The Spin-a-Thon Results

What another exhilarating event!  The Spin-a-Thon, once again, held that same power that it's held for the past three years. (That's how long I've been involved with it.)  It's amazing to walk into that gym and see all the bicycles, the lights down low, the "rock concert" feel.  Music is loud, energy is high!  That energy comes from all of the spinners who are super excited to be participating in the event. . .and it's just. . .amazing!

During the Spin-a-Thon, one of the spinners who was on stage kept saying, "This is something that's bigger than we are."  And it is.  I remember one year going down the Blue Ridge Parkway.  I was alone, but I kept stopping at the different viewpoints, looking at the expanse of mountain ahead of me.  I kept thinking how tiny I felt.  I definitely viewed something that was much bigger than I was. . .am.  And oh, did His Majesty and His Beauty show.  Spin-a-Thon?  Same thing.  

I've probably said it before, but the majority of the people in that room had no connection to a special needs child.  They didn't work with them; didn't have a family member with special needs.  But they were there--spinning their hearts out!  They JUMP on the chance to be there, too!  And all of those who sponsored were the same way!  Without a hesitation, they said YES!  It's that positive, heart-felt vibe that permeated that room!  

Fundraising for the Spin-a-Thon was so exciting!  Our goal was $2,000.  With a lot of shouting out to friends and families and even strangers, we raised over $4,100!!  It was amazing to see who was supporting Lily and her little friends!  People I never expected gave!  That's powerful, my friends!

And here's the power in it:  I believe that Jesus' sacrifice was more than a saving of our sins.  It was a way to show us the power of sacrifice.  Now, I don't expect you'll find us up on that cross any time soon, but we have our own crosses that we bear.  Lots of them.  And I'm not so sure it's supposed to be about our own crosses, for our neighbors have lots of those crosses, too.  And those are the ones I think we're supposed to be concerned with.  And that's where our sacrifices (money, time, commitment, etc) come in.  We are supposed to make sacrifices for those in need, those who have crosses that are much larger than our own.  We see Jesus doing that throughout His life before even going to the cross. Personally, I believe that people who have special needs have some pretty large crosses.  If you donated to the Spin-a-Thon--heck, if you donated to or did something for ANY charity or anyone in need--, you made a sacrifice.  Think of it this way:  that $20 that you gave, could have bought you a blouse instead.  That $50?  It could have taken your family out to eat.  Did you give more?  You could have done something pretty nice with that money.  But all who gave were willing to sacrifice something else for a small school in Charleston that serves special needs children.  And many who gave have not even met Lily or any of the other children who attend Pattisons!  And that is pretty powerful to me.  And I thank you for it!

Overall, the Spin-a-Thon raised over $273,000!  More than $50,000 over last year!  That money goes to support the summer camp, and anything left over goes to the school.  Wow!  So exciting!

So yes, if you donated, thank you so much!  You helped make the Spin-a-Thon a successful event--one that would not have been so successful without your help!  We send lots of love your way!

Here's a picture of the gym before the Spin-a-Thon began.

Here's a picture of the whole family during the rock concert. . .I mean, Spin-a-Thon.

Lily getting on the bicycle to ride around the gym.

Now that's more like it!

Lots of love Trisomy 18-style goes out from Lily to all who donated
and all who participated in Pattison's Spin-a-Thon!
We could not have done it without you!

It's Magical

This is Sarah, not Lily.  But every time I watch this video, I can't help but think, "This could be Lily."  I think this because it's just the way that Pattison's is.  It's magical.  And if you don't believe me, watch this video.

This is Lily.  Her teacher sent this video to me just the other day.  When Lily began going to Pattison's in September, she was crawling.  Slowly.  She now crawls much faster. . .with a purpose.  Just the other night, she was playing with a ball.  As it got away from her, she would crawl around the room to get it.

That's the best example, but so much more is going on.  The other day, she took a sip of water from a cup and swallowed it!  She transfers objects from hand to hand.  She cruises the couch with assistance.  She purposefully reaches for objects that she's dropped.

That's the magic of Pattison's.  Because before September, Lily was not doing these things.  Every day she gets stronger, more aware.  It's like they wave a magic wand, and POOF! there's another area of improvement.

What's even better is that it's not just Lily who is affected.  There are 31 other children with severe disabilities who attend Pattison's.  They, too, get the magic.  It's so beautiful!

On Saturday, Pattison's will have its annual spin-a-thon.  The spin-a-thon raises money for both their summer camp and the school.  Some friends of mine (and Rani and Autumn) and I will be spinning for this fundraiser.  Our goal is to raise $2000.  We are 98% there!  If you have been inspired by Lily's story, won't you please consider donating?  Donations are tax deductible, and obviously, they go to a good cause.

Donations can be made at www.firstgiving.com/fundraiser/brenda-reagan/pedal-4-pattisons-2014.  That's our team's page.  We thank you, in advance, for considering!  So does Lily.  Here's a picture that was taken at school.  Isn't she so beautiful!  Oh, and happy!  She really LOVES her school!