I can’t
do anything
to change my
son’s disease. It
will ultimately
take his life no
matter what
I do, but I’ve
found a way to
give back.”
Exit
GREATEST
PERSON OF
THE WEEK
Natalie Blakemore &
Victoria Schmitt-Babb
Missouri
Moms On A
Mission
BY JORDAN
LANHAM
NATALIE BLAKEMORE used to
hate playgrounds.
The O’Fallon, Missouri mother
dreaded the monkey bars, slides
and brightly colored play areas
that were no fun for her threeyear-old son Zachary.
A rare genetic central nervous
system disease makes it difficult
for Zachary to walk and speak.
The playgrounds were making
PHOTOGRAPH BY WHITNEY CURTIS
HUFFINGTON
06.17.12
Blakemore,
right, and
SchmittBabb are
spreading a
message of
acceptance
by building
accessible
playgrounds.