Welcome to Down Syndrome Awareness month! This month is special to me because as I have mentioned before, I have an Uncle with Downs. He is in his 50’s now and doing so well. I have grown up around him and honestly, didn’t think of him any different than anyone else. He is funny, the best hugger of all time, generous, caring, quick to high-fiving and always tells you he loves you. The warm and caring spirit of those blessed with the extra chromosome, has impacted my life. To this day if I see a person with DS, I always try to speak with them or just say hi. I smile generously at the parents and try to avoid looking like a creepy stalker as I rush over to meet them. I just love these people!
.jpg)
Last year, I was lucky enough to take one of the sweetest family sessions with Lilly and her parents, Megan and Charles. Lilly has DS and this girl melted my heart. She was the sweetest baby, curious, quick with a smile and oh, how she loves her parents. You can view more of their session in this blog post. I could gush on, but I’ll get to the goods.
.jpg)
In order to honor and celebrate my Uncle Mark, my new friend Lilly and all friends I have yet to have the honor of meeting, I’m giving away one FREE family session in October. Here is how to enter & the official rules:
- To enter: Post a comment (make sure your name is on there!) on this post on the blog or post on my Facebook page between October 1st and October 14th (by midnight). Please note that comments take a bit to show up. One entry per day, per person. What should you put in the comments? Anything you want (within reason people, there are children on here). The name of your favorite DS person, why you want this session, tell your DS story, how your day was, whatever, just make sure there is something in there that someone would want to see.
- On October 15th, I will announce the winner on this post and my Facebook page, which I will randomly draw.
- The session must take place within one year of the drawing (expiring on October 15, 2014). If the session isn’t used within one year, it will be forfeited. (Subject to photographer’s availability.)
- Session to include a 1 hour family session at the location of your choice (within 30 miles of Charleston, SC) and the final edited digital images with full print rights. (Prints are an additional charge).
- Winners will be announced on the blog and my Facebook page only (for an quick way to see if you’ve won like the page!)
- You must email me to claim the prize if you are the winner (contact me button at the top).
If you would like to learn more information about my friend Lilly and donate to her Buddy Walk efforts, just click here. To get in touch with the nice people at DS of the Lowcountry, here you go!
I can’t wait to meet the winners of this raffle! Good luck!
:: Mo
Michelle Beausoleil HelferichI loved the photo session you did last year with Lily and family! My daughter, Kayla, has Ds and she is what brings me to your blog to try and win this photo session 🙂 Thanks for the chance!
Linda Soltesz WilliamsHello Molly! I have an 8month old angel with down syndrome, and he is the love of my life. I would love to win this free phote session to share his good looks with everyone! Friends please comment on my post to help me win this photo session. Thanks!
Rachel MartorelliThe links to your Facebook page in the article are broken 🙁 Linda Soltesz Williams and Baby Blake get my vote!!
Amber crispLinda Soltesz Williams and Blake 🙂
Leilani EckrothHello I am a proud mommy of a 12 month old with DS. His name is Lane Mason Eckroth. He is absolutely adorable. After many IUI’s and several heartbreaks, Lane was conceived naturally on Christmas! God knew exactly what he was doing when he gave Lane to us!!! I would love to win this photo session, so people can see what a gorgeous and wonderful child Lane is!!
maryLinda soltez Williams
Stormey Lea KennonKatie Beck !
Jenny Thomas ThurstonMy vote is for Linda Soltesz Williams!
Charlean DanielsLinda Williams
Erin BeamLinda Soltesz Williams!
Anita J BrownBaby Blake and Linda Soltesz Willliams get my vote!
Linda Soltesz WilliamsPick Linda Soltesz Williams and her beautiful boy Blakey Boo.
Shannon WilliamsBaby Blake-mommy Linda Soltesz
Tish McAfeeLane Eckroth, is so cute and his mom, Leilani Eckroth, is such a wonderful, caring, involved parent. I am so blessed to know him and his family!
Kathy Beres RogersI would love to have a session with my daughter Julia, who is 2 1/2 and a true ham. We go to Kindermusik and, while the other kids are sitting with their parents, she gets into the middle of the circle and dances away. She is really thoughtful–she sits for a long time thinking about things before she speaks or acts. Oh, and did I mention she is the CUTEST kid on earth? We are so blessed with her. Please pick us!
RachelI’m voting for Vance! His mother is Melissa Sahlmann.
Maggie RogersOne vote for Miss Julia (Mom: Kathy Beres Rogers), my sweet little niece. <3
M.I’m voting little Miss Jules; such a cutie!
PetrinaI vote for Julia! (Mom- Kathy Beres Rogers)
LindaI vote for Kathy Beres Rogers and Julia!! 😀
Melissa SahlmannI need new family photos bad! My sweet boy Vance has Ds and is having heart surgery 3 days before his 4th birthday. It would be so incredible to take pics before then!!
Pamela Cox SpencePlease pick Vance, his mother is Melissa Sahlmann.
Virginia Hays SandersI’d love for Vance Ryder to win!
Kat ZeilerI would like to nominate Vance, Melissa Sahlmann’s son, who has the BEST laugh ever!
RebaI vote for Kathy Beres Rogers and Little Miss Julia!
Virginia HedlundI vote for Julia Rogers, daughter of Ben and Kathy Rogers in Charleston, SC
Boyd GibsonI vote for Julia Rogers, the cutest and friendliest.
Amanda McElfresh LewisVoting for Jules (Mom: Kathy Beres Rogers)
Kathleen Beres RogersFriends- I added a comment to the acutal blog without knowing I needed to add one to Facebook. So I’m covering all of my bases in hopes that Julia will become our little winner. If you could “vote” for her on the actual blog, I think that’s how you do it. And “like” this just for good measure.
Cynthia DarlingI vote for Julia Rogers–my god-daughter!
Melanie Mills MaxwellI vote for Lane Eckroth and his wonderful family! His mom is Leilani Eckroth!! He is the cutest 12 month old and has a smile that lights up the room!!
Amy WeberI vote for Julia Rogers!!! 🙂
Sarah Kathryn MaxwellI vote for Lane Eckroth and his mom, Leilani Eckroth!! Go Lane!!
Gwen Adkins RobbinsPlease choose Vance! His mommy is Melissa Sahlmann. Vance is such a cutie that has overcome so many odds! Mommy says Vance is having heart surgery 3 days before his 4th birthday. This would be an awesome birthday gift!
Elizabeth ViceVoting for Julia Rogers – thanks for being so honoring of this month.
Erin Davison BoringVoting for Miss Jules!!!!
I hope she wins 🙂
Zafera TimmonsMy vote is for Melissa Sahlmann and her baby Vance!!!!
Kaitlyn HartwellVoting for Miss Jules (Mom: Kathy Beres Rogers)
Amy WeberI vote for Julia Rogers!!!!
DanielleMy vote is for Julia Rogers.
Erin LI vote for Julia Rogers (mom Kathy Beres Rogers)!
Debra King GuerryI vote for Linda Williams!! We are in the “BLAKE” FAN CLUB.
JoDeI would like to vote for Julia Rogers too!
Ben RogersVote for Julia Rogers. Anyone coming to the buddy walk, stop by and say hi to us at the Fools 4 Jules banner.
KateI’m voting for Jules!! (Mom: Kathy Beres Rogers)
Catherine ThomasPlease choose Julia Rogers and her family. Julia is full of laughter and spunk. I love her determination, and you can see those gears churning when she gets ready to run off in her own direction!
Linda Soltesz WilliamsHello Molly! I have an 8month old angel with down syndrome, and he is the love of my life. I would love to win this free phote session to share his good looks with everyone! Friends please comment on my post to help me win this photo session. Thanks!
PetrinaI vote for Kathy Beres Rogers and Little Miss Julia!
Melissa SahlmannToday is a new day and I am happy to say one more day with My monkey Vance!
AmandaMiss Jules (Mom: Kathy Beres Rogers)
Stormey Lea KennonGo vote for Katie Beck !!!
Joshua WalkerMy vote goes to Katie Beck !!
patty rogersIf you have a special needs person in your life, you know how enriched it becomes in ways you never imagined. I vote for Julia Helen Rogers, daughter of Ben Rogers and Kathleen Beres Rogers.
Chris beckI vote for my grand daughter Katie Beck.
Her birth changed us all and made us realize what a gift she is to us.
She teaches us all about unconditional love
Denise HartyI vote for our little Katie Beck
She is such an example of energy and joy.
Tracy CurryMy vote is for Katie Beck, nominated by Stormey Lea Kennon. Katie has been a joy and a delight to visit each time we go to visit family. Her unconditional love for everyone reminds us to do the same. KATIE ROCKS!
Valerie Saldamarco VelezGo for team Katie A.K.A. Katie bug!!!!!!!!! Katie Beck
Chelsey MintzI vote Katie Beck!
She is a bike rider who can ride on two wheels. She is a reader of many books. She is an award winner for the summer reading program. She is a student studying addition and subtraction. She is a painter of a beautiful and colorful masterpiece. She is the wearer of shoes that she is learning to tie. She is a scrapbook maker of summer pictures. She is a regular at the local Waffle House. She is an avid park enthusiast who loves many parks. She is a singer of Darius Rucker, The Band Perry, and Sugarland songs and a dancer to music. She is a windows down in the car kind of girl. She is a speller of many words and a sorter of blends. She is a tickle monster who tickles at red lights. She is a maker of snow in a ladybug bowl. She is a blueberry picker at Boone Hall Farms. She is a hungry girl who likes to eat many foods. She is an explorer who pulls up the anchor on The Adventure ship at Charles Towne Landing. She is a bowler who scores high points. She is a builder of sandcastles with Starbucks towers. She is a swimmer who can go under water. She is a ball player who catches and throws like a pro. She is a tennis player who hits the ball hard. She is monkey bar climber who is learning to flip. She is a friend to Ladybug who takes many walks. She is an amazing girl with a wonderful smile and a super laugh. She is Ms. Chelsey’s summer time buddy who knows how to have fun!
She is Katie Beck!
Graham M JonesI vote for Katie Beck!
Debra King GuerryI vote for Linda Williams …Team Blake
Kendall SpillmanVote for Kathleen Beres Rogers & her daughter Julia!
Richard HudsonKathy and Richard Hudson have known Katie Beck for several years. We met when her family started coming to church with our church family. Katie is a lovely child and has grown and is growing into a lovely young lady. Our vote is for Katie Beck!
Tee BeckFor the girl who can make even the worst day better . . . Katie Beck ! ! ! She Rocks ! ! !
Stormey Lea KennonMy vote will always be for my love bug Katie Beck !! She has been the best thing that has ever happened to me and the reason I am pursuing as career working with children who have special needs !
Linda Soltesz WilliamsHello Molly! I have an 8month old angel with down syndrome, and he is the love of my life. I would love to win this free phote session to share his good looks with everyone! Friends please comment on my post to help me win this photo session. Thanks!
Pick Linda Soltesz Williams
Joshua WalkerCan’t wait to walk alongside Katie Beck and her team at the Buddy Walk on Sunday !
Graham M JonesI vote for Katie Beck!
HollyI’m voting Miss Jules, daughter of Kathy Beres Rogers
Kelli Corbitt AdamsMy vote is for Julia Rogers, daughter of Kathleen Beres Rogers!!! She is a precious 2 1/2 year old doll baby!! It would be awesome to see her just fussed over for a photo session!!!
Joy PhillipsI vote for Katie Beck!!! She is the sweetest and friendliest girl! Good luck!
Stormey Lea KennonMy vote goes to the prettiest girl from the inside out Katie Beck !
KateI’m voting for Julia!! (Mom: Kathy Beres Rogers)
Joshua Walker I love how she already sees me as part of her family !! I vote Katie Beck !!
Graham M JonesI vote for Katie Beck.
Linda Soltesz WilliamsHello Molly! I have an 8month old angel with down syndrome, and he is the love of my life. I would love to win this free phote session to share his good looks with everyone! Friends please comment on my post to help me win this photo session. Thanks!
Pick Linda Soltesz Williams
StefanieMy vote is for Julia Rogers, daughter of Kathy Beres Rogers!
Tee BeckFor the girl who doesn’t know what it means to give up . . . either for something she wants or for something we want her to do. Detemined . . . Katie Beck ! ! !
Stormey Lea KennonGetting ready for the buddy walk to support Katie Beck !!
Victoria OlaesI vote for Lane Eckroth (Leilani Eckroth)!!
Kathy KristoficeI vote fo LANE ECKROTH (Leani Eckroth)
Charles OlaesI vote for Lane Eckroth!! (Leilani Eckroth)
Linda Soltesz WilliamsPleasePick Linda Soltesz Williams!
Jessica SpurlinI vote for Lane Eckroth!! (Leilani Eckroth)
AmyI vote for the beautiful Julia Rogers!!
Jasmine SmithThere isn’t much to say about Lane Mason Eckroth except that he is just a true amazing gift from God. Anywhere we go he just lights up a room, he brings a smile to anyone’s face. I VOTE LANE ECKROTH, he and his family truly deserve this opportunity! (Leilani Eckroth)
Joshua WalkerThe buddy walk was awesome !! Loved celebrating ms. Katie Beck !!
Leilani EckrothI love my little Lane. Thank you to my family and friends that have voted for him. You all are truly the best!!!
Linda Soltesz WilliamsPlease Pick Linda Soltesz WilliamS!
ChrisI vote for Lane Eckroth (Leilani Eckroth)
AmyI vote for Julia Rogers!! I, too, had glasses at an early age. And I am entirely jealous of her fabulous purple glasses! She rocks them!
Tee BeckWhat a great day spent with family and friends at the Buddy Walk. Thanks to all who came out to support Katie Beck !!! Go TEAM KATIE ! ! !
Virna AllenLane Mason Eckroth…An unexpected gift from God and true delight to our family. God wanted to give us a glimpse of His goodness so He gave us this beautiful child. We are honored that God trusted our family to care for this little angel.
Joshua WalkerKatie is the funniest girl ever and has my vote !
Tee BeckStill pulling for Katie Beck . . . she starts every day with a smille. Regardless of the day before or the opportunites that she may face in the new day. She is the bright spot of any day !
Joshua WalkerKatie is mrs independent and makes sure everyone knows it 🙂 vote Katie Beck !
Graham M JonesI vote for Katie Beck!
Tee BeckFor the girl who shows unconditional love all of the time . . . Katie Beck
Linda Soltesz WilliamsPlease Pick Linda Soltesz Williams
Graham M JonesI vote for Katie Beck!
AmyI vote for Julia Rogers!!!
Stormey Lea WalkerKatie Beck is my love bug go vote for Katie !!
Joshua WalkerKatie gets my vote love my future sister in law !
Christelia BeckMy Granddaughter Katie Beck is the Best!
Graham M Jonesi vote for katie Beck!
Tim KillianI vote for Katie Beck. She is such a joy and always amazes me with new thoughts!
Tee BeckLooking forward to popcorn and movie night with my girl . . . Katie Beck !
Linda Soltesz WilliamsPlease Pick Linda Soltesz Williams
Rachel MartorelliLinda Soltesz Williams again and again!!
Pam EmpertKatie has my vote. Love you Katie.
Linda Soltesz WilliamsPleasePick Linda Soltesz Williams, The World Needs To See My Blakey Boo 😉
AmyI vote for Julia Rogers!! 🙂
Rachel TempleI viote for Julia Rogers!!
Sue Taylor SchallesKATIE KATIE she’s our gal!!!! Love her smile…it can light up the universe!!!!
Jenny DickinsonI vote for Julia Rogers!
Lynn CunninghamI vote for Julia Rogers.
Stormey Lea WalkerI love Katie desire to help others she hast vote !
Joshua WalkerKatie Beck is going to do great things with her life as she has touched so many people my vote goes to her !
Stormey Lea WalkerKatie is a beautiful girl from the inside out and has my vote !
Debbie AdamsI vote for Julia Rogers
Linda Soltesz Williamsplease PiCk Linda Soltesz Williams
Joy PhillipsI vote for Katie Beck because she always has a smile on her face!
Joshua WalkerIt’s the last day to
Vote and Katie Beck gets my vote !!
Stormey Lea WalkerToday is the absolute final day to vote and Katie Be k absolutely gets my vote !!
Linda Soltesz WilliamsPlease Pick Linda Soltesz Williams
Tee BeckOne more vote for Katie Beck on the last day !!! Regardless of who wins, thank you so much for holding this contest for our families who are blessed to have a member with Down Syndrome . . .
PamI vote for Julia Rogers
Pam FosterI vote for Julia Rogers!
Kiersten ZimmermanI vote for Julia Rogers! <3
Ben RogersJulia Helen Rogers. I hope people had fun at the Avondale 5K this weekend, it is a great event.
SusanJulia Rogers! Julia Rogers! Julia Rogers!
Susan HoffiusI vote for Julia Rogers
Esther Moseley LowndesJulia Rogers! I voter for Julia rogers!!!!!