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Contents: A Trip to The Boston Marathon For those of you who know my family, you know my husband is a marathon runner who also reads three papers a day. And so today two days before the Boston Marathon he purchased the Boston Globe. For those of you who know me, it is frequently said and perhaps true that I am a workaholic. So two days before the Boston marathon, I sit at a laptop overlooking the city at the Back Bay Hotel and I am delighted to share an article with you from the Boston Globe written by staff writer, John Vellante. It's entitled "Giant Steps" with the subtitle "marathon - the latest goal in a life of challenges." It's a beautiful story about Katie Lynch, a twenty six year old whose life has been one challenge after another. And all have been met with courage and dignity. Another one awaits when she begins the start of the Boston Marathon walking 26.2 feet - a piece of cake for most but a monumental effort for a woman weighing 35 pounds and measuring 28 inches. Katie Lynch was the first of three children born to Chris and Joan Lynch and Joan admits "she was some opening act." Katie continues to receive rave reviews. Despite a unique form of dwarfism and loose connective tissue that has led to numerous life threatening medical problems and surgeries, Katie faces each day undaunted and with a smile. She graduated with honors from Wayland High (in Massachusetts) where she managed the girl's track team. She went on to graduate summa cum laude from Regis College. Currently she is employed at Boston Children's Hospital as an advocate for children with medical needs and their families. She is a highly sought-after motivational speaker. Most of all she is an inspiration to all who meet her, one who with pride says, "No one is disabled, everyone is just differently abled." When Katie was born the initial prognosis was mental retardation and early death. Both proved wrong. Katie attended public schools where she was popular with her peers and integrated into the community. Whether it was a walk for hunger or a run for the homeless, you could count on Katie to be there. While attending college she championed the cause of individuals with physical disabilities. In an independent study for economics with professor Edward Mulholland, she studied other colleges to improve the physical plant at Regis. "When I first met her," said Mulholland, "I remember thinking, 'I don't know if Katie will make it.' I saw only her limitations. When I think back to my initial thoughts, I am ashamed." It took Katie seven years to graduate. As her name was called, two classmates lifted Katie from her wheelchair and she walked five feet across the stage to receive her diploma. Her action was a well-kept secret that surprised her two younger brothers and parents. No one is really surprised that Katie is running the Boston marathon. In preparation she has trained diligently. Six times a week at Children' Hospital she undergoes 30 minutes of water therapy and an exercise program designed to strengthen her legs. The plan calls for Katie to begin her 26.2 foot walk at 10:10 am. Her goal is to finish by 10:25. And just as many marathoners start and don't complete the race, Katie worries that she may not finish her walk. Chris Lynch marvels at all his daughter has accomplished. "Katie is a great human being whose spirit and success have taught us much about life. It goes way beyond pride. It's about keeping keep life in perspective and being humble. I spend a lot of time, and her brothers will tell you this, too, realizing that Katie is a source of strength to us." And just so you know the rest of the story, Katie was successful in completing her marathon. What Lekotek Means to Me My name is Amy Ballew and I am a junior at Norcross High School. I have been doing fun things at Lekotek since I was little. I met Miss Helene, my Lekotek leader, before I was one. Once a month she gave me lots of toys to play with. I didn't realize it then, but Helene chose certain toys that would help me learn all kinds of things. I learned shapes, numbers, colors and letters. My speech improved as I talked about what I was playing with and my ability to use my hands also improved. I even learned how to walk with a toy car that we borrowed from Lekotek. It had a handle on the back and made noise. I pushed it all over the house on my knees until I got tired of that and stood up. I walked all around the house with that car because I loved the noise the car made. Lekotek helped my mom and dad too when they had questions or wanted to know about programs that could help me. Even my brother liked coming to Lekotek and was a volunteer at Lekotek summer computer camp. I have done many things with Lekotek - overnight camping trips, summer computer camp, Happy Tails pet therapy, Lekotek runs and now my most favorite, computer club where I play computer games and have pizza with friends. I hope I never get too old for Lekotek because it is so much fun. I am thankful for everyone there. (Amy is a youngster with Down syndrome who attended her junior prom and participates in school activities with her peers.) Golf Tournament To Fund The second annual Lekotek Golf Classic was a huge success raising $51,500 thanks to the generosity of presenting sponsor Lou Perez with Check Mate Staffing Solutions and leader board sponsors Michael and Noreen Antonelli with AIM Systems. Additional sponsors included: Proud Foot Consulting, AGA Insurance, Deloitte Consulting, The Family of Ross Cooper, Maslia Foundation, Northeast Meats, Violette Restaurant, Alexander Hamilton Institute, Long, Aldridge & Norman LLP, Timothy O'Shea DDS, Richard Bowers & Co., Charles Schwab, Cosentino & Associates, PMI (Precision Medical, Inc.), Valentino Sales, Executive Resource Group, Sprint PCS, Berry Realty, Trinton Sprinkler, Sign Central and Wachovia. Held at the beautiful championship Smoke Rise Golf & Country Club, 92 golfers were on hand for a great day of golf and camaraderie. Proceeds from the tournament will make it possible to expand services to children on the waiting list at the Alpharetta satellite. We look forward to providing services to additional families and making a difference for children with disabilities who do not have time to wait. Participate in Lekotek's Ninth Annual Silent Auction and Fun Run Mark your calendars for Lekotek's 4 mile roadrace/racewalk and 1 mile Lekotek Fun Run to be held Saturday, September 8th at The Concourse Athletic Club. All participants will receive long sleeve cotton T-shirts with trophies for all age groups and medals for all children participating. Burt and Ernie from Sesame Street have never missed a run and children always enjoy activities with Fulton county firefighters welcoming them aboard their fire engines. The silent auction will be held at the Athletic Club beginning Wednesday afternoon, Sept. 5th through the 8th. Items will include sports memorabilia, restaurant brunches, dinners, overnight hotel stays, resort getaways, services and gift certificates from local vendors. The board of directors and staff have begun solicitations to businesses for auction items and race sponsorships. All donors will receive recognition in printed materials and will be recognized race day. Please let us know if you can help by:
Pop Quiz: Match the Toy to it's Story 1. Play Dough Click here to see the answers to the quiz. Spreading Smiles ..... Happy Tails As elementary school students, we can remember the class rabbit or guinea pig and hoping it might stay at our house during winter vacation or spring break. Happy Tails is a nonprofit organization specializing in pet assisted therapy, benefiting children and adults with visits to hospitals, nursing homes and schools. Hospitalization can be traumatic and may bring about physical and emotional challenges for the child and his family. Research indicates that pets in the hospital relax more than just the patient. At the University Hospital in Utah, therapy animals regularly visit the surgical waiting room, an atmosphere filled with tension. For children and adults anxiously awaiting loved ones to come out of surgery, the presence of pets has been shown to dissipate tension, ease stress and offer a pleasant distraction. Animals in psychiatric facilities, detention centers and shelters can address depression, loneliness and low self-esteem. In some cases, children who will be called to testify are taught, outside the courtroom, to speak in the presence of an animal. When called to testify the animal may be in the courtroom to help the child feel more comfortable. Individuals can unload their problems, fears and concerns without fear of being judged. Indeed animals are always good listeners, never give bad advice and are always supportive. Courtrooms are a unique example of pet therapy. At Lekotek, the bunny, cats and dogs that visit and perform tricks bring lots of smiles. Kids who frequently do not speak are verbalizing commands to the dogs. Children with physical disabilities are developing fine motor skills as they groom and feed the pets. Happy Tail volunteers and their pets are frequent visitors to Lekotek and we appreciate the warm smiles they bring. Software of the Month: Barney software is a favorite among young children ages 2 to 6. Navigating through Barney on Location children can visit various sites of the town, play games and discover hidden surprises. At the Fire Station, they'll play hide and seek finding keys described by color, clean up tools by matching their shapes, place missing parts back on the fire truck and dress up as firefighters. In the Bakery, fine motor abilities are required to catch the toast popping out of the toaster. While being the baker, the child bakes delicious pastries, decorates cakes and matches baked goods. In the Park, children have opportunities to play ball, find butterflies, match animals and build sand castles. Each location has a sing-a-long section. The child can also print pictures to color, dots to connect and hats to make. This program is great for all Barney fans (and we see lots of them at Lekotek).
This program is made by Hasbro and is available by calling their toll free number, 1-800-683-5847. The program can also be purchased at local stores. Answers to the Toy Quiz 1b
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