This photo was taken at one of Ben's t-ball games and shows the pure joy that he displays whenever he is doing something he loves. Sports of any kind will usually bring out this expression or one of pure determination. Way to go Ben!
This blog lets you keep up with the W family. Our three boys are John and Noah who are college students and Ben, who is growing quickly and in high school. He has Down syndrome, Autism and Celiac disease, and sure makes life interesting.
Showing posts with label NDSS Times Square Video. Show all posts
Showing posts with label NDSS Times Square Video. Show all posts
Wednesday, August 13, 2014
NDSS Time Square Video
Once again a photo of Ben has been chosen to be shown on the big Sony Screen in the heart of Times Square in New York City as part of the video that kicks off the National Buddy Walk. It will be show on September 20th at about 9:00 am central time. We are both humbled and honored for a photo of Ben's to be chosen again this year. There were over 2000 photos entered and only 200 were chosen.
This photo was taken at one of Ben's t-ball games and shows the pure joy that he displays whenever he is doing something he loves. Sports of any kind will usually bring out this expression or one of pure determination. Way to go Ben!
This photo was taken at one of Ben's t-ball games and shows the pure joy that he displays whenever he is doing something he loves. Sports of any kind will usually bring out this expression or one of pure determination. Way to go Ben!
Saturday, September 21, 2013
Times Square NDSS VIdeo
Today is the Buddy Walk in New York. To kick off the walk and Down syndrome awareness month in October, they just showed a video on the Sony screen in Times Square with photos of individuals with Down Syndrome from all over the world. For the second straight year, Ben's photo was chosen to be included in the video. One day we will get to go and experience the New York Walk in person. But for now we are very grateful for Earthcam and especially the fact that this year they focused the camera directly on the Sony Screen. What a great way to see the video for the first time. I will post the full video as soon as it becomes available. But for now here is a screen shot I took from my computer, showing Ben on the big screen! Technology is so cool
Our own local Step Up for Down Syndrome walk will be held on October 5, 2013 in Lincoln. If anyone wants to support Ben, either in person by walking or by donating to our team Ben's Brigade, please visit our team page by clicking here. You can also see the photo of Ben that was shown in Times Square up close. Thank you to everyone who has already supported us!. Because of your generosity, Ben has earned all three of his fact poster that will be displayed along the Step Up Walk route, and becuase we are in the top ten for number of walkers, his photo will be included in the 2014 DSAF calendar. We are humbled by all the love an support we have been give by all our family, friends.
Thank you!
Thank you!
Tuesday, July 30, 2013
NDSS Times Square Video
I am proud to announce, for the 2nd year in a row, that Ben's photo has been chosen to be in the video that will be shown at Times Square in New York City, to help kick off the National Buddy Walk on Saturday, September 21, 2013.
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Ben is a little brother, of two big brothers, who love sports. In his young life, he has already been to more baseball, basketball, and football games as a spectator, than some people will attend in their entire lives. While at his brother's baseball games, he loves to wear his umpire mask, squat down behind the fence and call balls and strikes with the umpire. He has caused more than one umpire to turn around, ready yell at the person contradicting their calls, and you can instantly see the smile appear on their face when they see who the culprit is. Sometimes they even come over to visit with Ben between innings, which makes his day.
He is no different with basketball as you can see here.
I knew it would be huge for Ben to get to play sports like his big brothers, but the reality did not hit me until he got home from his the first night of practice. He ran in the door, gave me a huge bear hug and exclaimed, "Mommy, I a baseball player"! This was the first year he was old enough to play, and was on our local t-ball team with his typically developing peers.
Did he need some extra help getting lined up to bat and getting his helmet on? Yes. Did he need some help staying focused in the outfield, when no balls were coming his way? Yes. Did he need help keeping track of his hat and glove? Yes. But so did a lot of the other kids. Did he need help hitting the ball, running down a grounder or knowing where how to run the bases? No. He had paid enough attention at some of the other games to know what to do.
So the next question is how did photos of Ben get selected 2 years in a row to be one of the 200 chosen to be in the video when there were over 1,100 submissions?
I have a theory.
The purpose of the video is to promote the value, acceptance and inclusion of people with Down syndrome. Unfortunately there are lots of people in the world today who don't realize that individuals with down syndrome are more like everyone else than they are different. The first 4 years I sent in the cutest possible photo I could find, but none where chosen. Last year I chose a photo of Ben playing his brother's drum set, because I thought it showed a person with Down syndrome doing something that many people would not realize they were capable of doing. This year I chose the baseball photo, since it showed how much enjoyment he got from being included with his classmates.
My husband and sons wanted me to submit this photo instead.
It was taken just after the first photo and they felt it showed Ben's determination to hit the ball. While I do like it too, a Mamma's heart almost always goes with the smile, and since I was the one sending it in, I got to choose. By the way they also wanted me to point out that the pink bat was not his.
To view last year's NDSS Times Square Video click here. Ben is at 14:35.
.jpg)
Ben is a little brother, of two big brothers, who love sports. In his young life, he has already been to more baseball, basketball, and football games as a spectator, than some people will attend in their entire lives. While at his brother's baseball games, he loves to wear his umpire mask, squat down behind the fence and call balls and strikes with the umpire. He has caused more than one umpire to turn around, ready yell at the person contradicting their calls, and you can instantly see the smile appear on their face when they see who the culprit is. Sometimes they even come over to visit with Ben between innings, which makes his day.
He is no different with basketball as you can see here.
I knew it would be huge for Ben to get to play sports like his big brothers, but the reality did not hit me until he got home from his the first night of practice. He ran in the door, gave me a huge bear hug and exclaimed, "Mommy, I a baseball player"! This was the first year he was old enough to play, and was on our local t-ball team with his typically developing peers.
Did he need some extra help getting lined up to bat and getting his helmet on? Yes. Did he need some help staying focused in the outfield, when no balls were coming his way? Yes. Did he need help keeping track of his hat and glove? Yes. But so did a lot of the other kids. Did he need help hitting the ball, running down a grounder or knowing where how to run the bases? No. He had paid enough attention at some of the other games to know what to do.
So the next question is how did photos of Ben get selected 2 years in a row to be one of the 200 chosen to be in the video when there were over 1,100 submissions?
I have a theory.
The purpose of the video is to promote the value, acceptance and inclusion of people with Down syndrome. Unfortunately there are lots of people in the world today who don't realize that individuals with down syndrome are more like everyone else than they are different. The first 4 years I sent in the cutest possible photo I could find, but none where chosen. Last year I chose a photo of Ben playing his brother's drum set, because I thought it showed a person with Down syndrome doing something that many people would not realize they were capable of doing. This year I chose the baseball photo, since it showed how much enjoyment he got from being included with his classmates.
My husband and sons wanted me to submit this photo instead.
To view last year's NDSS Times Square Video click here. Ben is at 14:35.
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