Four-year-old Raina Miers is a Carlyle Elementary School pre-kindergarten student who also studies dance, creates all kinds of crafts and loves music - both as a listener and an as enthusiastic singer and drummer. She's even appeared on the cover of The Observer twice.
Raina was born with Down Syndrome and last year, she inspired her family to fundraise and run for the Saskatchewan Down Syndrome Society. This year, Raina's Crew will run again in support of Saskatchewan residents with Down Syndrome and their families at the SDSS's GO21 Regina Fun Run, Sunday, June 3 at the city's Rick Hansen Park.
The SDSS states: “Our mission is to enhance the quality of life of individuals with Down Syndrome and their families through advocacy, awareness and education to ensure full participation in their communities.”
Or as Raina's mom Kellie Jones simply says: “They're my lifesaver. Since the day Raina was born, someone on their board from Regina contacted me. Through them, I met another mom whose daughter also has Down Syndrome. She's about two years older than Raina, so any concerns or victories I have or resources I need, she - and the SDSS - are there for me.”
Last year, Jones, Raina's dad Roger Miers and her sisters, Tori and Sidney Jones, joined Raina for the family's first-ever run and fundraised $700 for the SDSS.
“Our goal last year was only $200,” says Jones. “We didn't know what to expect, so our goal was pretty modest. We surpassed that and thanks to some pretty generous people who supported us, we raised $700.”
“Raina was in a stroller last year, but this year, she's going to walk the (2017) run with us,” she says. “Our goal this year is to raise $400 and I'm happy to say that we're over halfway there - and all of the money raised stays in Saskatchewan to help people with Down Syndrome and their families in this province.”
Jones says the generosity the family has experienced goes beyond the monetary.
“Carlyle Elementary School's peer inclusion is amazing,” she says. The principal Mr. (Tyler) Fehrenbach and Raina's teacher, Ms. (Karla) Ilchuk and the entire school community have been just great.”
“I'm just so proud of our community and the peer inclusion that Raina has experienced,” says Jones.
“Having a child with Down Syndrome has opened my eyes in a way that previously, I knew nothing about,” says Jones. “It's a journey that I couldn't have imagined and it's a beautiful journey, too.”
Donations over $10 for Raina's Run are tax-deductible. To contribute or to learn more, contact Kellie Jones at (306)-575-9778.
