One of our great fans has “Mominated” Rachel for the “100 Moms Who Are Changing the World” award. If she gets the most votes in the education category, she will win $5,000 for the Signing Time Foundation! There are two ways you can help Rachel win:

1. Go to her Momination page and click “Like” to vote for her.
2. Share this link through Facebook, Twitter or email.

Voting ends on September 20. Winners will be announced on September 27. Thank you for helping us acknowledge the inspiring work that Rachel does to make this world a better place for children of all ages and abilities.

Down Syndrome Buddy Walks take place around the country to celebrate Down Syndrome Awareness Month in October and to promote acceptance and inclusion of people with Down syndrome. Last year, 285,000 people participated, raising more than $11.2 million to benefit local programs and services as well as the national advocacy initiatives that benefit all individuals with Down syndrome. This year, we invite you to be a part of “Team Signing Time” for this fun, 1-mile walk to celebrate the many abilities and accomplishments of people with Down syndrome. Rachel Coleman will be participating in – and performing at – the following Buddy Walks:

Utah Down Syndrome Foundation Buddy Walk

Saturday, Sept. 10, 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
West Riverfront Park, South Jordan, Utah
Registration starts at 8:30 a.m.
Rachel’s performance starts at 10:30 a.m. followed by the walk.
Go to event page

National Down Syndrome Society Buddy Walk

Sat, Sept. 24, 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Great Hill in Central Park, NYC
Registration and activities begin at 11:00 a.m.
Walk begins at 12:20 p.m.
Join Team Signing Time for this event
Go to event page

Fox Cities Wisconsin Down Syndrome Awareness Walk

Pre-walk Event – with Rachel Coleman
Friday, Sept. 30, 6:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Perry Hall, UW Fox Valley, Menasha
Event starts at 7:00 p.m.
Go to pre-walk event page

Buddy Walk
Sat, Oct. 1, 10:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Riverside Park, Neenah
Registration and check-in starts at 10:30 a.m.
Walk begins at 1:00 p.m. with Signing Time Performance to follow Walk
Join Team Signing Time for this event
Go to event page

Greater Toledo Down Syndrome Association Buddy Walk
Sunday, Oct. 2, 12 p.m. – 4 p.m.
Rocket Hall, University of Toledo

Down Syndrome Association of Northern Virginia Buddy Walk
Sat., Oct. 15th 8:00am – 2:00pm
8:00am On-site registration
Bull Run Regional Park in Centerville, VA
Go to event page

• Find a Buddy Walk near you
• See Rachel’s live concert schedule
  
• Host a Rachel Live! Concert
  

Signing Time stars Alex and Leah filmed and edited this exclusive interview with their fathers, Aaron Coleman and Derek Brown. The “Signing Time Dads” talk about what they do behind the scenes at Two Little Hands Productions and share how they feel about being dads to Alex and Leah.

This video contains closed captioning.

Guest blog by Signing Time star Alex Brown, son of Signing Time co-creator, Emilie Brown

One time, when I was on the trampoline, my mother came out to check on me. I was practicing my front flips. She had walked out of the door right as I had over-rotated and smacked my face on the bar around the trampoline. I had just started to cry when I saw my mother right beside me. She was calling to my dad to get the car and take me to the ER. My mother was next to me the whole car ride, comforting me.

When we got there, we had to wait a couple of hours before we could get a plastic surgeon. The whole time, no matter how tedious it was to wait, she was with me making the pain go away. I was glad to have her there. Then she was up half the night with me when I got stitches. I had bitten through my lip. She has always been there for me to comfort me.

Whenever she can help me out, she seizes the opportunity. Not only does she help me, but she goes the extra mile. When I ask for a glass of water, she takes the time to turn on the water, makes sure it tastes good, walks across the kitchen to the freezer and puts ice in it. When I ask for help on my homework, she helps me and then explains it to me. When I ask for a scrambled egg, she makes me a gourmet omelet with sourdough bread and bacon. My mother is the best.

Alex and Emilie were recently interviewed together for the 10-year anniversary of Signing Time.

Watch the video here.
(scroll down to Day 4)