Passionate About a Park

Yesterday I was invited to give a 3 minute presentation at the Rotary Club of San Jose.  I was honored.  San Jose's Rotary Club is among the largest in the nation.  You can imagine how many people want to connect with the Rotary Club and present ideas, and so, there are very strict rules and they don't let people in very often.  However, because Sweatin' for Sammy is raising funds for the Rotary Playgarden, I was invited to attend and speak.

I really did feel honored.  The large conference room was packed.  And my time went quickly.  I was there to introduce to the Rotary Club at large what Sweatin' for Sammy is, but more importantly, to share why I feel so passionately about the Rotary Playgarden.  I knew that most of the Rotary Club was enthusiastic about their park project, but I was also aware that there were a few who weren't convinced this park was for the betterment of the entire city and they were swaying others.  This was an opportunity for me to share how important I felt this park was for everyone, and to speak from my heart.  That, I did.  I was surprised that my emotions got the better of me not once, oh no, but TWICE.  It was fine.  I just choked up a bit.  But that was completely unexpected, but it all worked out.  This is basically what I said:

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(I thanked them for allowing me to be there with them...and then........)

Sweatin' for Sammy started as an event to benefit my daughter.  Samantha was born with a very rare genetic condition and so, as you imagine, we live the special needs life ... doctors, specialists, therapies, seizures.  But it's also a life filled with joy, love, and miracles.

I'd like to share with you why I feel so passionately about the Rotary Playgarden.  Let me share a little of my background to explain.  Before Samantha was born, I was a high school teacher.  In my education classes in college, I remember being taught that if we use methods in our classroom that support our struggling students, then all students would benefit.  And so, when I got my own classroom, I tried to use a variety of teaching methods.  By the end of the year, what I discovered was that those struggling students improved academically, but they also gained confidence.  My high-achieving students not only continued to receive good grades, but because of the methods used, they were also given leadership opportunities and gained important social skills.  Lives were changed in a classroom.

I compare that with the park you are building.  The Rotary Playgarden will be built in such a way that ALL children, ALL families in San Jose and surrounding cities will benefit.  Without this park, the same children and families will continue to fall through the cracks.  So, we build sensory stations, we have sand, water, and music play.  We have more high back swings and ground made out of different material...and more.  The kids who can't play at our parks within the city now can explore and interact with the world around them.  While your average neurotypical child...he just loves going to the new cool playgarden -- a place where while they're having fun they gain greater awareness and compassion.  I have found that people who have little interaction with special needs are uncomfortable around those individuals who are different than themselves.  But the more interaction they have with then, the more comfortable and connected they feel with those members of our community.  I feel this is more than helping a few families, but this is about knitting our entire community together.  Lives will be changed in this playgarden.  It's these inclusive play experiences that create leaders...this is the rising generation, interacting together, in an inclusive environment.  

This is the park I have dreamed of for my family.  A place where we can all run around an play.  This is the park that my paraplegic friend has dreamed of for her family . A place where her wheelchair can roll alongside her boys who laugh and play. 

We are excited about the Rotary Playgarden here in San Jose, and that is why we are proud to be supporting it and helping to raise funds.

And then I explained Sweatin' for Sammy a bit.

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It went well.  I got a lot of great feedback that I was able to take back to our committee.  I love Sweatin' for Sammy and what it's becoming. I love that we have this way to take care of Sammy's needs...but the fact that we are growing and are able to support other projects and help other families...it's really exciting.  I say that all while holding my breath because we still need people to register in order to make money, but I have faith that it'll all come together and April 20, 2013 will be an amazing day.

Anyway, my overall objective was to draw people to our event and raise money.  Every registeration counts.  Every $1 donated counts.  And, on April 21 we'll be adding it all up.  (sigh)  It's nerve wracking, but also really really fun and exciting.

When You Know Her

Recently, I've read two articles in two different newspapers, written by two very different people...about Samantha. 

The first article was written by a local journalist who writes for the local paper here.  Her articles are picked up and published in the San Jose Mercury News.  She's been a writer for a long time.  Though I didn't know her personally, my experience with her was very pleasant.  I was touched by her kindness and sincerity.  As I've posted earlier, her article can be found here. 

Then, just a few days later, a second article was published in The Eleight -- Leigh High School's newspaper.  This article was written by a senior who writes a column about her senior experience.  I don't know how long she's been writing, but she's talented and has a bright future.  I happen to know this journalist personally, and my experience with her is always pleasant.  I am constantly touched by her kindness and sincerity.  She goes above and beyond what others would think of as "nice," "generous," "thoughtful."  She takes after her parents that way...they're an awesome and poweful force...this incredible family.  Her article can be found here, and it's worth a read. 

There are some similarities in these 2 articles:
* The subject: Samantha
* The plug: Sweatin' for Sammy 5k
* Some back history

However, as nice as both the articles were, Ms. Sydney Black's was just so touching to me.  Why?  How is it that a senior in high school could evoke such emotion from me?  Naturally, I was touched that this person I knew had such strong feelings about Samantha...but that's just it.  Sydney knows Samantha.  She plays with her.  She helps me with therapy.  She holds her and comforts her.  She sees her every Sunday and throughout the week.  She's part Black, part Green. 

And it's made me think: what happens when we get to know people?  For me, I become more invested -- especially if I like ya -- and more attached.  I feel more deeply.  An article about a situation/story/or little girl can be touching.  But when it's written by someone who knows her...when you know her...it's just so much different.  And...that's made me think.  Don't we all have someone in our lives that we just wish people would take the time to know?  We think when you get to know her...if you'd just take the time to know him like I do...you'd see.  You'll fall madly in love with my little girl when you know her.

Anyway...just some thoughts swirling around the 'ole noggin tonight.  I'm feeling very grateful for my friends, and for strangers, who already are falling in love with Samantha...and I sincerely hope that they'll all get to know her on a different level one day.  Possible?  Probably not.  But a mom can still hope.

Still True

January 2009

I wrote this post for Kidz a little bit ago.  It was posted today.  Over the course of a few weeks, I have certainly had my rough days with Samantha.  In fact, just the other day I was so frustrated getting her dang Theratog on her...she kept grabbing the velcro and pulling off those tabs before I could move on to the next part.  It was frustration beyond belief!  But, I have to say, in spite of her stripping off her theratogs as I try to put them on, I'm convinced Sammy's pretty close to perfect, and I still believe every single thing I wrote in that little blog post.  She's an angel.

Great Expectations

I've been thinking a lot about my expectations for Samantha. Do I expect less from her because of her condition? Do I expect less from her because others do? Shouldn't I, as her mother, have higher expectations than others do? I've thought a lot about this recently and wrote about it. I decided to share it with Kidz because I thought, maybe I'm not the only one who has experienced some of this...the fear of expecting too much and then getting "hurt," or struggling with how much to expect. You can read it here.

Appreciation

Today I was inspired by my friend who's living A New Kind of Perfect. Her post today reminded me just how grateful I am, and I wrote about it over at Thru the Tulips. It's good to have friends that remind you of all those good things in life. Thanks friend!

This Mare Eats Oats

Maren, a friend of mine from back in our BYU days, is a fantastic person. Our paths crossed for a short time at school, and we reconnected when I moved out to California. She lives not too far away, and it was fun to know someone in the area. When Maren's daughter was diagnosed with Rett Syndrome, I remembered what it was like to get the news that my life was going to change forever. That I was entering the "special needs" arena. I felt a different connection with her ~ and her attitude, her realness, her drive and determination have made me respect and love and be in awe of her even more.

Recently Maren asked a group of women to share "How I Do It." She asked li'l 'ole me to be one of those women. I was flattered. Today, my post is up on her blog. I have written about Samantha many times, but I've never sat down to think about her and our life in these terms ~ how do I do it? It was good for me to write. So, go on over and check out This Mare Eats Oats...and while you're there, check out the other stories. They are truly inspirational.

Thru the Tulips

I was asked to share our story on Thru the Tulips. Feel free to check it out.


Also, this month my friend, Maren, has invited several friends to share "How They Do It?" How they survive their various trials. She extended the invitation about a month ago, giving time for them to think and properly write down their thoughts. They all have been so touching to read. If you have time, it's worth going over to read these inspirational stories by such amazing and strong, faithful, incredible women. I feel like I've been made better by just reading their stories. It's worth the time.