Friday

If your "Why" is strong enough you can do anything. My "Why" for this endeavor is gaining support for the families supported by DSACO.

I obviously have a son with Down syndrome. He has taught me more about life than I've ever taught him. Through my son I've been blessed to know many other individuals with Down syndrome and other special needs. I've learned every one is an individual and they often see the world in a much different way than me or other "typical" people (whatever that is). Let me give one example.

My son, wife and I were at a local high school track working out one Saturday afternoon in very late June a few years ago. The weather was almost 100 degrees and the school was out of session and locked up tight.

Alex decided he wanted to use the restroom and headed for the school. I wished him luck but told him it was locked. Alex proceeded checking every door and disappeared around the building (this is a 2000 student high school). When he didn't return my wife and I got worried and took off in opposite directions checking every door. We met at the front door and worked our way back to no avail.

Standing at the track and about to start a more serious search we suddenly see Alex emerging out the back door of the high school. He saunters over and we begin to question him on how he got in. I should mention that when Alex gets pressed by inquisitors his story sometimes sounds like the old Abbot & Costello "Who's on first" comedy sketch. All he kept saying was that he pushed which made no sense to me since the school doors are fire doors opening outward.

We finally got in the car to leave and A/C felt great. My wife kept stating that we had tried all the doors so how did Alex get in. I asked Alex to show me exactly which door he used and, while very annoyed, he pointed to the front door (which is actually 7 or 8 doors).

I then told him to get out of the car and show us. Alex was really, really ticked off at this point, throws off his headphones on the car seat, slams the car door and stomps up to the front doors. The whole time Alex is walking my wife is stating "we tried all those doors - there's no way he used those doors".

As Alex approached the doors he stopped next to a short post, slams the button on the post (the handicap access button) and the door springs open. Alex turns around with his arms spread out and glares at us like we were the dumbest people on the face of the planet!

How many of us would have thought to push that button?

300 burps today and a rest day (from burpees at least) tomorrow.