Hey all!
Let me start by telling you a little bit about my brother Gabe!
Most people would agree that Gabe has the biggest personality of anyone they've ever met. He will talk to anyone and quickly become friends. Gabe loves facetiming all his friends (and my friends) from his desk, on which sits a plaque which reads Lloyd Johnston (he started calling himself LLoyd after his favorite Ninjago character, LLoyd Montgomery). Gabe loves his routines, he makes breakfast every morning for my parents, swings on his swing set, rain or shine (on more than one occasion I've witnessed him swinging in a complete whiteout). Every night he FaceTimes his friends. He loves Legos, video games, his dogs and his friends.
Gabe was born with Down Syndrome and a heart defect- a dangerous combination. After several surgeries, Gabe has exceeded doctors expectations and is healthy, strong, active and ready to take on any challenges with his positive attitude and big life goals.
The opportunities provided to Gabe through school, Boces and athletic programs have given Gabe the opportunity to be around other kids with disabilities and have given him a safe environment to do what he loves. He always looks forward to going to school to learn life skills and applies them in his daily life.
Gabe's independence is important, not only for himself, but for his future caretakers as well. Learning life skills like cooking give him both something to be proud of, but also allows the future he desires to become all the more possible.
The impact and improvement in the lives of my brother, as well as people like Gabe, is incredible and should not be undervalued.
I am proud to represent Gabe and to support The Arc In my fundraising goal.
Thank you for you support! :)
Thank you for supporting me in my endeavor to go Over The Edge for The Arc Erie County New York! I am thrilled about this once in a lifetime opportunity!
Started in 1951 by a group of parents who were seeking supports for their children with disabilities, The Arc Erie County New York has always been a place for people to feel welcome despite their differences.
The Arc Erie County, focuses on the person as a whole, while considering individualized needs and desires. The Arc strives not only to support people with disabilities but to also support the family unit to ensure an all-inclusive care network. People are supported over the arc of a lifetime, from birth through end of life. The Arc's altruistic focus is communicated internally and externally so that all members of our community can Achieve with us.
