On Saturday, September 25th Noah, Cody and I participated in the annual Buddy Walk for the Down Syndrome Association at the AT&T Bricktown Ballpark. We were members of Olivia Tatum's team called "Olivia's Monkey Munchkins'. We were all decked out in our team shirts ready to walk for kids with Down Syndrome! It was a beautiful day to support Sweet Olivia and her family.
This was our first time to participate in the actual walk. We planned on being on Olivia's team last year, but a death in a friend's family kept us from 'walking', so we were just sponsors. This year we were sponsors AND members! The Buddy Walk is a great event. It is absolute free. All around the ball field were various booths about health and education information for special needs kids, carnival games, a petting zoo, pony rides, moon bounces, clowns making balloons, face painting, raffle tickets with fabulous prizes (we didn't win.) and of course, ballpark food - yummy! It is an incredibly heart-warming and accepting atmosphere, too.
Local OKC heroes were there handing out fire safety info and doing demonstrations. Noah AND Cody felt right at home. :)
Events started at 11 am. The walk started at 1 pm. Tons of yellow and blue balloons were let go to signify the walk had begun. There were tons of people walking in support! There were at least 30 people just on Miss Olivia's team. Two students with Downs from my school were also there. It was great to see their families. And Cody's captain, Jonesy, was there supporting his niece, Payton. Olivia's Monkey Munchkins are in black shirts. Olivia's mommy, Amanda, brought tons on purple balloons for the kid members to carry and a giant Monkey balloon tied to Olivia's stroller. It was very festive!
Every child got a medal as they crossed the finish line. Noah is so proud of his! The walk is half the length around the outside of the ballpark. Maybe a half of a mile? It isn't very long, but enough to make a big statement that all these people care about kids with special needs!
At the finish line, OCU cheerleaders and the band were rallying up the crowd. Each child's name, or team name, was announced as the teams crossed the finish line. Olivia walked the finish line hand in hand with her mommy and daddy. It was an incredible, happy moment!
Thank you, Olivia, for inviting us to be a part of your team! We are SO proud you! We love you, your sister, Sophie, and your mommy and daddy! We can't wait to be on your team again!
