I got a really long email from Taryn who is back at UNCG after she “went home on Christmas break to see family and friends.” She talked about visiting with her friend Ali Hale who is another Rockin’ Recipient we have at WCU. They have been friends for a really long time and it touched my heart to hear her talk about how proud she was of her friend who is now returning for her last semester as a SENIOR in the UP Program there.

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My favorite part of the email was this:

“Me and my mom went to Charlotte to see ” Wicked ” and I got a keychain and a purple Wicked shirt too, I love that play a lot, when they sing I always mouth the words along with them I love their songs. My favorite song from wicked is “Defying Gravity.”

It makes me teary-eyed to picture her sitting there, mouthing the words “I’m through accepting limits, ’cause someone says they’re so. Some things I cannot change but, till I try I’ll never know..”

I feel like people like Taryn, Ali…even Ruby at the ripe ol age of 5…they are all “Defying Gravity”. They are breaking down barriers and creeping into uncharted territory and showing the world just what someone with Down syndrome is made of. Not just an extra 21st chromosome….so, so, so much more.

Taryn, you keep on mouthing all the words, heck, sing them from the top of your lungs. You are amazing and awesome and beautiful and inspiring and we are so, so ,so proud of you.