Come and RUN!!!

So I am running in my first race as an adult really soon and this little cutie below is the reason.  I can't think of a better way to get my bootie kicked either:)  Please visit and read THIS blog - it is SO amazing what this little guy can do from what he was "expected" to do.  He has come so far but there is so much more help he needs.  I copied the story for you to read below and you can click on the info. and get to the blog from here as well.  This is for a great cause (and friend) and anyone who loves to run and lives in Davis County should come join me - we would have a blast!!!

The Reason

In case you are wondering why I am so
passionate, whyI am so persistent, 

and why am I committing more time 
and money than I have to give?

This is why.

  “Profoundly Retarded”

     Those were the words that would resonate after
 the cold and blizzard-like
 February morning my life forever changed. No
 words of comfort were given; 
no meaningful gestures or signs of hope, just
 cold-hearted terms and grim 
medical statistics.

My husband and I were strongly encouraged to
 terminate the life of our baby 
boy – our boy. We were told his life was going to 
end regardless and would
 have no quality even if he made it to term. 
In fact, we were lead to believe 
his life would be a disservice to humanity
 and to our families’ lives.

     You don’t prepare for something like this.
You can’t. I did not sign up on a
roster sheet and volunteer to have my heart
 torn to shreds. Albeit, life happens,
 and we get to make choices; choices that
 ultimately determine our consequences,
and choices that allow us to learn, grow and
experience worlds we were not aware
existed.

Blair and I made a choice in that moment;
 a decision of our hearts. We knew without
 a doubt that this boy was ours, and we prayed
 that we would be able to hold his body
 and kiss his cheeks. We didn’t care about
 his nose, or cute little funky toes…we just
 wanted to be given the opportunity to love
 him.

     During the months that followed, test
results were given and we discovered Deakon
 had an extremely rare Chromosomal
 abnormality, simply titled Ring 18.
Basically,the second chromosome in his
18th pair had broken at the ends and formed
 itself in the shape of a circle. Needless to
say, hours upon hours were spent on the Internet;
reaching for any beacon of hope I could find.
 During my search, I stumbled across the
website www.chromosome18.org, and read
the following mission statement:

Our mission is to help individuals with
 chromosome 18 abnormalities
 overcome the obstacles they face so they
 might lead happy, healthy and 
 productive lives.

     I don’t remember exactly, but I am nearly
 positive I cried. What a difference this
 statement was in comparison to the words the
 specialists were choosing to use. 
Through this website and its’ resources, I
 was able to connect with families who had 
children with Ring 18  and other chromosome
 18 abnormalities. Pieces of my heart 
began returning, and hope was beginning
 to be restored.

     Deakon is now nearly five…FIVE years
 old. He is beautiful and happy and sweet 
natured. He freely gives kisses and 
whispers, “Mama, I la ya (I love you.)” 
In fact, rare a morning goes by without me
 hearing it. Deak loves music, especially the Black Eyed 
Peas, and lives for his favorite TV show,
 Yo Gabba Gabba. He crawls around, creates 
mischief for his amazing big sister, Abby,
 and walks like he has something to prove in
 his awesome green walker.  In fact, his 
physical therapist says it is only a matter of 
months before he is walking on his own.

     

     Deakon’s life is anything but a disservice
to our family, and Deak is anything but
retarded.  He is an example of who I wish
I could become.

     Although Blair and I had made a
 choice, I am forever indebted to the Chromosome
18 Registry and Research Society for the
 restoration of Hope that was given to my broken
 heart. I am so grateful for the positive
 attitudes and assertive drive that began medical
and genetic research twenty years ago.
 Medical research in an area that is considered
 non-commercial and unprofitable; Research
 through which my son was advised to
 begin medical growth hormone treatment
 that has drastically improved his life.
The connections I have made with
 families, through the aid of the registry have been
 life and sanity saving. They are
 family…sealed with a Chromosome 18 gift.

     That is why I am choosing to raise
 funds for this charity, and for my son.  
Without the families of the affected
 children fundraising, we would have nothing.

         

     We are so excited to spread awareness
 and earn funds for a cause that is clearly
 so dear to our hearts, and appreciate 
the opportunity the city is giving us to do so.

With Love,

Jenny Howe and Family

Click HERE to get to the race info.