

the weather was perfect;

the city was charming;

the extra chromosomes were out in full force;

and we met our favorite movie stars...........

Deedah and Jonathan!

And when you're that close to the ocean, you just have to visit the beach.....

The ocean delighted Wade

who ran so fast his legs were a blur just like the little sea birds.

We now call him Sand Piper.

Buddy Walk Augusta

Team Wade

Ladybug the Clown

It's hard to have a serious talk with a clown.

You know it's not an ordinary day when you get picked up by a dog.

What a large shirt for a small boy!

Oh well, he just walked without it. What fun!

Times Square Video

Three months ago I posted about Wade appearing in a video that was shown in Times Square to kick off Down Syndrome Awareness month.


It is now available to view online. Go here and see if you can spot Wade.

MOMENT OF FAME

****NEWS FLASH****

WADE IN TIMES SQUARE
Wade's photo will appear in lights on Broadway on Sunday, September 28 as part of the National Down Syndrome Society's video production to demonstrate that people with Down syndrome can be successfully included in community activities, education and employment.
His photo was selected from 2,500 entries in the NDSS nationwide call for photos. Approximately 200 photographs will appear in a video production to be shown on the larger-than-life plasma screen, located in the heart of Times Square. The 30x40 foot landmark full motion video screen is seen by 1.5 million people daily.
The show will air at 10:30 a.m. and will be repeated at 10:50 a.m.
The video production, coordinated by NDSS, illustrates children, teens and adults with Down syndrome working, playing and learning with friends and family.
The Times Square video production kicks off National Down Syndrome Awareness Month, which includes the 2008 Buddy Walk™. This year, Walks will be held in more than 275 cities across the country, as well as many international walks. John C. McGinley, who plays Dr. Perry Cox in the hit show "Scrubs," is the 2008 National Buddy Walk™ Spokesman. Mr. McGinley is both an accomplished actor and the proud father of Max, his ten-year-old son who has Down syndrome. The New York City Buddy Walk™ will be led by Mr. McGinley and NDSS Goodwill Ambassador Chris Burke,
star of the long-running series, "Life Goes On." For information about National Down Syndrome Awareness Month or the NDSS Buddy Walk™, visit www.NDSS.org

(This is not the photo that will be shown in the video)