Thank you for visiting my “Plunge” fundraising page.  I am about to begin training and fundraising to participate in my 3rd Super Plunge!!! I will be plunging into frigid Lake Michigan 24 times in 24 hours... Oh and I have to live in a tent too!!  I am doing this to raise funds and awareness for the Illinois Special Olympics Program. Last year Team Crazy for Cole  raised  approximately $10,000 for Special Olympics Illinois and our team keeps on getting bigger and bigger.  This year our team has grown to 7 participants crazy enough to plunge into  cold and chunky (with ice) lake Michigan 24 times in 24 hours. This year we would love to out do last years total and raise $15,000.00 as a team.

Why am I doing this again???  I am the proud mom of Cole and Owen.  Cole was born 8 years ago with Down syndrome and about a year and a half ago was diagnosed with Autism too.  There are days that are challenging.. ok most days are challenging, but there are great moments in each day that are wonderful.  Cole has taught me to have fun, (there is nothing more fun to Cole than a car ride listening to hip hop music)  laugh (there is no one funnier than Burt, Ernie and Cookie monster) , be prepared, (don't leave the house with out extra clothes)  expect the unexpected (if you leave the house without extra clothes, you will have to buy new ones)   and nap when you can (who really needs to sleep at night, the party can go on for 22 hours!!!) .    As I begin my training  I am realizing Cole has been preparing me for this event his entire life!! 

Lesson 1.  Have fun and laugh!   I have fun doing this every year.  I meet great people, see friends I don't get to see often, and laugh every time I go into the water.  Even in the middle of the night when the snow is flying sideways someone is giggling and making each plunge fun.  Last year Jason and Dwayne made each plunge an event!

Lesson 2.  Be Prepared.  The Plunge is not an easy thing to prepare for, yes we get a list of suggested items to bring, but you really do not know what to expect.  Last year I was able to sit in a bathing suit, pajama pants and flip flops most of the night, the first year I was in my sleeping bag  wearing a coat, sweat pants and heavy socks trying to keep warm.  I also was not prepared the first year for all the tasty food donated by local vendors and brought by plungers.  I learned to bring Tums the second year to battle the heartburn from eating so much!!  Oh and Dwayne did forget to bring a towel one year to the plunge... It is really not easy to air dry when the air temperature is in the 20s....

Lesson 3.  Expect the unexpected!  Last year upon arrival at the lake there was 2 inflatable 3 foot pools filled with water because the lake was frozen solid.. eventually the ice was broken and there was a small hole for every one to walk around in a circle (or dive if you were crazy like Dwayne and Jason).  There actually had to be support staff breaking ice for us to go in every hour and individuals to scoop ice chunks out of the lake so plungers would not get cut by sharp ice chunks. Thank God also for the medical staff who cares for us during our plunges.  They do provide bandaids for cut legs, advice for crazy jumpers (Jason) and they have a defibulator on hand in case anyone needs it.  (no one has needed it yet!!)

Lesson 4.  Nap when you can.  This is a big area of training Cole has worked on with me!!  Thanks Cole!!!  The Plunge really is 23 to 24 hours of being awake.  The first year most plungers and support members were awake all but one hour.  The alarm was set for one hour and it was used.  I remember the quiet in the tent for one hour only other than that people are up having fun or snacking.  Last year I do  not remember anyone sleeping or missing a plunge!  I successfully stayed awake 24 hours and was ready for more until I laid down in the hotel.  (Anyone who really knows me knows about my love for sleep!!)  

All these lessons really do come in handy when training for the plunge!  I will use each and every one of them and remember who taught me them and helps me out with my year round training!

All joking a side Special Olympics has touched our family.  They were there when Cole was born giving us support and a glimpse of what Cole's future might be like.  They gave us hope when others said Cole would not do something.  The organization has also allowed us to meet some really amazing people.  We also had an unbelieveable  experience with Cole this summer when he and Dwayne lit the cauldron at opening ceremonies to start the Illinois summer games.  The moment was one of my proudest moments ever and it will never be forgotten.  Although Cole has aged out of the young athletes program we still are using the skills taught through the program to prepare him for future participation with the Special Olympics and sports.  His gross and fine motor skills have improved since starting the program and his social skills and language have made huge gains! 

Please consider supporting Special Olympics Illinois with a donation to me for the Super Plunge.  You can donate through this safe site, donating through this site is simple, fast and totally secure. It is also the most efficient way to make a contribution to our fundraising efforts.   You can mail me a check made out to Special Olympics Illinois (if you need my address let me know)    There is no amount too small, each and every donation counts toward our team goal and goes toward year round training and competition for Illinois 22,000 Special Olympics athletes.  Thanks again and please forward this on to anyone who you think may be interested in joining our team or making a contribution!   

To see Cole and to see some pictures from last plunges visit:

http://www.onetruemedia.com/shared?p=8165517f295476f96a2d48&skin_id=601&utm_source=otm&utm_medium=text_url

Thank you to my off line supporters:

Mary Beth Perkins  25.00  

Elaine Savage   20.00

Super Bowl Squares  $100.00

Bud and Eleanor Rector 50.00

Martha M. Belluschi   50.00

Heyl Royster - $130.00

WJOL Auction - $225.00