Last year, I posted about my extraordinary brother and sister-in-law, Ryan and Brittany, and their beautiful, inspiring, gentle and love-filled little boy, Greyson. Who's just one month younger than our daughter, his cousin Ella. If you want to read all about these awesome parents, and their extraordinary son...check out this old blogpost. I promise your heart will feel better and stronger and more tender, all at the same time, just by reading their story.
In that post, I explained that Greyson has Tuberous Sclerosis, a disease that affects 1 in 6000 babies born in the United States each year. I explained the impact this disease has had on Greyson's life, and his parents' lives. I explained how each year, Greyson's parents pull a big ol' team together -- Team Greyson -- for their local "Step Forward" walk a thon, which raises money to cure Tuberous Sclerosis. But most importantly, I explained how inspiring and awesome Greyson and his parents are. And I asked my friends to consider making a donation -- of any amount, $5, $10, $25 -- (every amount counts!)to Team Greyson. And Chris and I promised to match every dollar our friends donated.
We were humbled when our friends and family contributed almost $1000 to Team Greyson, which we were honored to match. We were amazed and inspired that so many friends -- many of them we're connected with through Facebook but don't often get to see in person -- took the time to show love and support for our darling Greyson.
This year, Chris and I are very excited to take the girls down to Tennessee, in October, to attend our first Step Forward for a Cure event. Ella and Kate LOVE their cousin Greyson. I mean, they adore him. Every time these kids get together, it's a love and hug and kiss and squeeze and play fest. There are never any arguments or melt downs -- at least not related to hanging out with each other. It's just complete adoration...this beautiful cousin love.
Ella and Kate don't understand this disease. But they understand that Greyson has been in the hospital more than anyone else they know, and has experienced more 'ouchies' in his five years than most grown ups do in a lifetime. They know that he may not always run quite as fast as his brother Lachlan, and that he doesn't right now use as many words as they do. But they also understand that their cousin is brave. And kind. And, above all, that he is pure love. Every day. All the time.
They know Greyson is special. But we're excited for them to be part of this event that is a very tactile, real-life, visible way to physically show him how much they love him, and to see so many other people there, supporting and loving and cheering him on, too.
This walk-a-thon is extra special because Greyson's incredible momma, Brittany, is chairing it. And for that reason, we not only want to be physically be there to show our support, but we want to do our part to make sure this particular walk a thon raises more funds than any one before it! We also want to help make this event extra special, because there's so much to celebrate. Greyson has been seizure-free for more than a year! He is not only walking, but able to jump on a trampoline...he's a whiz on the iPad, and uses it every day to learn new concepts and words. And although this little boy has always been fluent in the language of love, he's building his actual vocabulary bit by bit, every day, too.
So that's where you come in. If you're reading this, I invite you to check out Brittany's blog, where she talks about Greyson and Tuberous Sclerosis and its impact on their family.
And I ask you to please be part of this little Love Flash Mob for Team Greyson, by making a donation -- in any amount at all -- to this year's Step Forward For a Cure walk-a-thon.
Yes, one goal of this Love Flash Mob is to help raise funds to cure this disease that takes so much away from so many. But another, equally important goal, is to show Ryan and Brittany and Greyson (and his little brother Lachlan) that people near and far, people whom they've never met, some of whom live hundreds of miles away, are inspired by them. Support them. Believe in them.
And love them. Just like Ella and Kate do.
Thanks friends. Let's do this!
