We get a lot of warning
To get up early in the morning
In order to do our trek best
We need to get a good breakfast

The shirts we get are blue
Which makes us look sharp too
On the bus we pack our load
And then we hit the road

At Naperville we arrive
At around nine twenty five
We get ready for the races
By putting on game faces

At noon we had our lunch
On hot dogs we did munch
We had potato chips
But there wasn’t any dip

We walked and jumped and ran
As fast as anyone can
We did shot and softball throw
And were on the go go go

Everybody tried their best
There was hardly time for rest
Some got ribbons some got medals
Which looked nice, like flower pedals

We put on sunscreen so we wouldn’t burn
Others didn’t, you’d think they’d learn
It was a nice day, not too hot
A little windy, but not a lot

They announced the winners out loud
It made us feel real proud
When they said our names we clapped
And high-fives we did slap

When it was done we headed back
Our ribbons and medals we did pack
And enjoyed the bus ride north
Thinking about the practices forth

The gold medal winners now prepare for State
They’ll need to come to practice and not be late
We’ll all be so excited for June
When everybody shoots for the Moon!

Car registration is open until May 28 for $15, or $20 at the door the day of the event.  Spectator admission is free and the day will include everything from music by Samadhi Vibe, DJ Randy, raffle prizes, auction baskets and a bake sale.  So, whether you are a vehicle owner, enthusiast or spectator join us at the Charity Car & Bike Show to benefit Lambs Farm’s programs for people with developmental disabilities!

You can also visit any of the 24 sponsor’s booths while at the event.  View all of our generous sponsors or register here!

Lambs Farm has the privilege of housing the Budweiser Clydesdales this year from May 14-21! On May 18, the Clydesdales will parade around Lambs Farm at 1pm for a perfect photo opportunity and a chance to see the horses more closely. This parade will coincide with Train Days our two-day event for kids to navigate model trains from Valley Model Railroad Association and participate in train related crafts and activities from 11am – 4pm on May 18 and 19.

The Budweiser Clydesdales are between 1,800 and 2,300 pounds! They are most easily recognized for the long hairs of the lower leg that cover the hooves and they are capable of pulling a 1-ton load at 5 MPH.

These impressive horses are only here for a short time, so make a trip out to Lambs Farm to see them before May 21.

My Life Story

My name is Catherine and I have Williams Syndrome.  I like to talk to families and tell them what I went through so they can help their kids get diagnosed while they are young.  I go to WS conferences and I am part of the WSA Dream Team (Williams Syndrome Association).  This year I will be going to a conference in Disneyland and I am excited to talk to families about what it is like to be an adult with Williams Syndrome.

When I talk to families I also talk to the guys my age.  They always have a lot of questions for me.  I went through a lot in high school when people told me I wasn’t able to do anything. I am much stronger now and I tell others that it is going to be ok.

People with Williams Syndrome are very friendly and love people.  I love opera, chocolate, jokes and the Vampire Diaries.   This year I got to go to an opera and I will be going to see Oklahoma at the Chicago Lyric Opera House. I also love to go to Michigan to see my family.

I think there needs to be more awareness for Williams Syndrome since it is not as familiar as Downs Syndrome or other disabilities.  I hope to start a walk to bring awareness some day.

This accreditation decision represents the highest level of accreditation that can be awarded to an organization and shows the organization’s substantial conformance to the CARF standards. An organization receiving a Three-Year Accreditation has put itself through a rigorous peer review process and has demonstrated to a team of surveyors during an on-site visit its commitment to offering programs and services that are measurable, accountable, and of the highest quality.

“This achievement is due to an exceptional staff of individuals who have a genuine commitment to and passion for the mission of Lambs Farm,” said Dianne Yaconetti, Lambs Farm President and CEO.

CARF is an independent, nonprofit accrediting body whose mission is to promote the quality, value, and optimal outcomes of services through a consultative accreditation process that centers on enhancing the lives of the persons served. Founded in 1966 as the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities, and now known as CARF International, the accrediting body establishes consumer-focused standards to help organizations measure and improve the quality of their programs and services.

Eunice Shriver Kennedy started the Special Olympics.  In 1960 the very first Special Olympics games were held at Soldier Field in Chicago, Illinois.  The games are widely known all over the world.  Special Olympics offers a huge number of activities including tennis, basketball, golf, bocce ball, swimming, bowling, and track and field.  It is an awesome experience for those who have developmental disabilities.

In 1995 Julia Roberson was head of Recreation at Lambs Farm.  She submitted my name for the Illinois International Special Olympics Team.  I was submitted for tennis that year.  No one, including me, thought anything of it.  We never expected to hear back from them.  Four or five months later I received a letter that I made the team.  The first thing I did was excitedly call my mom and dad.  They were electrified for me and they called and amazingly got the last hotel room in Connecticut.  The games lasted for an exciting two weeks.  I placed third in world games for singles tennis and fifth for doubles.  I was shocked; it was a monstrous sporting event that year.  Over 150 countries were in attendance.  The dorms accommodated people from other countries.  President Clinton presided over the opening ceremony.  I established friends that I still see at other Special Olympics events.  Also, I was able to meet and play tennis with professional tennis players.  I was also privileged enough to meet professional baseball and football players.

I would not swap my experience at the International Special Olympics that summer for anything in the world.  I made friends that summer that I will never forget.  The Special Olympics World Games made me a better athlete and a well-rounded person.  I will always remember the awesome summer of 1995.  It was the greatest experience of my entire life.

- Mike K.

Each year our Magnolia Café and Bakery hosts a Mother’s Day Brunch for the community.  As many Lambs Farm participants work at the Café in order to grow vocational skills, this opportunity can make Mother’s Day an enriching experience for all involved.

For brunch each family can choose from a feast of tasty items including breakfast favorites, fruit, lunch/dinner items and delicious desserts made from the bakery.

Additionally, many participants work hard to provide beautiful gift options for Mother’s Day that can be bought on the website or in the businesses.  This year’s gift options include a chocolate and toffee basket featuring two pounds of toffee!.  Visit shop.lambsfarm.org to purchase any items online.

Spring is nice.
The weather is warmer,
The leaves are coming on,
Baseball is here.

Branches don’t just grow on tress.
Buds blossom,
Flowers bloom,
Birds return.

Soon the pool will be open.
The sky is light,
The water is dark,
Bike trails glow yellow.

Summertime rains,
Not for all.
Tulips and sunsets,
Grow close.

-Chip S. & Suzette K.

MATP is for athletes who don’t yet have the skills to participate in a competitive environment. It aims to develop their motor skills with tasks such as pushing a ball, or stepping across a low bar. Many of these athletes have physical disabilities, as well as learning disabilities so the program is set up to enable each participant to engage in appropriate recreational activities geared to their ability level.

Through this program, participants are able to grow in skills necessary to one day join a Special Olympics team.

Our Recreation Specialist Ginny Luptak said, “We want everyone to have fun and have an opportunity to be part of Special Olympics. We also want to continually provide new recreational options for as many participants as we can, getting them involved and helping them grow.”

Training and participation is typically done on site and introduces individuals to age and functionally appropriate motor and sports activities.

These activities include:
• Mobility – leading to gymnastics
• Dexterity – leading to athletics
• Striking – leading to softball
• Kicking – leading to soccer
• Wheelchair – leading to athletics
• Aquatics – leading to swimming

So far, 20 participants are already signed up for this program and we are hopeful that this will launch into an exciting new opportunity here at Lambs Farm!