Buggy’s Impact 💙💛

Happy Down Syndrome Awareness Month! 💙💛

We kicked off this special month with the 8th Annual Ethan “Buggy” Lopez Miniature Golf Tournament on Sunday, October 5th! ⛳

Each year, Charlene Lopez, Buggy’s amazing mom, leads this event in loving memory of her son—celebrating his lasting impact on our community. Through this tournament, we honor Buggy’s joyful spirit and the incredible legacy he left at GiGi’s Playhouse El Paso.

In honor of Buggy, we’d like to share his story—told by Charlene herself—one of family, resilience, acceptance, and pure joy. His light continues to inspire us all every day. 💙

“Buggy” Lopez was born on December 18,
2013, and from the very beginning, he had a way
of drawing people in. Whether it was his energy,
his bright spirit, or simply who he was, people
were naturally drawn to Buggy.

He got his nickname as a newborn, when his
mom saw him bundled up in a blanket and
thought he looked just like the little “bugga
bugga” babies from Dora the Explora. The name
stuck- and soon everyone knew and loved him
as Buggy.

Buggy was determined, brave, strong, curious,
and wonderfully silly. He loved Chicka Chicka
Boom Boom and Five Little Monkeys Jumping on
the Bed, and nothing made him happier than
dancing, being silly, and making people smile. He
found his own way of doing things- always
studying carefully before attempting something
new- and often surprised everyone with his
unique approaches, like army crawling with his
legs stretched wide. At bedtime, he would only
drift off to the song “Selfie”, a little quirk that
became one of his sweetest trademarks.

Through GiGi’s Playhouse in El Paso, Buggy
blossomed. The programs there helped him learn
to sit up tall, dance, sign, socialize, verbalize, and
even walk. More importantly, they helped his
family embrace his diagnosis with love and
confidence, showing just how much more
children like Buggy can thrive when surrounded
by support and acceptance.

Though Buggy’s time here was far too short- he
passed away on Mother’s Day, May 14, 2017, at
just three and a half years old- his impact is
everlasting. He taught his family and community
more than any textbook ever could: about love,
acceptance, joy, and the beauty of life in its
truest form.

Today, Buggy’s memory inspires everything this
tournament stands for: celebrating life,
spreading Down syndrome awareness, and
embracing the gifts our children bring. His family
remains forever grateful to GiGi’s Playhouse, to
every volunteer, and to every person who
continues to honor Buggy by helping children
with Down syndrome shine.

Buggy was, and always will be, a bright light-
brave, silly, determined and deeply loved.