TEAM RILEY - Buddy Walk

http://www.wvdsa.com/

Buddy Walk®
The Buddy Walk® was established by the National Down Syndrome Society in 1995 to celebrate Down Syndrome Awareness Month in October.
WVDSA has sponsored a Buddy Walk® since 2002 at the beautiful Riverfront Park in Salem. We enjoy the views of the Willamette River and all the park has to offer including Salem’s Riverfront Carousel and the adjacent play area. We host information booths about our group, Down syndrome awareness, and the NDSS. There are games and activities for children, self-advocate speakers, and the walk around Riverfront Park. Lunch is served to all attending….it’s one of the highlights of the year for our group!
Saturday, September 26, 2009Buddy Walk at Riverfront Park in Salem, Oregon
Registration at the park will start at 10:00am; we encourage online registration to expedite the process. There is a $5.00 per person fee ($20.00 maximum per family).
Visit http://www.wvdsa.com/ for REGISTRATION
Some additional information regarding the Buddy Walk®:
The Buddy Walk® has three primary goals:
To promote acceptance and inclusion of people with Down syndrome;
To raise funds locally and nationally for education, research and advocacy programs; and
To enhance the position of the Down syndrome community, enabling us to positively influence local and national policy and practice.
The Buddy Walk® has grown from 17 walks in 1995 to more than 275 in 2008 across the country and around the world.
At least 250,000 people are expected to participate in more than 275 Buddy Walks® this year.
Since 1995, more than 2,000,000 people have participated in the Buddy Walk® program.
Last year alone, the Buddy Walk® raised more than $10.5 million to benefit local programs and services, as well as national education, research and advocacy initiatives.
The Buddy Walk® program is supported at the national level by the National Down Syndrome Society. Local Buddy Walks® are organized by NDSS Affiliates, parent support groups, schools, and other interested organizations and individuals.
Most Buddy Walks® take place from September through November to recognize Down Syndrome Awareness Month in October.
John C. McGinley, who plays Dr. Perry Cox in the hit NBC show "Scrubs," is the 2009 National Buddy Walk® Spokesman. Mr. McGinley is both an accomplished actor and the proud father of Max who has Down syndrome.
Anyone who wants to support acceptance and inclusion of people with Down syndrome can participate in the Buddy Walk®.

Angels watching over him.....

Riley had a great start to Kindergarten! Thanks to his great teachers and to his buddy Cheryl Plaster (previous pre-school teacher) for helping transition him to his new school. The first two days were pretty flawless! He came home happy and even got on the bus without a fight! :) Then on Monday morning we received a phone call from the school stating that Riley had gone missing, the school had gone in lock down, 911 was called and that Riley was found at Newberg High School. This news was devastating. The distance between Mabel Rush and NHS is considerable. He is 5 and doesn't speak. The news was too much to take.

Riley had left the playground during recess and nobody witnessed it. *(Not surprising, I'm telling you ...he is Houdini. ) He went across a field, under a fence, through another field and through the football stadium to the High School. The PE teacher found him and called 911.

It was a terrifying day for all involved. I talked to one teacher who stated this was the scariest things she has ever had to encounter. A non-verbal child missing. She had tears pouring as she told me this. I just kept repeating....." Believe me, I live this nightmare everyday. "

I completely feel for the teachers who lost track of him. I have been there. Many, many times. Although I am WAYYY more in tune to Riley's needs and reactions then they would be. I'm his mom though.

There is a new Protocol coming into place. A sort of recess confinement to one area, walkie talkies etc.

I do want to say that we are so thankful for everybody involved. Mabel Rush, Newberg High School, and Newberg/Dundee Police Department. Riley arrived home safe yesterday. I have been told and have thought many times.....That Riley has angels watching over him. Often he will look up into the sky or at a far away wall, out a window, and smile and his eyes light up. He will talk away as if he is talking to somebody. Carry on a conversation only he understands. I promise you. It was confirmed to me yesterday that he has angels (fast ones at that) watching over him. One for sure being my dear friend Lynelle. I can feel her sweet spirit as I type. Tonight I will pray to the heavens and thank her for taking such great care of my child, for hovering and keeping him safe time and time again. It is truly a miracle that he is safe and alive today. Although the unfortunate circumstances of her untimely death, I feel she definatley has a divine purpose. And I always tell people, it's as if she has never left. I still feel her all the time. Her purpose is to take Riley under her wings and keep him safe. I can't thank her enough. She is doing an impeccable job.

Through the tears,

Riley's Mommy

How do you put a price on that?

Many years ago a dear, dear friend of mine started a Dalmation Collection with her oldest daughter. My friend Lynelle was the most loving, kind, helpful mother you could ever ask for. She loved her children, her husband and animals. I always strived to be more like her. She never spoke bad about other people, always smiled, and had such a soft spot in her heart for everything. Her daughter Crystal collected everything Dalmation you could ever think of. Plastic figures, glass, wind chimes, pictures, soap dispensers, puzzles, everything. I remember when they started the collection. Crystal was just a young child. She loved spending time with her mom. They were very close. As were the other 4 children. Lynelle did everything for her children. Her family ALWAYS came first. The collection was something special that was shared only between Crystal and her mom.

Many years passed and we celebrated her birthday in style up at Flying M Ranch. We danced away the night and had so much fun celebrating her birthday in April! She deserved it! A fun night to celebrate HER and only HER! Breck did an amazing job getting it all set up in her honor! There was even a band there that played her favorite songs! I will never forget. :)

Two months later I received a phone call in the wee hours of the morning from her cell phone. I answered quickly as to find out of something was the matter since it was early. It wasn't Lynelle. It was her husband Breck informing me that she had fallen asleep and died on the couch in the night. Without going into too much detail .....my world fell apart. The children were alone. These children that I loved so much did not have their mom anymore. It was almost to much to bear. I spent countless hours with the family, during the service, viewings, etc. These kids loved our family and we loved them. It far surpasses the most devastating thing that has ever happened to anybody I know. A loving, family torn apart by an undiagnosed Congenital Heart Defect. Interesting that Riley had just conquered heart surgery a year earlier and his little life was spared. Stupid CHD's.

Many , many years have passed and this little tiny girl Crytal has turned into an adult. She has a keen interest in Riley and has spent hours and hours with out little boy. When she was in high school she did her senior project on children with Down Syndrome. She loves him unconditionally and everybody in her small town already know all about Riley and most have never met him! She talks about him all the time. And she has a soft spot for children with Down Syndrome.

While getting ready for our recent fundraising yard sale, Crystal mentioned that she would get some things together to sell at the sale. To bring in money for Riley's Service Dog. She brought her ARBA Tattoo kit, knick knacks, piggy banks, you know...just a lot of stuff. Then sitting in a big tub was her Dalmation Collection. She said that it had been sitting in the shed since there was not place to display it and that she would like to donate it for Riley's Sale.

During the sale, Lynelle's sister Laurie arrived. I hadn't seen her since Lynelle's service 4 years ago. We started talking, tears flooded my eyes as I still have a hard time when I talk about it. Laurie shed some tears and we shared some laughs about our beloved Lynelle. We talked some more. We were very quiet. Just Laurie, Maxine and I. She asked if that was Crystal's dalmations collection. That there were things in there that she had bought for her. I told her that it was and that there were things that I had purchased for her too.

About 15 minutes later a woman who was shopping with a baby girl asleep on her shoulder walked up to me. I had never met this woman before but we had briefly chatted when she had arrived at our sale. She proceeded to tell me that she would like to purchase every Dalmation item that was at the sale. ANYTHING Dalmation. A little shocked I helped her gather the huge bin full since her arms were full with her sweet baby. There was tons of stuff. We walked up to the cashier and she softly stated that she would like to give us $100 and that she would like me to give the Dalmation collection back to the young girl who lost her mom. That she had overheard our conversation and she couldn't believe the selflessness of this girl named Crystal. Who gave her PRICELESS collection to help a little boy. She must have overheard me saying that this was one of her last links to her mom. What an incredible random act of kindness.

The next day as we were sitting around the table during the sale eating our lunch Laurie showed up again. (Crystal's Aunt and the woman I was talking to the previous day about her sister that we missed so much) It was a perfect opportunity. I started retelling the story and told Crystal that a woman came and bought her entire collection. She had a happy, yet distressed look about her. I then told her about the $100 dollars and that I have the entire collection set aside for her. The whole room went quiet. Tears again formed. We cried. Crystal cried. Crystal doesn't cry! She is a tough cookie. This girl is so special to me. Not only her but her brother Matthew, and sisters Ashley, Kaitlyn and Kelsie. I don't know if they have any idea just how much they mean to me. Possibly it is that last link to their mom who I love and miss? I just know that I would do anything and everything for these children. I have taken them under my wings and call them mine.

And to the woman in the red car with the precious baby girl on your shoulder. I wish I knew who you were to thank you. I was in such shock that I missed when you left. Should you read this blog....please let me know. You are such an inspiration.

With a full, happy heart.

Sarah

Time for an update!

Between fundraising and school starting things have been hectic. We had a family member pass away last week tragically, leaving time sparse.

School starts tomorrow for the kids! Thursday for Riley. We are so excited to have him in Kindergarten. A little scary since he was so "safe" in Sherry and Cheryl's classroom at the EI Preschool. We will see how Thursday goes for him. Cheryl from his preschool has arranged to join him at his new school to transition him into class! This means so much to us. She truly his an angel to our little boy. It will be so fun to have three kiddos at the same school this year! Time flies......

We have had an overwhelming response to Service Dog for Riley. It is unbelievable. Donations coming from people we don't even know, cities we have never heard of, etc. Some have addresses some don't. I am not sure how we will ever personally thank everybody. I don't think it is even possible. I do have to tell you all though. We had an anonymous donation come in last week. I do know it is from a local person though. We actually had three that day. One for $20. One for $5. And one for $5,000. I am absolutely NOT Kidding you. We were shocked. My husband and I just sat there shaking and teary eyed. In disbelief. To the person who did this for our young son. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts. This is just unbelievable. True selflessness. I am unsure how to thank you besides a thank you card to your P.O. box. Please know that we are so very grateful. You are awesome.

As I mentioned earlier, things have been hectic. With school starting, memorial services, yard sale clean up. And believe me....the clean up has been horrendous. We were so completely exhausted that we are just now feeling like we are done with the aftermath of the sale. We still have some tables to return and a few tarps etc. Then we will be complete. What a success it was though. It was definitely worth it. I just had NO idea that it would be to this extent!

We won't be getting our puppy until after the New Year now. It is only a few weeks later than we originally hoped but I thought I would let you all know! We will continue on being patient! Can't wait for the day though.

All is Pawsible came out the other night to finish our registration into their school. Three service dogs in tow and the kids went crazy! They loved it! Two standard Poodles and one Golden Retriever. Riley was all over them. It was really hard since we are trying to teach him to respect a working SD. He thinks it is playtime where one of the dogs was in vest and working. It will be so nice when he gets him own dog. :)

We are still awaiting news of the next fundraiser. Will update the website when we find out. Stay tuned!

S-

A HUGE Success!

Riley wanted to try to be the Coyote!
Coyots Joe's Sign

The massive amount of STUFF. This was on the last day too! :)


The highlight of the entire sale for Riley. Teacher Cheryl came to see him! He squealed in delight as he spotted her across the yard! She stayed and ate lunch with him. She is definatley and angel to him. We love her dearly. I doubt she would ever know how much she has done for us.

Driving down 99W! Tiffany and friend

Cheryl and Riley
We love this woman.

Abby's Pizza sign!

Matthew as the Coyote and Kaitlyn as the Chicken! :)

It rained. Twice. Hard. Maxine being the crazy lady we love! She later graduated to a huge, horrible, floral, plastic hat! :) Gotta love her!

Coyote Joe hard at Work!

Well here I am, over a week later blogging away. What a week it has been. We spent every day since last Sunday outside from early in the morning until 1 am (at least) outside. Sorting, arranging, tossing, pricing, thousands and thousands of things. At last our sale was ready to start! It covered our entire front yard and driveway (which is not small) and was overflowing into the street. By friday....we were beat. I could not believe that our sale had not even started.

Friday was a complete success, then onto Saturday, and Sunday. We sold and sold and sold. We had some people coming up and driving by just handing donations. We had people buying Team Riley Jam for $10 a jar. Or buying a Hershey Kiss for $20! It was a humbling experience. I am still in shock over it.

There is no way we could have done it without the help of some very dear people. If I forget somebody I will apologize now. We are still trying to recoup! :) I will try my best to remember everybody who played a part in this.

Linda and Pat Sattler

Trisha Jennings and Butter

Mrs. Sandy Sattler

B, R and M Sattler for loaning their precious Mommy time and Daddy's truck

Tiffany and Angel Olea and family

Xan and Shelbee Sattler

Rachael and Greg McKinley

Sarah Moore and Family

Maxine and Bill Mullholland

Reed and Keri Prince

Crystal, Matthew, Ashley, and Kaitlyn Meyer

Sara and Breck Meyer

Tiffany , Dawn and Brittany Lenard

The Sweat family

The Wilcox Family

The Wong Family

The Peebles Family

Terry Williamson

The Methven Family

Robyn Peterson

The Hall family

The Rice Family

J. McCormick and Family

Pat Smith

Tim and Laura Feighery

Merriley Smith

Shelley Harding

The Kim Family

West Coast Bank

Sunshine Cleaners

Abby's Pizza

Newberg Fire Department

Chehalem Park and Recreation District

Newberg Hardware

Newberg Merchants
Lazer Quick

French Twist Salon

Fred Meyer Bakery

Coyote Joe's

The Newberg Graphic

Marc Willcuts

my dear husband and children for bearing with us, eating at strange times, late bedtimes, and dealing with pure craziness for a week.

And all of the neighbors, friends,strangers and family who donated, spread the word, dealt with nightmare traffic on our street or came to our sale! We could not have done it without you!

THANK YOU!

We will never forget this experience. Not only because it was so time consuming and such hard work to pull off. But the lessons we learned, the tears we have cried, the pure exhaustion, the laughs, the sleepless nights, and the new friends. What an emotional experience. We are so very blessed.

I have a couple of stories that I would like to share from this experience. Heartwarming, tear jerking stories. I will NEVER forget. I will share them next time!