Elizabeth sent me this picture of her and her sorority sister, Isabelle. They were visiting a cider mill and enjoying the day with their sisters. I love to see her big heart and smile, and loving life on her own. She has more than earned this time. She and her twin sister, Katherine, are great … Continue reading The Bright Side
Staying Open
It happened after an event in the high school gymnasium. I don’t remember the event, but the after-scene is a moving photograph vivid in my mind. Wil approached a group of male high school peers on the gymnasium floor. At his approach, the circle broke with fist bumps, hellos, and high-fives with Wil. Two boys … Continue reading Staying Open
Lift in Learning
Wil jumps on the trampoline. Free. Fun. Full of joy. His play is not forced; nor is it self-conscious. He hoots, he hollers. He’s in the moment. When tiredness sets in he rests. He sits on the black circular mat, looks around, and soaks in the feeling of his heart relaxing. This is not a … Continue reading Lift in Learning
It’s the Chocolate Chips in Life
“It has chocolate chips in it, Mom.” It’s those details that you never miss. The telling me about something, when at one time he couldn’t. I used to ask questions I knew he could answer. Because if he didn’t think he could, he’d shut down and I’d get nothing. When Wil used to eat a … Continue reading It’s the Chocolate Chips in Life
Life Beyond Definitions
He has delayed speech but he’s not delayed speech. Some of our traits carry deep meaning, and others just are what they are – we give them little thought. Or maybe they are fun to play with, like changing our hair color. It is our choice in what meaning we give to our various traits. … Continue reading Life Beyond Definitions
Steps in Time
Just 2 years ago during graduation party time I needed an eagle eye on Wil. At one party he fled the party and would not leave the front porch. At another he ran to a side street and sat in the middle of it. Yesterday, at each grad party he hung with his buddies. And … Continue reading Steps in Time
Patience v Desire to Understand
I’m not a patient person. But I’ve been called patient a lot since raising Wil. And I started to believe I grew in my patience. It’s possible I did. Last weekend Wil got stuck, and we had a very important wedding to get to. As the clock ticked I grew very frustrated. I wasn’t feeling … Continue reading Patience v Desire to Understand
Stages of Independence
I sat in my seat as Wil walked up on stage to receive his school honors. He needed no support or assistance. He, like his peers, walked from his seat to the stage and back to his seat. As he returned to his seat, I waved so he could find me, but he didn’t need … Continue reading Stages of Independence
Whale Starts with W
“I swallowed a marble.” I was in the living room. Wil was sitting in his bedroom adjacent to the living room. Wil often talks to himself – many of us do. It helps us better process our thoughts, and it’s the same for Wil and for many people with Down syndrome. I quite like eavesdropping … Continue reading Whale Starts with W
Inclusion: Reason to Care
I’m no born-natural. I’m not made to raise a child with Down syndrome. But here I am. And working as a paraprofessional, no less. I have a lot to offer, we all do. But I have a lot to learn; that’s exactly why am I where I am. Not because I was born with a … Continue reading Inclusion: Reason to Care