Best Buddies Tennessee Champion of the Year

a Paul for Silas
Best Buddies TN Champion of the Year 2010 Campaign

Since our sweet Silas came along, Jeff and I have been trying to navigate the Down syndrome world in the midst of just getting through this year of having 3 children under the age of three. We hoped to identify an organization very much plugged-in to the mainstream but also meeting specific needs of people like Silas. There are some great organizations that specialize in medical needs, research, or even political advocacy.

We heard of Best Buddies soon after Silas and Stewart were born and found ourselves drawn to the organization because their focus is primarily on relationships. Jeff teaches public school in a county that prioritizes a mainstreamed education for students with disabilities. Thus, he teaches students with disabilities and his largest concern for them is loneliness. We are thankful that our Silas has Stewart and Anna, but we pray that he will also learn independence and build friendships of his own one day.

Anthony Kennedy Shriver founded Best Buddies to foster one-to-one friendships between people with and without intellectual disabilities at all stages of life. Best Buddies is based on a chapter or club system in schools and communities and facilitates this based on simple things like shared interests. The Tennessee office was opened in January 2010 and has opened six new chapters this year including two high school chapters. We want to see TN continue to grow and we need your help!

I’m excited to be participating in a fundraising campaign called the Best Buddies Champion of the Year 2010 and Jeff is my campaign manager. Twelve volunteers are attempting to raise as much money as possible in an 8-week period starting September 17, 2010. In addition to this letter, we are hoping to host a few fundraising events in the Nashville area. We are also tasked with identifying sponsors and auction donations for the culminating event of the campaign on November 12th where the Champion will be named. If you know of a business that would like to partner with us, please let me know!

On to the good part…how can you help? GIVE!!! Our campaign goal is $10,000! I know! The goal is overwhelming but I decided, if I’m going to compete, I’m going to go big. And more importantly, if you help me meet my goal, lives will be changed! Here’s how to donate…

1. ONLINE! Go to the website at www.bestbuddiestennessee.org/champion and click on our campaign link to donate. (Debra Myrick is at the bottom of the candidate listing.)

OR

2. US Mail. Send your check to me (email me if you need my address) made out to Best Buddies Tennessee with "Debra Myrick" in the memo line (don't forget this part!).

Please donate by October 15th. I thank you for your gift and one day Silas will thank you for your gift.

Also...please feel free to share this info with all your friends! If you host a blog, please consider adding a link to our page and asking your readers to contribute to our campaign!

we are so blessed,

debra

Nine Months

These sweet ones will be nine months old on the 1st. Unbelievable! While they keep me very, very busy, I can't imagine life without them.

Stats

Silas
Weight ~ 15 lbs 2 oz
Height ~ 26 inches

Stewart
Weight ~ 17 lbs 4 oz
Height ~ 26 inches

Yes, they are the same height!
More to come on what they are doing.

so blessed
d

Silas

Silas and Stewart are 5 months old! CRAZY!!!!! We love these little guys so much.

This is all about Silas. I hope to get pictures of Stewart later today.

Silas is amazing. He is a true source of peace in our house. Just look at his sweet face! He has the cutest dimple on the left side just under the corner of his lip. Too cute!

Things he is doing...

• rolling from back to front
• holding his hands at midline (bottom picture)
• smiling at mommy, daddy and sister
• cooing and laughing
• sitting in the bumbo seat for about 5 minutes at a time
• has great head control when being held upright
• trying to roll from front to back (he makes it to the side but just can't get all the way yet)
• recognizes his bottle (opens his mouth as soon as he sees it) and holds it or my finger while eating
• sleeps through the night
• is an automatic sprinkler...he gets me at least twice a day. :)

We are so blessed to have this little guy in our family!

d

Cuteness

Silas is starting smile and "talk" to us. You can not help but fall in love with this little guy. Who can resist this smile...

He really is too cute.

so blessed

d

From a Friend...

Brennan Manning wrote in a book about an Epsicopal priest named Tom Minifie who had a Down Syndrome daughter. While conversing with another couple who's child had Down, and they were obviously upset by his behavior in church, Tom said, "We have four other children, so we know the blessing that kids can be. Yet the most precious gift we've ever received in our entire lives has been Sylvia. In her unihibited expression of affection, she revealed to us the face of God as no other human being ever has. Did you know that several Native American tribes attribute divinity to Down's children because in their utter simplicity they're a transparent window into the Great Spirit? Treasure this child, for he will lead you into the heart of God."

Just Thinking...

Life is perfect with the boys home and Anna home. It is crazy, but perfect.

Millions of thoughts and "to dos" are rushing through our heads. First, just trying to schedule the days and make sure all three are fed. :) Second, trying to think about the next steps regarding Silas and his maturing.

What I have found is that it is difficult to put into words all the emotions that were felt the first few days (and even now in silent moments) after learning that Silas has Down Syndrome. Friends have been so encouraging and we have learned we are not alone in our new journey. We received emails about friends of friends who have children with Down Syndrome. While at the hospital, a friend's sister delivered a son and like us, found out he has DS. A week later, friends called and they had friends in town visiting friends who had delivered a son at Baptist and were told he has DS. Isn't God gracious?! He has put us on this journey and introduced us to parents who have just started the same journey. He provides in all circumstances.

We met with one of the couples this past Monday. They are precious people and we look forward to living life with them as a result of Silas and their sweet son. They sent us this link of a couple in Memphis who have a son with DS. Andy is a pastor in Memphis. Their story is a little different than ours in that they knew of the DS before the birth and their son experienced complications that fortunately Silas has not. However, their words and emotions are ours...exactly! I haven't been available to speak to many of you, our dear friends. If you get a chance to watch this video, you will get a glimpse into what Jeff and I have been feeling and thinking. (it is about 10 minutes in length) Cooper's Story

We are costly to our God; we have nothing to offer Him; And He loves us completely and gave everything for us. (Andy's words)

so blessed
d