Woman with Down syndrome swims Boston harbor

Strong winds and three foot waves don’t add up to a perfect day for a swim, but a fearless woman took the plunge into Boston Harbor today, swimming miles for a cause near and dear to her life.

Karen Gaffney, 31, is the first person with Down syndrome to complete a relay across the English Channel, and she also finished the "Escape from Alcatraz" relay triathlon in San Francisco.

Conditions cut today's swim a little short from Little Brewster Island to the L-Street bathhouse, but she still swam nearly four miles. She was in the water for three hours.

“I feel great,” Gaffney said after the swim.

“That type of challenge with wind was phenomenal. It was tough for boaters. I can only imagine what it was like for Karen,” said John Forgione, Karen’s swimming spotter.

Karen decided to swim the harbor to bring attention to Down Syndrome Awareness Month and raise money for the Massachusetts Down Syndrome Congress, which helps thousands of families.

“It was symbolic for her to leave from Little Brewster Harbor, with the light house, because she is a light of hope for all of us,” said Maureen Gallagher, executive director of M.D.S.C.

Karen also hoped to send a greater message, proving that her genetic diagnosis does not mean she is disables.

“Show people that we are more alike than we are different,” she said.

“She demonstrates every day what people with Down syndrome can achieve and how they can lead fulfilling lives in the community,” said Gallagher.

DONATIONS
If you would like to make a donation' to the MDSC to help support the walkers for a fundraiser Sunday, October 11th you can go : www.kintera.buddywalk2009.com and donate to Deborah Cruz for "Team Dylan."

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