All of Us Will Win ... If You Come Cheer on the MDSC's 'Team Get Real' 

 

On Monday, 20,000 runners will cross the starting line in Hopkinton on their way to Downtown Boston 26.2 miles away, a gargantuan task by any measure. 

 

For 14 runners, the feat is made even more remarkable because of what they are accomplishing with each mile, each step. Those 14 are known as "Team Get Real", the MDSC's crew of dedicated runners who are raising critical funds to support the MDSC and programs like Advocates in Motion, Parent's First Call, Public Policy initiatives, the Self-Advocate Advisory Council, the Allen Crocker Self-Advocate Internship, Medical Provider outreach, and our Educator's Forum and Annual Conference. 

 

 DONATE TO 'TEAM GET REAL'

 

Over the last several months, these warriors have not only been training day-in and day-out for the big day, but they have also been working hard to collectively raise over $53,000 and generate significant awareness.

 

Whether you can contribute to financially or not to the cause, there's one thing you CAN do that will make all the difference... join the MDSC Cheering Section. 'Team Get Real' members need our support and encouragement on Race Day! Returning runners always say that our strategically-placed cheering section is what pushes them to reach that finish line. 

 

Read short bios of Team Get Real members here or below! 

 

 

Our MDSC Cheering Section will gather at 11 a.m. in the grassy area on Commonwealth Avenue opposite Chesterfield Street in Newton. Click on map above for specific location and directionsAn MDSC representative will be present at the cheering section and will have posters for you to decorate, pom poms, noise-makers and other items to keep the runners motivated. If you and your friends or family are planning to attend to cheer on our runners, please email [email protected] 

 

See below for two videos that capture why two runners do it! 

MDSC Boston Marathon: Love & Marathons
MDSC Boston Marathon: Love & Marathons
 
Boston Globe: Russ Trottier finds meaning in training for Boston Marathon
 
WHO IS 'TEAM GET REAL'?

  

Building on the theme of this year's Annual Conference, the MDSC has officially launched our 17th Annual Buddy Walk & Family Festival, dubbed the "Walk for Real Lives." Teams can sign up and individuals can donate here.

 

The name, the "Walk for Real Lives," like our Real Lives Conference, stems from the "Real Lives Bill," the critical piece of state legislation that promises to give people with Down syndrome and other disabilities more control over the their funds and their lives. 

 

This year, we are pleased to report that some things remain the same, and some things are different. In the first category, we are thrilled to welcome back our lead sponsor, Verizon

 

In the latter category, you might notice a slightly different name. We felt that our previous name, Buddy Walk & Family Picnic, didn't quite describe the "festival" atmosphere and the variety of entertainment offerings - live performances, face-painting, music-making, climbing trucks, etc. - that our Buddy Walk now boasts. That is why it is now more accurately called the Buddy Walk & Family Festival. 

 

Second, in response to demands for more variety in the food offerings, we are launching a new lunch program. Rather than include lunch in the cost of registration, we are giving you more control over your lunch options. You can reserve a bagged lunch when you register for an additional cost, or you can buy food from private vendors who will be on site throughout the event. 

 

The MDSC Buddy Walk Program is New England's largest public awareness platform to promote acceptance and inclusion of people with Down syndrome. The Buddy Walk & Family Festival, our signature walk, takes place during National Down Syndrome Awareness Month and draws in 4,000 people to celebrate our community and support the important work of the MDSC. 

 

We ask that all walkers, ages 13 and up, strive to reach the $150 fundraising minimum by October 31st. Your fundraising efforts are critical to our mission and directly impact programs and services that provide hope to new and expectant parents, training to medical professionals and students, best practices to educators, opportunities for teens and adults, and a strong voice on Capitol Hill.
 
Take Action: Sign Our 'Real Lives' Petition Now 

 

Now you have an an easy, fun way to support one of our priority bills -- and the namesake of our Real Lives Conference -- the Real Lives Bill. 

 

With a few quick steps on your smartphone, you can send a strong message to your state legislators to pass this critical piece of legislation that will make a "Real" difference in the lives of people with Down syndrome. For you tech-savvy folks out there, the image above says it all. Just text REAL or real to the number 9 10 11, or use your QR Reader to scan the code above! 

Go here for further explanation.

 

The Real Lives Bill, sponsored by Rep. Tom Sannicandro, was the centerpiece of our Annual Conference last weekend. It  would change the way developmental services are delivered, by shifting the balance of power away from the legislature and into the hands of those actually using the services. For more information on the Real Lives Bill, see a Fact Sheet here. 

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