Spreading Awareness...Part Two

Today's gift is the second part of spreading awareness.

If it wasn't for my daughter having Rett Syndrome today never would have happened.

My daughter has not only touched the lives of her friends, but their whole families. One of the mother's of one of her really good friends approached me about five months ago to say she wanted to plan a 5k/walk/kids fun run for my daughter. I was deeply touched then....

....but blown away today!

My daughter has introduced me to so many incredible people, who many I call a good friend. They are sincere, honest, real, understanding, and thoughtful. When they say they want to "plan an event", they not only do it, but they give it 120%.

The run/walk was fun....cold.....but fun. At least I can say this as I didn't run the event.

We had close to 200 people (adults and kids) running and walking the event. Seeing all these people gather in one place, for one reason...my daughter was touching to see. I would say about half did not know what Rett Syndrome was before they signed up for the race. Raising awareness is so important as it is a rare disorder and many times girls get misdiagnosed with Autism or Cerebral Palsy.

The amount of support we had did not just stop at the participants, but all who donated...whether through a service, volunteering the day of, or as a sponsor for our event. Our community support was outstanding!

Spreading awareness and helping my daughter is very important to me. I'm beyond touch when someone else feels the same way.

Seeing my daughter's friends there to not only cheer her on, but run by her side in the fun run, was heartwarming. Equally as heartwarming was seeing friends there who I haven't seen in 15+ years!

There were so many favorite moments today, however, I think my favorite is ....she won her own 5k! Our good friend called us last week and asked if he could push her in the race. I said absolutely! I was taken back a little as our friend is a serious runner and I didn't know if pushing all 60 pounds of her would mess up his time. I am sure he didn't care about this....as it was little challenge for him....and he loves challenges!

If the "extra" 60 pounds slowed him down any.....no one noticed as they had a lead the whole time and were the winners! At the end he put the medal around her neck....this was a special moment for all of us!

I was deeply touched by everyones generous interest in our cause. Seeing our family, friends and even complete strangers run/walk for my daughter and others like her made me proud. Proud because we were raising awareness on a cause so few have even heard of....proud because my daughters (both of them) friends were being an active part in raising awareness for their friend....proud because I know my daughter is changing lives...one...girl (or boy!)...at a time!

I want to thank my daughter for teaching me how to spread awareness for her by being her cheerleader every step of the way.

Some pictures from the event....Thank you to tMoOT Photography, The Magic of Ordinary Things!!!!

Instead of quotes here are some more Rett Syndrome facts....

Rett Syndrome is a potentially REVERSIBLE disorder.  Research has proven once protein levels are back to normal levels, symptoms subside

Researchers at Harvard, Baylor, UVA, Weill Cornell, Emory Salk Institute, University of Edinburgh and dozens of other top-notch institutions are delving into Rett Syndrome.

Not only will their work help thousands of girls and women worldwide, but their  findings have a direct impact on research on Autism, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, Alzheimer's and many other disorders.

In essence, our girls may hold the key to a cure for millions of people suffering from dozens of disabilities.