Dear Friends and Family,

The past two years, Jonathan has been involved in one-on-one therapy at the Bell Center where one of us sat in on his sessions while one of four therapists would work with him. We watched/participated and then repeated the exercises at home.

This year, Jonathan is in a group therapy setting where he is learning practical skills: sitting at a table on his own to do activities and eat a snack, interacting with other children, playing house/cooking, staying seated while in Circle Time, pointing out his picture, signing words, saying words, bending his knees, and brushing his teeth. When Jonathan was born, we could not envision him at this point at two years old. We never thought he would be capable of all he is doing.

Even though Jonathan has Down syndrome, often his behavior is more typical than not. He screams when he doesn't get what he wants, he throws food if he doesn't like it, he taunts us by dangling food over the floor at mealtimes, he is a picky eater, he pinches and slaps his brother, and he hates getting his teeth brushed. He is a wild man but we love it because, again, his behavior is just like any other two year old.

The Bell Center has certainly taught Jonathan skills. More importantly at times, the Bell Center has been a safe place for us to come and be reminded that we are not alone. It has been a haven, a place that often reveals to us that Jonathan's behavior is driven by being two rather than the Down syndrome. It is like having your own cheerleading squad - you might feel defeated coming in but you leave rejuvenated and thinking positively.

The Bell Center will always occupy a special place in our hearts. Jamie and I, along with friends and family, are running on relay teams in the 2008 Mercedes Marathon on behalf of Jonathan to raise funds for the Bell Center again this year.  Our team is composed of family and friends from church: Julie, Jamie, Jim, Drew Cundiff, Courtney McCrory, and Brooks Souders. Friends of ours from Warren, Averett, Kimbrough, & Marino that are running as well are: Josh Reidinger, Steven Causey, Joseph Cawood, Jess Smith, and Ann Sisson.

Please support us by donating to the Bell Center for children like Jonathan and for parents like us.

Thank you in advance for your donation!

Sincerely,                                                                                                                          Jamie, Julie, Jackson, and Jonathan