B U D D Y W A L K   2010 is September 12, 2010 at Potter Park Zoo in Lansing, MI.  We hope you can all come out and walk with us on "Brady's Buddies" Team. 

Well here we are now in 2010!!!  Buddy Walk is just around the corner... so I hope you are ready to celebrate what this year has brought Brady!  He is now 3 and walking like a true toddler.  Here are some of his highlights from the year...

• Since the last Buddy Walk, he was just begining to actually take steps independently and did the bear crawl mostly
• Since January 2010 he has been walking independently 95 % of the time! Well now he is almost ready to step it up a notch... watch out!
• He graduated from the Earl On program and moved right into the Early Childhood Developmental Delayed program at Lockwood Elementary School in Eaton Rapids
• He is signing many words and beginning to say words.  His favorite words to say "DAD, and MOM" and "HI"  all with a great big smile and arms open wide for a hug!!
• He loves his big brother Cody and tries to keep up with him in all ways!  He is so energetic and loves to share his hugs and high fives or knuckles with anyone who is willing to take one
• Brady loves to wave hello to the all the children who get off the buses at school.  He enjoys seeing the American Flag flying high as we enter the school daily (A true American showing his pride!).  He also is very fond of Mr. Kevin the fireman (who made a special appearance at his birthday party) Mr. Kevin is also the maintainence man at his school.  Don't forget his teachers Ms. Barb, Ms. Stacy and Ms. Nancy too!
• He attends Hippotherapy (horseback riding) at the Eaton Special Riding Program through the Eaton Intermediate School District (EISD) as well as at CHUM (Children and Horses United in Motion) program in Mason, MI.  At CHUM he rides with Bonnie DePue, OT and loves all the horses in both programs.  He gets really excited when he knows we are going to see the horses.   He was awarded a ribbon and an award from Dorothy Childs at the Eaton Special Riding Program as this was his first time riding in this program, and he rode the horse all by himself (with side walkers of course and everyone gets a ribbon at the end of the session!)
• He also receives Physical therapy with Ms. Kari, Occupational with Ms. Kim and Speech therapy with Ms. Jenny and Ms. Doreen, at school.  He has made great strides in all areas of development.  One of the major areas is his walking but also his cognitive skills.  He is amazing in what he can do and understand in the classroom.  He met many new friends and looks forward to continuing in the same class in the 2010-2011 school year.  There he will have some new friends and one of them being another child who was born with Down syndrome!
• Brady's health has also improved.  He had several visits to the doctor for various colds and respiratory infections.  However and very thankfully... NO hospital stays!!!  We are so thankful for improved health day by day

We are proud to see him blossom in his 3 yrs.  We are also very grateful to the Capital Area Down Syndrome Association for being a network of support great organization to be a part of.  I have been serving on the Board as the New Member Coordinator.  This gives me opportunties to meet new families and help them too get connected with others who are experiencing the joys and challenges of a child with special and unique needs. 

Brady has benefited from the scholarship funds for the last few years.  These funds help to provide horse-back riding, music therapy, physcial, occupational, and speech therapy for his development.  We have also met  many new families and friends that will be there unconditionally for us and visa versa.  This is an important part of our lives and we feel blessed to be able to share Brady with each of you too.

The Buddy Walk is CADSA's largest event of the year and brings in the most finanically for the organization.  Would you consider a  special donation in honor of Brady or memory of someone you know who has Down syndrome? 

We would also enjoy having you coming out to walk with us through the Potter Park Zoo and participate in the many planned activities for the day.  Save the date September 12, 2010!!!!  The activities and walk will run from 12pm- 4pm.  The walk through the Zoo will start at 1pm.  Share this with others, pass it on, and make a difference in the lives of those who were born with something a little extra... a chromosome (Trisomy 21)!!!  Learn more about CADSA at www.lansingdownsyndrome.org

Brady's Buddies will have our very own special t-shirts.  So email Dawn for more details and let her know the size you would like for the event.

Let's make this year a time to remember and raise at least $1500.00 as a team!!! I know we can do it!

PS.... for those who are ambious and wish to raise money too,  you can start a fundraising site too!  Or just have people go through this site www.firstgiving.com/dawntomlin. If you wish you can also mail Dawn a check made out to Capital Area Down Syndrome Association.  You can learn more about CADSA by visiting our website at www.lansingdownsyndrome.org and come see CADSA on Facebook, and become a fan!

We also have a blog you can see photos,  updates and various inspirations from the Tomlin household from the last several years.  Visit us at www.tomlinblogspot.com

From your Best Buddies,

Brady and Family (Ken, Dawn and Cody!)