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I wrote a quick essay about Chloe, how she inspired us to adopt her sister Olivia, and how, through her fierce battle with leukemia, she inspired thousands across the world to live their lives to the fullest. I attached a photo and hit Send.
A few months later I received a phone call from Kelle and a representative from both companies informing me that Chloe was among the 50 children selected to participate in the photo shoot–and as the grand-prize winner, we were flown to San Diego for a two-day, all-expenses-paid trip. We met Kelle and representatives from Infantino and Step2 companies.
During our two days there we were moved by the beauty surrounding the event and the stories behind every child there.
I’m sure I can speak for all parents there when I say the experience was one that will never be forgotten.
For two days we laughed, cried, and spent hours watching our children just be children. There were no stares, no stereotypes, and no disabilities.
There were just children in their perfect ways teaching all of us how EVERYBODY PLAYS!
Today both Chloe and Olivia are happy, healthy
3-year-olds. They are attending preschool and continue to thrive. Every day they amaze us with their abilities. Every day they make us smile. And every day they make us aware that true perfection dwells in them.
Over the last 2 years, through both our adoption and cancer journeys we have experienced an outpouring of love and support from family, friends, our local Down syndrome community, and from strangers far and wide.
Thank you all from the bottom of our hearts. And thank you, Chloe and Olivia, for showing us how really perfect life can be.
Chloe, AKA Coco was selected last September as the spokesmodel for self acceptance in Infantino and Step2's "Everybody Plays" campaign.