f more people treated their loved ones as sweetly and respectfully as Molly and Alex treat one another the world would be a happier place.

I first met Alex during Special Olympics swim practice and we both did long distance swimming. I thought he was cute and i think he liked me but i later found out that he and Lauren were maybe together so i stopped being interested in him.

His laughter can turn your whole day around…Alex is a witty kid and definitely has a sense of humor (and sass!) that surprises me at times, even after knowing him my entire life.

The first time Alex competed in the 400 meter swim at Area games was so inspiring to watch. Because of the length it was the last competition of the meet. Most of the other parents and athletes were leaving but all the volunteers gathered round to watch.

People often expect that people with Down Syndrome lack problem solving skills. That isn’t the case. Alex’s creativity and tenacity have always been integral parts of his personality. Once, when he was about eight years old, playing soccer with a bunch of kids (most of them older than he was) the soccer ball was accidentally kicked into a narrow culvert running under the driveway.

My favorite thing about myself is making friends. I have lots of friends, I have friends from school, friends from the golf course, friends from Lago Vista (my hometown), friends from Special Olympics, friends from Chorus, friends from where I’ve worked. I’ve got an army of friends.