For "my" Ladies, and Yayas............

you know who you are. Transcending: Words on Women and Strength by Kelly Corrigan

Remembering Annette and the 2007 Indiana Buddy Walk

Today is the 6 month Anniversary of our friend Annette's death. In honor of Annette, I submitted an article for our DSI Buddy Walk Newsletter, as the request was to provide an article about what the Buddy Walk meant to our families. While I could have written about how I brought Nash to our first Buddy Walk in 2001 when he was 6 months old, and I was just overpowered with anxiety, fear and joy and all of the aforementioned emotions, I chose to write about one magical Buddy Walk; last year in October of 2007. My draft: Buddy Walk 2007 and Memories of Annette Our family consists of three, plus a few hundred or so, since the birth of our son Nash in February 2001 thanks to the members of the IDSF, now DSI family, and those we have met via internet support boards. When Nash was born, and his diagnosis of Trisomy 21 official, we bought books, cried a bunch, loved on our son, and went on-line. My support was my loving husband Jeff, our families, a box of tissues and a group of gals originally on a parentsplace.com Down syndrome board, which later evolved into the tri21online.com discussion group. On this board, I was able to somewhat covertly discuss my fears, dreams and issue-of-the-day, share my love of internet research and my findings to all those that will listen, make some friendships that still, to this day, feel stronger than genetic family ties. The strength of the bond among those of us with children with Down syndrome is inexplicable to those not officially members of our exclusive club; those with a family member with Down syndrome. The strength of this bond was evident at the 2007 Buddy Walk. Annette Lammer and her husband Tom became friends with Jeff and me via the internet in early 2001 when Annette and I met on-line. Their son Ryan also has Down syndrome and is Nash’s age, born within a week of each other. Our friendship grew as we shared triumphs and disappointments, and finally met each other in person. These meetings are known as “IRL’s” in the online communities, or “In Real Life” meetings. The IRL’s were held in various locals, and the last one with Annette was at our home in Indiana for the 2007 Buddy Walk. We had over 80 people attend the IRL at our house in Noblesville after the Buddy Walk from all over the country, including Annette and family from Canada. But I knew this was much more than an IRL. It was a gathering of friends for Annette who all share that special bond of having a child with Down syndrome, as we didn’t know how long we would be blessed with her friendship and presence here on earth. Annette was diagnosed with synovial sarcoma in February 2006, five years from when her son Ryan was born. She passed away on December 16, 2007, just two months after that wonderful gathering at the Buddy Walk. So you see, the Buddy Walk is a special event for many of us; a place to gather family, friends and those special in our lives. It’s for educators, therapists, friends and family to show their support for Down syndrome Awareness. It’s an event to celebrate, and for us that knew Annette, to remember. And we will be doing just that for the 2008 Buddy Walk in Indianapolis. Celebrating and remembering. We hope you all join us! Annette at the 2007 Buddy Walk- God Speed Annette, we miss you. Annette and family on the right at the end Please leave a link to your Buddy Walk or IRL experience in your response for us to enjoy, expecially if it pertains to our much loved, much missed Annette.

Tarenne's family visits!

We so love Nic and family! They truly do feel like close, family- the good kind! I love these pics of Nic and Joe....They are such amazing parents and a wonderful couple to hang with. and the gang at the slide! and Nic and Darrah checking out Ricky Raccardo, who we found out is really Ricki Lake! and the best....a kiss!

more news on B-Rad

More on Brad Henfefer, aka B-Rad! Amazing Man Gets TV Gig Brad Hennefer, 19, of Cherry Hill, has many mementos that document his basketball and golf abilities. Thursday, January 31, 2008 By CELESTE E. WHITTAKER Courier-Post Staff CHERRY HILL The Hennefer family gathered in their cozy "golf" room Wednesday evening, downstairs in their Cherry Hill home. In one corner are prominently displayed newspaper clippings, a jersey encased in glass, trophies, medals and other items belonging to their son Brad. They could not have imagined 19 years ago when Brad was born that today he would be a four-year member of the golf and basketball programs at Cherry Hill High School East, and a media darling to boot. Brad, who was born with Down syndrome, and his parents, Nancy and Bob, and older brother Bobby are scheduled to appear on an upcoming segment of Good Morning America in New York, possibly as soon as Friday morning. He is an example of a young man who has not let a disability get in his way of accomplishing great things. "From a very young age, we made the decision that we were going to provide him with whatever opportunity that we could and assume that he could do things," said Nancy Hennefer, whose son started kindergarten in a regular class in the Cherry Hill school district. "We never went into anything with the attitude that he couldn't do it. We wanted to expose him to things and see what he could do. "This is the thing: You have to let them try it. You have to give them the opportunity. Once you open up that door, he will walk through it. Cherry Hill East opened up that door for him." Brad can't wait for his TV appearance. "It's going to be great," said Brad, who had 15 points on five 3-pointers in a scrimmage against Rancocas Valley earlier this season and has made baskets in regular season games as well, including his team's final points in Tuesday's game against Washington Township and a 3-pointer against state powerhouse St. Patrick's. "My basketball team was great, my teammates, and coach (John) Valore, he's a good coach. He taught me well." Bob Hennefer couldn't be more proud of his son, and also gives praise to the Cherry Hill East principal, teachers and coaches, namely Valore. "John Valore has been remarkable, the way he teaches," Hennefer said. "We attribute everything to his teammates, his school staff, coaching staff. They've just been phenomenal. Thinking outside the box to create an opportunity for Brad. His teammates, they all treat him like he's family. It's just inspiring. "We didn't think a lot of stuff was going to happen, but it's just about creating opportunities. Brad does well. He's a visual learner. He learns a lot from his teammates and he just keeps going. It's a tribute to the school and his teammates, what he's doing. His teammates also have learned a lot from Brad. They see it's a lot of hard work. We learn about stuff every day from Brad." The family even started a foundation in Brad's name -- The Brad Hennefer Golf for Life Foundation. The brochure says while many "junior" golf programs end at age 18, "we are committed to providing a lifetime of golf opportunities for individuals of all ages with Down syndrome." Brad's older brother Bobby came downstairs to chat about his brother on Wednesday evening. Bobby played collegiate golf at Franklin & Marshall and recently earned his PGA Tour card. Not only did he let his little brother tag along with him at the golf course, but he's been his Special Olympics partner as well. "I played sports all my life," Bobby Hennefer, 23, said. "Golf was one of the things I liked to do most. At a young age, I took him out to the golf course. He mirrored my swing, got to know it. I helped him out and he ended up being pretty good. We had a lot of fun. I'm extremely proud. This is awesome." Said Brad Hennefer about making his national television debut: "I feel like I won't be nervous, but I'll be happy." Reach Celeste E. Whittaker at cwhittaker@courierpostonline.com

2007 IDSF Buddy Walk and IRL !- Get It Down 31 for 21: Post 13

thank you all that traveled so far to see Indiana, the 2007 IDSF Buddy Walk, and each other. Over 2000 attended the Buddy Walk and raised at least 100K. It truly was amazing seeing all the families that met via the internet, and gather for the Buddy Walk and tri21 IRL. A few pics. and how fantastic is this..Nash's Principal of his elementary came and walked! The Dash with Nash team Daddy and son... the group at our house after the walk, with a cookout, hayride, exotic animal feed and fun!

Talking with Your Child's Peers about Tri21- Get it Down 31 for 21: Post 9

On a side note, Happy 8th Anniversary Big Dawg! I love you! Last week I talked to Nash's class about October being Down syndrome Awareness Month, and I talked about "differences" (red hair, blond hair, blue eyes, brown eyes) and Down syndrome, but these guys are getting too smart. I asked questions and got "Why is it called Down syndrome"...first grade. And Nash's aide didn't even know! So my bud Nicole had her annual talk to her daughter's class today, and had difficulty as her daughter is so, so perceptive, and got upset about some of the questions of "Why can T do _____" over and over... So Nicole, being the wise mommy, asked our friend Dave at Chewing the Fat for some pointers for her next talk about Down syndrome to our childrens' class. Here are his tips. Thank you Dave. Getting Ready I know you've done this talk often but I wonder how much you involve Tarenne in the preparation. Sitting down with her and going over what you're doing, asking her permission to share things, preparing her for the questions that might be asked, giving her a way to be involved - Once There Whenever I do a session for people with disabilities I lay out a couple of ground rules. You could do that for question time ... Rule One: Ask question about ability. Rule Two: Try to avoid using the word 'can't' or 'won't' in your question. Alternately, have a bucket with pre-prepared questions, the one's you've always hoped they'd ask and have them pull them out and ask the question. (I use this all the time.) You may well have other ideas ... You already know from my blog, I remember you commenting, that I don't like the 'write a sentence with the wrong hand' kind of thing because it focus' on disability and feeling sorry for someone rather than identifying with the struggle. Why not ask them questions like how many have trouble with fractions? how many can't spell worth a darn? how many can't draw? Every time they put their hands up ask ... does that stop you from laughing, from running, from playing ... no, it's just having difficulty with learning. That's all Down Syndrome is, it makes it harder to learn

Nash sings Happy Birthday to.......

Well, Nash called Emma Sage on her 6th birthday, and alas, he got her answering machine. So we recorded the message...but somehow, perhaps because he felt slighted, Ashley- another girlfriend-popped into the song.... hmmmmmmmm But he still asked Emma to call him at the beginning and they later talked so all is patched up now.....I was just so surprised he popped in another girlfriends name I couldn't compose myself! Happy Birthday ES! Photo Sharing - Upload Video - Video Sharing - Share Photos

The Mole People

Nicole's Emery and Marley had the flu during our SigningTime IRL and were banished to the basement. Here they are trying to escape......cuties!

Its SigningTime Weekend!

We had 12 friends and children visiting at our house from Canada, Michigan and KY, about 750 in attendance and had a fantastic time! Thank you Rachel and Signingtime!

More Rocket Balloons

More Balloon fun!

Oh Look, its Jeff Gordon!

. he came up from the Mole People to say HI!

SigningTime Weekend!

Join us in pictures from our SigningTime weekend, and IRL with Annette's family from Canada, Nicole's family from KY, Lisa and Lily from MI and of course, the loud Huffman family!

Now its time for US!

The Tri21 gals IRL weekend Jan, Nicole (mom to 4 gals including Tarenne) , Annette (mom to 2 boys including Ryan) and Lisa (Lily's mom)

Nash on Stage at SigningTime

Do you know the colors of the Rainbow? He was ORANGE

Nicole, and family with ST Rachel

Darrah and Tarenne had a great time!

Annette, DH Tom, Ryan and Curtis

at the SigningTime event in Indianapolis!

don't tell T

Nothing but air

Rocket balloons are a hit with Nash, Curtis and Darrah!

Nash giving Lily a sippy