I guess you could say I'm just feeling a little bit thankful...

I think my word for the year is going to be THANKFUL.  I am just so thankful for everything in my life and every experience I've been so fortunate to have. I look back and now have an appreciation for even the struggles in my life because, I see how God used those experiences to make me into the woman I am today. I'm thankful God  turned my life around. I'm thankful God has given me a second chance. I'm thankful he's given me the strength to endure. I'm thankful for the mentors in my life. I'm thankful for the prayer warriors in our lives. I'm thankful for God's grace and covering over David and I. I'm thankful God has given me a son that his light shines through. I'm thankful for my church and my youth group. I'm thankful for my classroom and my staff. I'm thankful for the little lives that bless me every single day with their smile. I'm also thankful for their families who share them with me.  I'm thankful for all the hero moms I know raising special needs superheroes. I'm thankful for my support system inside and outside of my school. I'm thankful for the scholarships that invested in me and my future. I'm thankful for all the friends and family who always support all of my many social missions. I am thankful for our friends that lend us their legs. I'm thankful for the clerk at Circle K who smiles at me and asks about my students every morning when I get coffee.  I'm thankful for the friends who prayed me out of dark places and the friends who've shared in so many joyous adventures with me. I'm thankful for my family and my beautiful nephews and nieces who make me a proud aunt. I'm thankful for those of you whose posts have encouraged and inspired me.   I'm also thankful for each and everyone of you. I'm thankful that when the world said you can't do this, God said YES YOU CAN! THANK GOD TODAY, HE IS AMAZING!

Let make this families dreams come true

Can anyone help me get this letter to Justin Bieber or anyone who can help us get this little angel a Meet and Greet.   #helpangelitameetbieber

Dear Justin Bieber,



I am writing this letter on behalf of a beautiful family I know. I met Dalia in a group for moms parenting special needs children. I learned about the tragic day that changed their families lives. At age four while playing in a bounce house, Dalia’s youngest daughter Angelita fell, and was trampled by other children. No one knew how serious her injury was, until hours later when doctors informed the family that Angelita has suffered a spinal cord injury and would spend the rest of her life paralyzed from the neck down. Life as they new forever changed in an instant. There once vibrant daughter now needed a chair to get around, a ventilator to breath for her, and a g-tube to help her eat. Despite this tragedy this family is one of the most positive and gracious families I know.



Angelita has been Justin Biebers fan for over four year. Her love for Bieber started in 2011 when she was stuck in the hospital while her body was recovering from her injury. Bieber was Angelita motivation, his music inspired her to be strong throughout her recovery process. As the family adjusted to their new normal Angelita began learning new ways to access the same things she once enjoyed so easily. She began using a computer that she could control using her eyes. The family was astonished when her first successful attempt was to find and view the Justin Bieber video “Never say Never”. The song quickly became Angelita motto, and she has lived the last four years refusing to let anything crush her precious spirits. 

At that time she did not have the strength to speak very well but she did manage to sing along to her favorite songs like "Baby" and "One less lonely girl". Her admiration for Justin has not faded, since then her dream has been to be able to meet Justin one day.  It comes second to her ultimate dream to marry him.



Angelita is a strong, inspiring little girl, her energy is spread through her smile that brightens the lives of everyone blessed to share it with her.  Justin's songs have helped Angelita overcome the tragedy and loss in her life and watching her overcome her loss has allowed her amazing mom to heal as well. Angelita is now an independent 9 year old that loves a challenge. She truly is a "believer".  She believes that there is good in everyone, she believes that a smile can brighten anyone's day, she believes that she can make a difference in this world and she does. Most importantly, she believes that one day she will be able to walk again.

  At age four Angelita told her parents that she prayed everyday that she could walk again, but since God had not answered yet, she new it was because their were other children who needed him more. A young girl wise beyond her years and destined for greatness. 



I would love nothing more than to make this incredible Hero's

 dream to meet Bieber come true. Not only would the experience be life altering for Angelita it would also impact her family that has rearrange their entire life to give Angelita the life she needs and deserves. Her mom Dalia has already had to watch her daughter miss out on so many things as a result of her injury and limitations. Her mom said to me “I would like nothing more than to make all of her wishes come true. I can't make her walk again but what I can do is ask for help to make it possible for her to meet Justin Beiber. She truly is an amazing girl and deserves so much".

Of course Angelita’s Christmas wish was for tickets to the Justin Bieber concert in Arizona this March. Surprising her with a meet and greet with Justin would not only make this precious souls dreams come true, it would honor her journey, and the strength and courage she has shared with all those who know her. 



Please help us make this happen for this incredible family who has already had to sacrifice so much,

Michelle Campuzano

Mighty Moms Rock

I can't begin to express how much each and everyone of you mean to me.    Thank you for inspiring me and reminding me that I am not alone.  You are all courageous hero's in my book.  From the mom whose daughter was perfectly normal until a tragic accident, the moms who have spent a majority of their child's life in a hospital, the mom who fosters children, investing in special little lives despite her own obstacles,  the mom whose traveled this journey for months, years, or decades, thanks for sharing your journey with me and supporting me through mine!  You Mighty Moms go above and beyond to ensure your children get the most out of life, no matter the sacrifice it cost you, because thats how incredible you are.   I love making memories with you all.  I look forward to the laughs and tears we share together at retreat.

Last but not least a very valuable lesson learned...  Chinchilla don't fart!

Team Andrew

Wait I can explain....

Those of you who know me know I would do ANYTHING for the kiddos in my life. Andrew is one of my incredible students who I have had the privilege of teaching for two years.  This little boy is responsible for putting a smile on my face each and every day. One of our morning rituals is fighting over our choices in football teams.  

Today Andrew is under going his third major surgery.  Now that he's older and can understand the process, he has had great anxiety about having to endure yet another painful surgery and the recovery process.  I wish I could take his place because watching him suffer makes my heart ache.  

I decided to surprise him and show up at the hospital to see him off to surgery. I showed up representing his favorite football team to show him that no matter how much I love my 49ers, first and foremost I will always be Team Andrew!

So here it is, me in Saints attire. An image you will probably never see again! Lol

2016 Rock N' Roll Marathon ~ Team Best Buddies ~ Team David/Daryl

Thank you Kind Bars for supporting Team Best Buddies

#kindawesome 

David decided to take a nap during his News interview.

#12newsaz

Last year at this time we were registering for David's very first race. For the first time ever in our lives I was able to watch David cross his very first finish line, an opportunity I had longed and waited for for over 18 years.  Little did we know that, that experience would be the first of many for us.  What makes it even more meaningful is that we get to share the experience with some incredible people who have forever changed our lives!  Thank you for the opportunity to create worthwhile memories and build lifelong friends! Not only have you shared of your time, your talents, and your legs, you have shared your heart with us and you now have a significant place in our hearts. I can't thank you enough for all the selfless sacrifices you make to eliminate some of the obstacles in our lives.  #teambestbuddiesaz

The moments that make every obstacle in teaching worth it.

 My little Emma has struggled with her balance which has prevented her from walking. While problem solving we thought of putting a weighted lap pad in a back pack to help her with her balance. IT WORKED!!!!!

                                                                    January 2016

Today I am overwhelmed with joy!  God is so faithful!  For many years my heart ached for the experiences David and I never got to have.  As the years have passed I have learned to trust God and his promise.  I might not ever have the opportunity to see my own child walk, but God has graciously allowed me to still be part of the experience in others lives.  Emma is the 3rd child who came to me in a wheelchair that I have had the privilege of watching take steps.  Teachers salaries might be low, but our benefits are out of this world!

April 2015

I am so humbled by all of the love and support from friends, family, and even perfect strangers.  Thank you will never be enough!

                                                                 Avanfordavid.org

I'm feeling hopeful or just having a good day dream!

If I won the lottery first I would create a nonprofit called "David Duty".  I would rebuild hundreds of schools in Arizona.  Then I would help create spectacular programs and resources for the special needs community! Oh and I can't forget about my youth group. A missions trip around the world would be nice!  Just saying!!!!