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| Kenny giving a presentation on Tourette Syndrome Awareness to a 4th grade class at Lakeview Hope Academy. Kenny was asked by the school to come speak in this particular class due to one of the students also having Tourette Syndrome. It was wonderful to see such support from the student's fellow classmates by wanting to learn more about the diagnosis. |
Visiting Lakeview Hope Academy - May 2012
The Richards Family Featured in the Fort Lewis Ranger and McChord Airlifter - May 2012
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| After being awarded the 2012 National Zak Hollis Youth Achievement Award in Washington D.C. , Kenny came home to being featured in newspaper articles to include this one released in the Fort Lewis Ranger & McChord Airlifter. |
Cathy Budman Tourette Syndrome Presentation - Life Center, Tacoma - April 28, 2012
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| Cathy Budman, M.D. presenting on Tourette Syndrome: New Research, New Treatment. (This presentation was free to the general public through a partnerships of the national Tourette Syndrome Association and the U.S. Center for Disease Control Prevention). Thank you Life Center for letting us use your facilities in hosting this event! |
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| Todd Henry, President of the Washington & Oregon Tourette Syndrome Association presenting Kenny and I a Certificate of Appreciation in recognition of outstanding service to the community as a Youth Ambassador Team of the Tourette Syndrome Association. What a nice surprise! |
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| Cathy Budman, Todd Henry & Kenny - The event was a success! |
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| Dr. Holly Galbreath and Kenny - Holly served as Kenny's school psychologist through his elementary and middle school years. Not only that, but she is also the wife of one of Kenny's former Scout Master's. Kenny was so happy she was able to make it to today's workshop on TS. |
2012 National Tourette Syndrome Association Conference Trip - Day 8, Visiting Friends & Heading Ho me
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| Well, today is our last day in Washington D.C. and we were blessed to be picked up from our hotel by our good friends who used to live in Washington State before moving to D.C. 4 years ago. Kenny and Isiah were in the same class together in elementary school and of course his Mom Audra, also a military wife, and I had no problem hitting it off when we first met. We had a great time here visiting over lunch before they drove us to the airport. We sure miss them, so it was great to catch up! |
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| As we were taking off, Kenny took this picture of the instrument landing system at the Reagan International Airport for his little brother Cody back home. Cody loves anything to do with airport runways! Thank you D.C. for an amazing week! We are looking forward to seeing Cody and Daddy though! |
2012 National Tourette Syndrome Association Conference Trip - Day 7, More Training and Awards Night
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| Kenny with Richard Paul Evans - #1 best selling author of "The Christmas Box" and Keynote Speaker during today's lunch hour. He was fabulous! |
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| It was a pleasure to meet and visit with another pageant sister Blair Abene - Miss Louisiana 2009. Blair herself has Tourette Syndrome and have used her title to promote TS Awareness. |
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| Kenny with David Pittman - the first contestant with TS to make the Top 70 cut on American Idol - Season 9. Now he is using his fame and musical talent to continue to promote TS Awareness. |
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| Kenny with his Aunt's Nephew from Texas - I guess you could say they are cousins through marriage. It was great for them to meet each other at the Conference! |
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| Kenny with Michelle Gutmann - Field Services Manager with the National Tourette Syndrome Association - the Mastermind behind this year's Conference. She did an outstanding job! |
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| I love this picture of Kenny and I. What a memorable week we had as Mother and Son! |
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| Wow!!! What a surprise! Kenny is being awarded the 2012 National Zak Hollis Youth Achievement Award with the National Tourette Syndrome Association! |
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| Kenny receiving the 2012 National Zak Hollis Youth Achievement Award from the President of the National Tourette Syndrome Association Judit Ungar. What a HUGE honor! |
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| Kenny with fellow Youth Ambassadors and Zak Hollis Award Recipients! Again, what an honor to be chosen among these accomplished young men - so proud of all of thee boys! |
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| What a special treat to have Dr. Anthony Sims at the Awards Gala to witness Kenny receiving this prestigious award. Dr. Sims is one of the Doctors we have been working with over the past 2 years in practicing an alternative treatment for TS that has worked wonders for Kenny. In the future we will plan to share our story on this treatment when we have finished our journey. |
2012 National Tourette Syndrome Association Conference Trip - Day 6, Training & Workshops
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| To start off our day with training/workshop classes Kenny had to the privilege to visit with renowned motivational speaker of TS, Mark Higgins (Pastor and Colonel in the U.S. Army) on the left and Dr. Anthony Sims (one of Kenny's Dr.s whom we have worked with on an alternative treatment for TS) on the right. What a fabulous start to his day! |
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| While Kenny went to classes geared for teens, I attended the adult classes and to my surprise I found out that my sister-in-law's Mother-in-law and sister-in-law were attending the conference as well supporting their grandson/son who had been recently diagnosed with TS. They traveled all the way from Texas! So cool to have extended family with me in D.C.! |
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| To top off a day of training, on Friday night I had the pleasure to be a part of a drum circle hosted by the amazingly talented Matthew Giordano who was diagnosed with Ts at the age of five. He is such an inspiration! Everyone had a blast! |
2012 National Tourette Syndrome Association Conference Trip - Day 5, Trip to the Hill!
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| Youth Ambassadors are ready to head to Capital Hill to advocate for Tourette Syndrome Awareness! |
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| Kenny and Tarrin on the bus heading to Capital Hill! |
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| Kenny in front of our nation's Capital just getting off the bus. |
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| Youth Ambassadors on the Capital steps - 42 youth in all! |
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| Kenny and I with Jennifer and Jane Zwilling - the founders of the TSA Youth Ambassador Program. |
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| Kenny and Elridge Proctor - the mastermind behind our trip to the Hill! |
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| Kenny and I with our neighbors, Oregon Youth Ambassador Team - Christoper and Jennifer Kuiper. |
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| Visiting Washington Senator Maria Cantwell's Office |
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| Kenny speaking with Maria Cantwell's Legislative Aide |
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| Visiting Washington State Senator Patty Murray's Office |
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| Kenny speaking with Senator Murray's Legislative Aides |
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| Kenny with Washington Congressman Adam Smith |
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| Kenny with Congressman Adam Smith's Legislative Aides |
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| Mission Accomplished! |
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