Registration has opened for the Mini Marathon, and there is one special little lady making her debut this year; one-year-old Maia Browne.
Maia, who has Down syndrome, was being treated for Infantile Seizures last year during the event. Her mum Sinead, who was participating in the marathon herself, swore at the time that her daughter would join her in 2017.
Sinead is running as one of the Down Syndrome Centre’s leaders, and she is only delighted to partner up with an organisation that has done so much for her family.
Being informed of Maia’s diagnosis with Down syndrome was understandably overwhelming for Sinead, but the tot has ‘completely’ changed her family's lives.
“Things are simpler now – the most important thing for us is just being together. We are more relaxed and patient, and Maia has helped put our priorities in place,” explains Sinead.
“We take each day as it comes. I know now that Maia will reach all her milestones, just at her own pace. I know that we can cope and have coped well so far with being parents to a child with special needs. I certainly don't focus as much on Maia having Down syndrome as I did a few months ago.”
The Down Syndrome Centre – which Sinead stumbled across during a simple Google search – has played a major role in this transition.
After initially signing up for a baby massage course, Sinead knew she was onto a good thing.
"It was like a huge cloud lifted, and a lot of sadness that I was feeling at that time was just gone. After that session, I got into my car and cried. I was so happy and relieved to have met other new parents, and so happy that the centre was exactly what I had hoped it would be; a place of positivity and support,” she says.
After signing up for information seminars, physio sessions, and parent and baby classes, Sinead and Maia are now taking their experience with the centre to another level – by leading one of its Mini Marathon teams.
An excited Sinead explains: “The theme for our team this year is ‘Be A Star for Our Little Stars’, and I cannot wait to cover Maia in stars and bring her in with all the girls!”
Are you interested in signing up, and joining in the fun for a very good cause? Then this is your cue to get involved!
Join The Down Syndrome Centre’s Mini Marathon team!
The Down Syndrome Centre opened its doors in October 2014, and welcomes over 200 children and their families per week. The team there provide vital intervention services such as Speech and Language Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Physiotherapy, Counselling services, Baby Massage and many others, all with the aim of giving children with Down syndrome the most fulfilling and independent lives possible.
They need to raise €500k each year, and receive no government funding. For more information about joining their incredible Mini Marathon team, visit http://bit.ly/2kZDme1, or contact Aileen on (01) 661 8000/aileen@downsyndromecentre.ie.
Registration for the Mini Marathon is now open.
