Exciting Blog Auction and DS Walk Photos

Ds Fact: To continue about Celiac disease from my post yesterday two days ago - oops! More from this site: http://www.ds-health.com/celiac.htm

What Celiac disease is in case you are not familiar with it: The small bowel has many roles, one of which is to absorb nutrients from our food. Celiac disease (CD) arises when the lining of the small bowel becomes damaged from exposure to gluten, the protein found in wheat, barley and rye. (Oats may be involved because oats are often contaminted with gluten from other grains during the milling process.) The small bowel becomes unable to absorb water and nutrients, causing a number of different symptoms.


Since CD is more common among people w/ Ds, our boys need to be tested for it. Here is a bit on how it can be easily done.

Recent research has found that 97 to 98% of all cases of CD are found in people with certain genetic markers. These genetic markers are called HLA ("human leukocyte antigen") markers. There are two markers that are associated with CD: HLA-DQ2 and HLA-DQ8. In cases where CD is suspected and there is an IgA deficiency, these markers can be looked for instead to determine if a small bowel biopsy is warranted. Children with DS and CD also have the same markers. Interestingly, the genes for the HLA markers are on the chromosome 6, so the connection to chromosome 21 still needs to be discovered.

I think that is fascinating! And the GREAT news...Elijah does NOT have either of these markers! YAY!!! A big thank you to his parents for that one. :-) However, that still doesn't mean he may not have a form of wheat intolerance. We'll continue to investigate that...

And a very interesting tidbit I just read on that site for adoptive parents: It's important to note that infection from Giardia, a microscopic parasite found worldwide, can mimic CD. Diagnosis of this infection is done by special tests on the stools.  Elijah was negative for Giardia, but it is good to know.

Ds Blog: http://treasuresinhiddenplaces.blogspot.com/  Go check out the all of the exciting items being auctioned off to raise money to help bring Teagan home! LOTS and LOTS of wonderful things. Please go check it out. Thanks!

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Down Syndrome Awareness Walk - Saturday, October 1st, 2011

I am SO VERY GRATEFUL for everyone who came to support us and the boys for the DS Walk. It really means so much to me. The Walk was a huge success! Over 1200 people attended and over $62,000 was raised! Amazing!!!

A fun little tidbit for those of you that were at the walk - The Walk Ambassador, Tim Ditter, is Pat's 2nd cousin. Fun, huh? :-) I enjoyed talking with his parents for awhile at the walk. They are so very nice.

We had plans to be there right away at 10:30 when it started, but alas, it didn't work out. By the time we registered, got t-shirts on, etc, it was time for lunch.

This was our last chilly day, so the kids are bundled up a bit. It has been BEAUTIFUL since then! Highs have been in the 70s and 80s. (Ok, I know it IS going to get chilly and downright COLD very soon. We are enjoying it while it lasts.)

Sarah and "Big" Rachel with Micah and Lucas -
Lucas was adopted from the very same orphanage that Sarah visited last summer on her mission trip! She was thrilled to meet him! I was happy to meet him too and visit with his mama for a short bit. :-)

After lunch, we were sitting listening to the pre-walk rally, and Sarah came to get Elijah to go and meet Rachel Coleman from Signing Time! There was no line to see her, so we chatted for awhile. :-)

Can you see how Elijah is trying to move away from her? He has watched her millions hundreds of times on DVD...seeing her in person was...well...just really weird for him! :-) Heck, it was a little weird for me too! But, she is very gracious and seems very down-to-earth. I really enjoyed hearing her story at the pre-walk rally the night before. I don't think there was a dry eye in the place. For those of you that don't know, her oldest daughter was born deaf. Her second daughter was born with spina bifida and later diagnosed with CP.

I asked her about this video. Her daughter, Leah, is AMAZING! 

Rachel even signed "Hopkins" cards for Rachel and Rachel. :-)

I totally stole this from Sarah's blog!

Our team! (How much you wanna bet mom will steal this part for her post?? I know she will!)
Back row - Left to right - "Big" Rachel G holding Jonathan, Mrs. Rheann E, me, Mom, Dad hiding behind the balloons holding Elijah, Mr. G, Josh G, Kaitlyn K, Mrs. G, Grandma Eileen B, Anita F, Auntie Debbie (aka Auntie Crackers), and "Big" Rebekah G.
Front row - Left to Right - Alexa E, Andrew E, Erik E, Anna, Isaac, "Little" Rachel in stroller, and Rebekah.

Finally - the walk!
Who needs the stroller when you have Daddy's shoulders???

Big Rachel and Sarah decided they wanted to carry Jonathan.  He is one heavy boy! Their arms must have been tired after the one-mile walk.

Part of our team

Here I am pushing the "Spectacle Stroller". I'll post more about that in a different post.

Rachel Coleman performing some of her Signing Time songs after the walk.