We had the most wonderful day today! We got to have lunch with Gwendolyn and her wonderful parents, Bill and Victoria. I'm sure most of you know Gwendolyn and her family, but for those of you who don't, Gwendolyn is a beautiful little girl who has Type 1 SMA. Her family, always thinking of new ways to raise awareness of SMA and the Treatment Acceleration Act, made this road trip not only a vacation, but an opportunity to raise money for SMA. And they stopped here!! It was wonderful to get to meet them in person--in the few months I have "known" them I have come to feel quite a kinship with them. It was truly a life changing experience to meet Gwendolyn in person. She is angelic. If you haven't, please check out her blog and donate to the Sponsor-A-Mile to End SMA--10.00 per mile on this trip. Thanks so much, guys, for taking the time to visit us! We wish you were closer!
Dakin would NOT cooperate with the camera...Gwendolyn looks perfect, though. If you look closely, she is wearing a little purple butterfly clip--Victoria said she wore it for Dakin, since they are both enamored with purple butterflies.
All of us, in the 100+ degree weather...
I grabbed this next shot after they had gone back to their RV. I thought the billboard behind where the RV was parked was beautifully appropriate--it says "The Power of Hope." In all the interaction I have had with the Strongs, they have always emphasized hope in the fight against SMA: hope that someday it will be cured. Those who have donated to the Sponsor-A-Mile to End SMA believe in this power. Ultimately, that is what this wonderful family represents to me: the power of hope. They, through the work they have done with the petition (and everything else), have given so many SMA families hope, and that is a gift I can never thank them enough for. I'm probably not expressing myself well, but it just struck me as I was getting in the car how appropriate it was that they were parked in front of this billboard--on a stop on their journey sponsored by hope. 
9 comments:
You D~ are just as inspiring! I saw a little boy in the airport yesterday that had Superman emblem on his pants and his shirt! Gave me an idea for your superman! What size is he now?
How special that you were able to meet. Great pics
Wow, goosebumps girly...goosebumps! I'm so glad Dakin and Gwendolyn got to meet :)
Gave me goosebumps!
How fun! They both look as cute as ever!
How amazing to see this. I'm so glad Bill and Victoria had such a nice time and were given such a warm welcome in Texas. I can't believe you guys were able to meet up! Awesome!
How exciting that you all were able to meet! I read Dakin, and Gwendolyn's blog daily!
i think it is so wonderful that gwendolyn and dakin were able to meet in person. what a great memory for you all.
i don't have any idea how i found my way to gwendolyn's blog. it was totally by accident, but i am so grateful to have been there. since the first time i read it i have been back daily to keep up with the strong's and pray for them. through their blog i came to yours and again, i feel so blessed to have.
blessings, mari
How wonderful that you all were able to meet!!
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