People are placed in our lives for a reason. We often hear this, but sometimes we get to experience this to where we KNOW it's true. That's what happened to our families.
Little did we know that back in 2009, when our families met through the preschool our children attended (and still attend - a shout out to Edgewood Preschool Cooperative!), that we were being placed in each other's paths for a very special purpose. We were going to need each other in a few years...as we were both going to embark on a new, wonderful journey...one that includes a beautiful, wonderful child with an extra chromosome.
The two adorable children you see in the photo to the right - Ashton Pero (born 2/5/2010) and Lauryn Buechler (born 8/21/2010) - have brought our individual families immeasurable joy. They've also brought together our two families to experience a truly special bond/relationship - one that has added an infinite amount of love and trust to our lives. Our children (Pero's four and Buechler's five) have a connection with each other that is awe-inspiring. From the moment they met (which was just over two years ago when both families were back at EPC with a "next" child), they were drawn to each other - instantly knowing, understanding, accepting and loving all that the other family encompassed.
We probably would have been friends regardless...but the friendship our families have developed and the bond that we share because of an extra chromosome (times two) is one that has been enhanced by a little boy named Ashton and a little girl named Lauryn. They brought us TOGETHER...
TOGETHER 21...T21...
(T is also for Trisomy...Trisomy 21...get it? Pretty nifty play on our "logo", huh? :) )
Both Ashton's and Lauryn's families have been participating in the Buddy Walk for the last couple years. This year, we decided to combine our teams - Ashton's All Stars and Little Lauryn's League of Awesomeness - to share in the excitement of the Buddy Walk and to come TOGETHER to raise even more awareness about Down syndrome and our belief that we are more alike than different.
Please consider joining us in our T21 efforts! We'd love for you to join us at the Buddy Walk on Saturday, October 13th at 12:00 pm. Let us know if you'd like to walk, and we will make sure you get registered on our team!
If you are interested in making a donation to Down Syndrome Indiana in honor of Ashton and/or Lauryn, you can do so right on this page! Donating through this website is simple, fast and totally secure. It is also the most efficient way to support our fundraising efforts. However, if you'd prefer to make a donation in person, please contact us and we can make sure your donation gets to DSI, and that it is made in honor of Ashton and/or Lauryn.
To learn a little more about Ashton and Laury individually:
ASHTON: To learn more about Ashton and his family, click HERE.
*Note: If you are an Ashton's All Stars fan, you are able to make a donation on his individual page. The amount will go towards TOGETHER 21 combined efforts.
LAURYN: To learn more about Lauryn and her family, click HERE.
*Note: This page has "taken over" for Lauryn's Little League of Awesomeness page. As a result, family/friends are no longer able to make a donation on her individual page.
We have a hefty goal this year - $3000.00! We think we can do it...
TOGETHER!
Many, many thanks for your support in advance! You are all wonderful and we love you! Feel free to forward this to anyone who you think might want be interested in making a difference for T21!