Larkins Team
Many of you know I have taken the "Plunge" in the past! How poetic that this year I have someone close to my heart to do it FOR and WITH! Our daughter Larkin was diagnosed in November with Down Syndrome. Chase and I are doing this for her and all of her peer's that may one day be athletes. Please join me at Lake of the Woods and take the "Plunge" with Chase and me. Yep the water is "knock the wind out of you cold" BUT it is worth it when you realize just how little effort can make a giant impact with Special Olympics!
Adding to the fun are the following people who are PLUNGING with Chase and me. Starting with Jack Johnston and Connor Mapes. Both boys are great friends with Chase and love Larkin as if she were their sister. Jack's reply when he heard how cold the water is, "I'd do anything for Larkin" Keep in mind that Jack and Connor are 9 years old and Chase is 10. Makes you have faith in our youth!
Angie Hatfield. A big thank you to Jim Turner for letting the girl have a 1/2 morning off! Everyone play along with Angie when she says that Larkin is HER baby. We like both our girls to be happy! Fairy Godmothers are the best kind to have anyway!
Parham...no last name necessary. For those of you wondering if you should come to he lake and watch him plunge, one word...SPEEDO!
Some words that may help you understand what we have learned from our child:
It may feel more like a curse sometimes, but having a child with special needs brings with it abundant opportunities for grace. It slows you down and allows you to enjoy the little things -- a calm quiet day, a hard-won skill, a spontaneous hug, a pleasant conversation. Where other parents are driven to find their children's success in high grades and high scores on the playing field, you are granted the privilege of focusing on the things that really matter, teaching your children how to love and care and communicate on the most basic level. You know what's important, and because you're not caught up in trivialities you are able to appreciate that so much more deeply. Miracles happen every day, if you only know where to look for them.
If you are not comfortable with donating via the website and want to use a check, I will be more then happy to pick up the check from you or you can mail it to my home! Thank you for visiting my "Plunge" fundraising page. They say anyone with a little guts and a warm heart can take the "Plunge" and I am one of those folks. I'm collecting pledges from family, friends, co-workers and anyone else who wants to support Special Olympics Illinois athletes. Your donations will help provide athletes with intellectual disabilities the chance to participate in sports training and competition. To reward your generosity, I'm going to join an expected 2,000 people statewide who will voluntarily jump into freezing cold water in the middle of winter as we take part in the Law Enforcement Torch Run Polar Plunges for Special Olympics Illinois. Donating through this site is simple, fast and totally secure. It is also the most efficient way to make a contribution to the Law Enforcement Torch Run Polar Plunge for Special Olympics Illinois Many thanks for your support -- and don't forget to forward this to anyone who you think might want to donate too!