The NDSS Buddy Walk in New York City was something I don’t think I will ever be able to fully put into words.
Getting to stand in Times Square and watch Kay’s picture appear on the big screen was surreal. I knew it was happening, I knew we had traveled all the way to New York for this moment, but actually standing there and seeing her face up on that screen was something completely different. I looked at my little girl and thought about how far she has come, how many people love her, and how many people have been cheering her on along the way. It was one of those moments that I wish I could freeze in time.
But as incredible as seeing Kay in Times Square was, being surrounded by our community made the entire experience even more special.
One of the things that surprised me most was realizing that we actually had a bigger walk team in New York than we typically have for our Buddy Walks here in Las Vegas. I honestly wasn’t expecting that at all. We were traveling from another state, so I never imagined that we would have so many people come out specifically to walk alongside Kay.
We had friends and family there to support us, including Adam, Erica, and Erica’s husband Tyler, a family friend who lives in New York, and several of my mom’s coworkers from her NYC-based work who were able to come out and walk with Kay. It was so special seeing familiar faces in a city so far from home.
We were also lucky enough to have one of the cofounders of the company that makes Kay’s favorite glucose tabs (Zap Glucose) join our team for the walk, which was such a fun and unexpected connection. Anyone who knows Kay knows that those glucose tabs are a pretty big deal in her world, so having someone behind a product she loves there to celebrate with her made it even more special.
Seeing all these people come together for Kay was something I will never take for granted. Whether they traveled to New York with us, already lived there, or simply happened to be connected to us through family, work, friendship, or Kay’s diabetes journey, they all chose to spend part of their day celebrating her. That meant more to me than I can explain.
And then there was the feeling of being surrounded by so many people who just get it. So many families, children, siblings, grandparents, friends and loved ones all coming together to celebrate Down syndrome. We didn’t have to explain our lives, our experiences, or why this day mattered so much. We were simply part of this incredible community.
Watching Kay take it all in made my heart so full. She may not understand the significance of seeing her picture in Times Square or the reason everyone was there that day, but I hope someday she will look back and know just how loved and celebrated she has always been.
I am so incredibly grateful for everyone who showed up for Kay in New York, whether you traveled across the country, hopped on the subway across the city, rearranged your day, or simply cheered her on from home. Every bit of support mattered.
This wasn’t just a walk. It was a celebration of Kay, of our community, and of the people who continue to stand beside us.
New York will always hold a very special place in my heart because of this day. I will forever be grateful that we got to experience it, and even more grateful that Kay got to experience it surrounded by so much love.