Making history Down Syndrome Style

Love this.  Two friends running the LA Marathon.  Oh yeah, they both have Down Syndrome.  Read on and enjoy.

Two friends with Down Syndrome to make history by completing the LA Marathon


 

Angela Armenta & Antoinette Mendoza are two friends who have Down Syndrome, but they are not letting that stop them from completing the LA Marathon March 18th!

These two determined ladies are part of Team ARC, an organization that helps individuals with developmental disabilities and an official charity of the LA Marathon. According to ARC, Angela & Antoinette will be the first women with Down Syndrome to complete the LA Marathon, and they are beyond excited to hold that title! Their inspiration came about when they saw their friends Rafael & Tim, two men with special needs, complete five marathons over the last few years.

Angela will embark on this journey with her friends by her side, along with her brother Joe and sister Rebecca, encouraging her to complete the 26.2 mile journey. Since the beginning of her training, her family says that Angela’s heath has improved and that through this rigorous process, her personality has come alive, her speech has improved and she is actively using new vocabulary words she has learned while training. Despite being diagnosed with a hole in her heart at age 5, with medical clearance from her doctor, Angela is determined to succeed and ready for this challenge!

Antoinette’s dream is to finish the marathon alongside her two friends, Rafael & Tim. Already an avid 5k participant, she is very proud of the medals she currently has and cannot wait to add the LA Marathon medal to the collection. Antoinette beams when she tells people about the race “I can do it, run all the way from Dodger stadium to the ocean, I try my best, 26.2 miles, I love it!” Antoinette will be running with Rafael, Tim, an ARC staff member who has volunteered to assist them and a Physical Therapy student from USC.

As these two inspirational ladies make history, Team ARC hopes to bring awareness to the developmentally disabled community and the importance of health & friendships, while giving hope to parents of children with special needs.

 About ARC:

ARC, Activities Recreation & Care, is a 501c3 organization that serves individuals with developmental disabilities, building people & community through programs & activities, while promoting the welfare of individuals with developmental disabilities. Team ARC is one of a kind. Caring people partner with ARC to run/walk events on behalf of individuals with developmental disabilities, to raise funds for programs & advocacy/awareness.  While Athletes with developmental disabilities join in the events as active members of the community and run/walk to strive towards their health & wellness goals and promote awareness in the community.

The ARC Activity Center and offices provide a home like atmosphere for weekday programs.  There are three residential housing properties for our Adaptive Living Program tenants.  ARC proudly provides direct services to over 100 individuals and their families in the Los Angeles area as well as advocates for and brings awareness to the community about developmental disabilities.  For 40 years, ARC has been committed to the idea that all people should be active members of the community with lives rich in interests and full of happiness. For more information, visit www.arcandadults.org/

Be gentle.