November 27, 2012

You Rock Alex Bender!!


I have been having a really tough time lately. I am not sure if it is the holiday blues or the prospect of another year in the 47%.  I do not know why my husband and I are still unemployed. I do not know why people like to give us advice constantly with no appreciation of how hard we are working. The “go get a job you have lots of great skills anyone would be stupid not to hire you” statement we overhear grinds at my nerves. Does anyone really care to know what it is like to stand in my shoes?  I do not know why I am growing very very tired.

But I do know one thing, the ONLY thing that is keeping me grounded is my kids. There is no way to explain how much I love them and how proud I am of the people they are becoming.  They are special…all three of them…each with their own quirks and chromosomes.

One of these kids, Alex was selected to represent the United States of America in the World Winter Special Olympics Games being held in January in South Korea.  First she will go to Lake Placid in two weeks to train and there is a lot of planning that must be done. This is keeping me grounded.

The following was recently posted on the Special Olympics Team USA facebook page:

For the first time, all 210 members of Special Olympics Team USA will be in historic Lake Placid, New York for Special Olympics Team USA's official training camp, prior to their participation in the 2013 Special Olympics World Winter Games in the Republic of Korea. This is a huge honor as this delegation coming into New York is made up of Special Olympics athletes and coaches from all over the United States.

In preparation for the World Winter Games, athletes, coaches and other members of Special Olympics Team USA will attend a training camp in Albany and Lake Placid, NY.

The training camp will be the first time the Special Olympics Team USA delegation will be together prior to the 2013 World Winter Games. The camp will offer a variety of team building activities and sport-specific training.

And this on the CO page:

Meet Team Colorado

Alex Bender, alpine skiing


Alex Bender of Carbondale, Colo., will be competing in alpine skiing at the 2013 Special Olympics World Winter Games. Bender has also competed in bowling, swimming and track and field during her time as a Special Olympics Colorado participant. She went to the 2010 National Games for track and field. Bender graduated from Basalt High School with a full academic diploma in 2012 and is now employed at Timbo’s pizza and the child care center at Snowmass Mountain. She was wait listed at The College of New Jersey and is taking a year off to work in the community. Bender spends some of her free time volunteering at WindWalkers, a therapeutic riding center as well as other places in the community. She enjoys horseback riding, watching Basalt High School football games and spending time with her friends. Special Olympics Colorado gives Bender a chance to shine within her peer group. She has developed confidence, friendships and understands the importance of being part of a team and respecting her coaches and fellow athletes. Bender says representing the state of Colorado and Team USA at the World Winter Games makes her very happy and excited. “Everyone is proud of me, and I am proud of me. Everyone is happy for me,” Bender said.  Read more:

These past five years I have filled out countless scholarship requests, borrowed from my family and cut costs every way I know. I work three jobs, but can not support my family due to low wages. It is the kindness of strangers and family that has also kept me grounded and provided opportunities for my children.

To each and every one, when you can and if you are able please contribute to scholarship programs in your community. This is what is contributing to the success of my family and maybe yours as well.

Yes, I am happy, proud and grounded because you really really rock Alex Bender! And we all know tomorrow will be another day and each day brings hope and promise.

Here is our request, and if you are interested I pledge to share our experiences in Korea at least every other day, just sign up for the feed.

4 comments:

  1. will have my parents donate hope u get to go

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks AZ, I can understand if people are uncomfortable donating, I am very uncomfortable asking!

      Delete
  2. Hugs, hugs, hugs. I think you should post this over on Ellen Stumbo's writing prompt for this week: what really matters. OUR KIDS! {{{{HUGS}}}}

    ReplyDelete

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