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Thank you, Papa’s Raw Bar, for hosting our latest fundraiser!

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What a night! We had a great time at Papa’s Raw Bar where our 2nd Annual fundraiser was hosted for the Broward Gold Coast Down Syndrome Organization!  Special thanks to Troy Gander and Papa’s Raw Bar for their hospitality. We are very lucky to partner with, and be invited to, the Down Syndrome Association of Central Florida’s Annual fishing trip for dads and their kids in July. Thank you, everyone, for and incredible day of fishing and delicious food!

Papa’s Raw Bar is a Casual, Island style, laid back but professional, friendly, very familiar and comfortable restaurant.

With over 40 years of experience in the seafood industry, we have built a great relationship with our community, employees, vendors and fisherman. We have our own fishing boats, specializing in stone crabs, conch and fresh fish so you can trust that your food is nothing but the freshest. Providing our customers with a great quality experience is very important to us. We thrive on being the talk of the town and being an enjoyable place to go to. We stand by giving you quality drinks and food that is always delivered fresh overnight from our boats to your table. Our passion for serving fresh seafood, being a Florida “go to” local hotspot, and bringing smiles to our customers faces is what makes us enjoy what we do so much. Stop by for dinner, drinks, happy hour, local events, live music, catering services and so much more. We look forward to seeing you!

Thank you, Tony DiGiulion and Pelagic Gear, for an Amazing Day!

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Thank huge thank you to Pelagic Fishing Gear for their very generous donation! Tony DiGiulion, from Pelagic, not only guided us on our 2nd Annual DADS Fishing trip, but organized another amazing Pelagic Night at Papa’s Raw Bar fundraiser, all in support of the Broward Gold Coast Down Syndrome Organization! We look forward to this day all year: a day of good memories, company, and food! Thank you for your kindness, generosity and continued support! We appreciate you!

For over 20 years, PELAGIC has provided the dedicated waterman with the best technical apparel, premium polarized optics, and ocean-inspired gear. Founded in 2002 off the coast of Southern California, PELAGIC was inspired by a love for the offshore lifestyle and the need for products that professional captains, mates, deckhands, and waterman could rely on. PELAGIC has used years of feedback from top captains and mates from the oceans around the world to provide ultimate performance.

Performance Fishing Clothing | Pelagic Official Site | PELAGIC Fishing Gear (pelagicgear.com)

Thank you, A Special Miracle, for your Silver Sponsorship!

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Thank you to A Special Miracle for your Silver Sponsorship renewal! We appreciate your continued support of the Step Up 4 Down Syndrome 2024 Walk and the Broward Gold Coast Down Syndrome Organization!

We look forward to seeing you in October, National Down Syndrome Awareness Month, as we celebrate our loved ones with Down syndrome!
A Special Miracle is a non-profit organization with a commitment to “uplifting families with Down syndrome” through: support, education, community, and possibility.

Thank you to Padrino’s Cuban Restaurants, our new Bronze Sponsor!

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Welcome to our newest Bronze Sponsor, Padrino’s Cuban Restaurants! We appreciate your support of the Broward Gold Coast Down Syndrome Organization and our Step Up 4 Down Syndrome 2024 Walk!

Family owned and operated since 1976, Padrino’s serves their authentic Cuban recipes six days a week, as they are closed Mondays.  With 5 locations to enjoy, Padrino’s is open for lunch, dinner and offers catering. Stop by and enjoy some delicious Cuban food today!

Family. Cuban. Tradition.

www.padrinos.com

Kaylee’s Health Journey by Risa Teate

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This is the journey of Kaylee Marie Gallegos. Kaylee was born in Boca Raton on August 14th, 1998, to her mom, Risa Teate, at age forty-six. She was born at twenty-seven weeks gestation, at two pounds, nine ounces, and fourteen inches long, with Down syndrome and Autism. Ms. Teate is a licensed Elmo character from Sesame Street who does children’s parties and donates her time to schools, camps, and hospitals. She has also been in People magazine and was featured with Bret Michaels, from the music group Poison, for donating her time at Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital for children with cancer.

Kaylee will soon celebrate her twenty-sixth birthday. She graduated from Monarch High School and was a part of their cheerleading team. Kaylee has always loved dancing, karaoke, reading, shopping, and fashion. Kaylee is a collector of reborn baby dolls, which are unique and very special to her. Kaylee has always had a happy childhood. From an early age, Kaylee’s mom has always told her that she isn’t special; she has special needs and is always treated as such.  Like every child, she had chores around the house and was expected to complete her schoolwork before playtime. Kaylee has always been a people person; she loves everyone. Her mom has always said th at the perfect job for her would be a greeter because she is so full of love.

Kaylee’s journey began when after a visit to her gynecologist, who also delivered Kaylee, she noted how much weight Kaylee had gained. The doctor told Risa that it was her responsibility to help Kaylee, and said Risa “took the easy way out” by having gastric bypass surgery, but that it was “not an option for Kaylee”. Miss Teate knew that it was not an easy way out, and started to think, “Why couldn’t Kaylee get the surgery?” She then proceeded to find a doctor who would be able to help Kaylee, who was very overweight, borderline diabetic, and suffering from Hidradenitis Suppurativa, an inflammatory disease that is usually related to obesity. Kaylee also suffered from depression and total loss of energy, unable to walk up the stairs of where she lived. NO doctor was willing to give Kaylee a consultation. After being turned down by fifteen doctors, Mom did not to give up. She was determined to find someone willing to help her daughter. After confiding in a friend, it was suggested that she try looking into Imperial Point Hospital Broward Health. In doing so, Ms. Teate found a general bariatric surgeon named Dr. Chi Zhang, MD. After researching, she realized he was a wonderful doctor and the perfect surgeon to talk to regarding Kaylee and her health. After examining Kaylee, he inquired why so many doctors turned her down. Although the previous doctors never gave her an answer why, she felt maybe they thought it would have been cruel to subject Kaylee to such surgery that she may not understand, or the changes to her body, diet and lifestyle. Dr. Zhang explained that it would be cruel to leave Kaylee in the state that she was. After seeing two psychiatrists, three dieticians, a cardiologist, and her primary doctor, Kaylee was cleared for surgery. On March 7th, 2023, Kaylee’s life took a turn for the better. She had gastric sleeve surgery at Imperial Point. Within two weeks, Kaylee was in the LA Fitness gym working out two to three times per week, followed by her clinical dietician Emilio Pena, who is part of Imperial Point Hospital and Dr. Zhang’s Physician group. Kaylee started losing weight and immediately began getting her energy back. Recovering wasn’t difficult because Kaylee had the will, the drive, and a great support team behind her. A few weeks later, Risa was contacted by the Broward Health Production Team, who asked if Kaylee would be interested in being part of their national TV commercials and billboards, along with having her documentary on YouTube and other publications. Kaylee is now the face of Broward Health and has a full page in the Sun Sentinel for Broward Health. Things have been wonderful. Kaylee has her health back and more energy than ever. She told Dr. Zhang that she had beat all odds, and he agreed! Kaylee is loving life as she now travels all over for modeling while sharing her story! The lesson is to never to underestimate someone with a disability who has the heart and the determination to do what they want!

Thank you, Suarez-Baster & Associates, LLC for your Silver Sponsorship!

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Thank you to Suarez-Baster & Associates LLC for your Silver Sponsorship of our Step Up 4 Down Syndrome 2024 Walk! Welcome to our BGCDSO family, we appreciate your support!
Suarez-Baster & Associates LLC is a firm that provides accounting and tax services. They specialize in bookkeeping, tax preparation, and payroll services for business owners. Additionally, they offer a wide range of consulting services to assist with financial management. Whether it’s reconciliation, tax submission, or consultation on accounting software packages, their team is there to support businesses.

Register now! Free “I AM” sign available with Early Bird Incentives!

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The Step Up 4 Down Syndrome 2024 Walk website is now open for early registrations!
Registration Fees:
Walk Registration (Ages 6 & Up) – $20 (Walk Registration 6/1-6/30. Includes t-shirt. Price increases to $25 on 7/1.)
Kids Walk Registration (Ages 5 & Under) – $10 (Includes t-shirt until 9/15)
Individual with Down syndrome – free (Includes t-shirt until 9/15)
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Special Incentives – 10 Days Only! (June 1st – 10th):
Team Captains: Add 10 team members or raise $200 donations between June 1st and June 10th and get a free “I Am” sign!
Vendors and Community Partners: Become a sponsor with a Sponsorship level of $500 or higher between June 1st and June 10th and get a free “I Am” sign and a table space at the walk!
Thank you for supporting Broward Gold Coast Down Syndrome Organization.