I have been running for about a year and seven months. Running has become a passion of mine! I love it and cannot seem to get enough. About a month ago my cousin approached me and asked if I would be willing to run the Chicago Marathon for a charity. I thought she was a tad crazy because I was not sure if I was ready or not. After some consideration I decided that I was ready and that if I was going to run for a charity, running for one that meant something was the way to go. I am running for my cousin Natalie “Nat”, who has Down syndrome. I am running for a foundation called Research Down Syndrome (RDS).
RDS supports scientific studies directed towards understanding the sources of cognitive difficulties in persons with Down syndrome. RDS believes in the promise of a future where therapies will be available that will help improve memory, learning and communication in persons with Down syndrome. This will lead to increased life opportunities in education, employment, and social interactions.... perhaps a future where persons with Down syndrome might be able to live independently. Please join with the RDS Runners as their miles help RDS fund research that already has made extraordinary progress.
Here is Nat's story- On January 9,2010 the world welcomed Natalie Louise Phillips. She was perfectly healthy and out to prove the doctors wrong. Every time they told us what to expect with her diagnosis of Down Syndrome (poor muscle tone, lack of head control, low stamina, inability to breast feed) she would astound them all with her girl power attitude. She was (and is) the light, in not only my family’s world, but in all who meet her. Everyday I am astounded at the people who come up simply to tell us how they want to meet her. This almost always ends up in them getting a hug and kiss from her. She has opened up many doors for us to speak to people about Down Syndrome in schools and at church. She has a very full schedule of speech, occupational, physical and developmental therapies. She loves to nap by the pool, play in the yard and try on hats. She enjoys using her sign language along with her wonderful speech. Her favorite words are “sissy”, “mommy”, “daddy”, “paw-paw”, “maw-maw”, “cheese”, “potato chip” (sounds nothing like it) and her newest sign she made up on her own is for “BACON”!! Got to love a girl who loves bacon. We are so very blessed to have the support of all our family, friends and Natalie's therapist. A big thank you to Stephanie for doing this in her honor ...we love you!! We thank everyone for their support.
http://www.crowdrise.com/rdsrunnerschi2012/fundraiser/stephanierogers1
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