Bridgie's Brigade



"Never, never be afraid to do what's right especially if the well-being of a person or animal is at stake. Society's punishments are small compared to the wounds we inflict on our souls when we look the other way".

- Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Bridgie's Brigade is about not looking the other way.



The National Down Syndrome Society has a campaign called 'We're More Alike Than Different', which I love.  Though I love this campaign and the idea of focusing on similarities, the reality is that there are differences.  However, these differences are not so extreme and the differences are what make people look the other way.

People tend to ignore and avoid the things and people they find undesirable, shying away from things and people they don't have experience around.  People are uncomfortable around different, disabled, or destitute.  Our society does not foster a philosophy of more alike than different.  Our society is one of survival of the fittest, the cream rises to the top, the end justifies the means--all of which leads to our own feelings of inadequacy and an extreme desire to be like everyone else.

Bridgie's Brigade will embody the idea that while we are all more alike than different, it's okay to be different and we should celebrate our differences as we are all gifted in different ways.

Bridgie's Brigade will support three charities, Best Buddies, The Special Olympics of Maryland, and Reece's Rainbow.

Best Buddies because it fosters the idea of relationships, interaction, and friendship among the differently abled.

http://www.bestbuddies.org/

The Special Olympics because it fosters physical fitness, teamwork, and reaching your goals.

http://www.somd.org/

Reece's Rainbow because they believe that all children born with Down Syndrome belong in loving

families and they act on behalf of those who cannot speak for themselves.  God Bless this organization.

http://reecesrainbow.org/

This is just the beginning of Bridgie's Brigade.  My expectations are lofty, as they always are, but I know that time and tides will ebb and flow with these types of things.  Help will be needed in a variety of ways to carry out the mission of Bridgie's Brigade.

You see it's not about our Bridgie really or even just our family, it is about ALL of us working together toward a better future for ALL of our children.  Reaching beyond what is 'socially acceptable', breaking down our own walls, and most certainly coming out of our comfort zones.

We hope that you will join Bridgie's Brigade for what it is now realizing the potential of what it can and will be.



Motivated or moved by this post?

1. Like Bridgie's Brigade on Faceook

2. Donate to my individual crusade for the best buddies challenge

http://www.dcchallenge2012.org/faf/donorReg/donorPledge.asp?ievent=997266&lis=0&kntae997266=ADA60BAE47984907B95C6AB1DD8221BB

3. Join Bridgie's Brigade for the best buddies challenge or make a donation to the team

http://www.dcchallenge2012.org/faf/search/searchTeamPart.asp?ievent=997266&lis=0&kntae997266=ADA60BAE47984907B95C6AB1DD8221BB&supId=0&team=4942614&cj=Y

4. Offer to help in another way...know how to create a website, know a t-shirt printer, know a printer/copier, own a business want to be a sponsor?  Got another idea?  We would love to hear it!!!

5.  Pray for Bridgie's Brigade to be successful in turning hearts and minds.