Down Syndrome Buddy Walk

Dear Friends & Family,

September 16, 2009, Dr. N: “I want to tell you this before any of the nurses say anything to you.  I think that your daugher has Down Syndrome.”  A few hours after giving birth to a beautiful little girl, these are the unexpected words we hear.  Our little daughter whose name we had not even settled on now had a label.  Down Syndrome. Trisomy 21.

On Sunday October 24, 2010, my husband, daughter, and I will join hundreds of others in the Central Texas area to bring about awareness and raise money for the Down Syndrome Society of Cental Texas [DSACT] by walking in the Down Syndrome Buddy Walk.  By making a pledge to our team “The Ellie Bears”, you are supporting the acceptance and inclusion of people with Down Syndrome of all ages. This walk is also in association with the National Down Syndrome Society [NDSS].

We have a personal stake in this particular event.  Our beautiful daughter Ellie has DS.  Not only do Andrew and I want to help her, but also the many other children & adults with DS along with their families.  

Approximately one child out of every 700 live births has Down Syndrome.  A recent study suggested that up to 92% of fetuses with a possible diagnosis of Down Syndrome are aborted.  A person with Down Syndrome happens to carry an extra chromosome--the 21st chromosome.  True, they may be slower at accomplishing tasks and slower at development, but they do indeed develop the same as everyone else.   People with Down Syndrome are sons, daughters, aunts, sisters, uncles, brothers.  They can have gainful employment, get married, and be contributing members of society. 

Our goal is to raise at least $500 this year.  The funds raised will go towards local programs such as school inclusion towards secondary & post-secondary school options, support groups, and on a National level, health care research and legal policies.  Please help us reach that goal and show your support for Ellie with your pledge.  Your donation is tax deductible. To donate, you may visit the link below

http://www.active.com/donate/buddywalk10/ellietheurer

If you wish, you may contribute your time in participating in the local  1-mile Buddy Walk on our team “The Ellie Bears”.  This walk features hay rides, petting zoo, and a Joe McDermott concert.  To register for the walk, please visit the link below and click “join an existing team” then  join “The Ellie Bears”.

http://www.active.com/running/georgetown-tx/11th-annual-down-syndrome-association-of-central-texas-buddy-walk-2010  or visit http://www.dsact.com and click “Register Online”

The Theurer family thanks you in advance for your support. Every little bit helps our cause. Please contact me with any questions or comments about the Down Syndrome Buddy Walk.  I can be reached at (512) 401-0053.

You are more than welcome to circulate this letter to friends, family, coworkers, and neighbors.  Any help is much appreciated.

Sincerely,

Anna, Andrew, Ellie Theurer

The Ellie Bears

We need your help now!  Help The Ellie Bears with DS Awareness and the Buddy Walk on 10/24/10!