When you are the parent of a special needs child, it's hard not to over think what the future has in store for your child and your family. What will your child not be able to do? Will they be better or worse than most kids with her condition? Will she be healthy? Will our friends and family continue to include us in their lives like they always have?
As time has passed, we have been able to answer those questions with more certainty and less worry. Lu is who she is and most importantly she is a happy and healthy little girl. We are OK with our future, as Lu has provided us with so many wonderful friendships and a totally new outlook on life. Our relationships with our family and friends have become stronger and better than ever. Along the way, Lu has introduced us to thousands of new and interesting people. Life is good.
In the last month, we've had two unbelievable events which have reminded us that we are not alone and are surrounded by people who truly care about our little girl and other children with PKS. Over back to back weekends, we had the St Lucia White Party followed by the Do More for Charity Crossfit Competition. Between the two events, we were able to raise/win more than $50,000 for PKS Kids!! Amazing.
First, the party. It is hard to believe that while the party has become larger and a bit more fancy than it was 4 years ago, it still exudes meaning, love for our girl, and remains incredibly fun! Over 225 people purchased tickets to bid on 65 silent auction items valued at more than $20,000. The hosts worked harder than ever to make sure everything was perfect including the steel drum band, the fantastic food, the service, the wine and booze selections, the decorations, and of course the stilt walker and Voodoo Donuts desserts! My friend Michael Hidalgo and several others helped film a 10 minute video about Lu's life and the meaning/purpose of a special needs life. There is a link to the video below. Man, what a perfect night.
Then just a week later, two Crossfit teams (LuBirds Bandits and LuBirds Bandits Pro) competed in the largest charity Crossfit competition in the country with a prize purse of $105,000. My friends and I competed with the hopes of having fun, raising a little money, and with a goal of finishing in 10th place (we finished in 11th). Our second 6 person team (LuBird's Bandits Pro) were an unbelievable group of people whom all agreed to spend a weekend competing for Lucia and PKS Kids having never met myself and Lucia or having heard of PKS. The athletes on the Pro team were some of the best in the world and they proved it by finishing 2nd to win $19,000 for PKS Kids. We are so grateful that our old friends and new friends took an interest in competing and kicking serious ass for PKS Kids.
I've told several people that those two weeks were two of the best in my life, right up there with my wedding and honeymoon. Life is so good. Thank you party hosts, athletes, donors, sponsors, guests, fans, bar tenders, cooks, family, friends, spouses of hosts and athletes, PKS Kids, and God for making these events possible. The money raised will no doubt change lives for the better.
We love you guys!
The Dawkins Family.
https://youtu.be/UkS8lbF_NEE
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