Author: Christie Taylor

DOWN SYNDROME AWARENESS MONTH – Day 9
What do you say when a mother gives birth to a child with Down syndrome?
“CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!!” of course!

DOWN SYNDROME AWARENESS MONTH – Day 8
Do you know the strength and coordination it takes to blow a bubble? It is an amazing process when broken down to it’s intricate basics.
I remember all the pieces it took for Wil to blow a bubble. The oral and fine motor skills all working together to form that perfect balance. It was such a thrill when it all came together for Wil. Blowing bubbles in his therapy sessions became his reward, and still are to this day. Years later, amidst everything I call “important and urgent” pale in comparison to the immense value of watching that soapy air-filled circle so easily form and take flight.

DOWN SYNDROME AWARENESS MONTH – Day 7
Wil never, ever holds his joy back. Even for the simplest things. He never misses a chance to dance with his shadow, thrill at the cloud of his breath in the chill of a morning, and say “mmmmm” with every sip of a vanilla shake.

Still one of my all time favorite articles. As this was written in 1980, please excuse some of the outdated language:

ODE TO SPECIAL MOMS
by Erma Bombeck (writer, columnist)

Most women become mothers by accident, some by choice, a few by social pressures and a couple by habit.

This year, nearly 100,000 women will become mothers of handicapped children. Did you ever wonder how mothers of handicapped children are chosen?

Somehow I visualize God hovering over Earth selecting his instruments for propagation with great care and deliberation. As he observes, he instructs his angels to make notes in a giant ledger.

“Armstrong, Beth, son, patron saint, Matthew. Forrest, Marjorie, daughter, patron saint, Cecilia.

“Rudledge, Carrie, twins, patron saint, give her Gerard. He’s used to profanity.”

Finally, he passes a name to an angel and smiles, “Give her a handicapped child.”

The angel is curious. “Why this one, God?” She’s so happy.”

“Exactly,” says God. “Could I give a handicapped child to a mother who does not know laughter? That would be cruel.”

“But has she patience?” asks the angel.

“I don’t want her to have too much patience or she will drown in a sea of self-pity and despair. Once the shock and resentment wear off, she’ll handle it.

“I watched her today. She has that feeling of self and independence that is so rare and so necessary in a mother. You see, the child I’m going to give her has his own world. She has to make it live in her world, and that’s not
going to be easy.”

“But, Lord, I don’t think she even believes in you.”

God smiles. “No matter. I can fix that. This one is perfect. She has just enough selfishness.”

The angel gasps, “Selfishness? Is that a virtue?”

God nods. “If she can’t separate herself from the child occasionally, she’ll never survive. Yes, here is a woman whom I will bless with a child less than perfect. She doesn’t realize it yet, but she is to be envied. She will never take for granted a ‘spoken word.’ She will never consider a ‘step’ ordinary. When her child says ‘Momma’ for the first time, she will be present at a miracle and know it! When she describes a tree or a sunset to her blind child, she will see it as few people ever see my creations.

“I will permit her to see clearly the things I see . . . ignorance, cruelty, prejudice . . . and allow her to rise above them. She will never be alone. I will be at her side every minute of every day of her life, because she is doing my work as surely as she is here by my side.”

“And what about her patron saint?” asks the angel, pen poised midair.

God smiles. “A mirror will suffice.”

Erma Bombeck
May 1980
Universal Press

DOWN SYNDROME AWARENESS MONTH – Day 5
The word “retard” is never ok. Not joking around, not in play, not in any way. Nope, no-how, no-way.
Still having a problem with that? Spend a few minutes with these two, and you will know exactly what I mean. Respect and rejoice will easily rise to the top of your “r” word vocabulary.

With the multiple similarities and differences between having 46 or 47 chromosomes, when it comes down to it, Wil is my son and that’s all that truly counts.

Wil does not “suffer” from Down syndrome. Nor does he have a “disease.” Please do not be “sorry” for us. We celebrate Wil and ALL that he is, including his extra special chromosome!

DOWN SYNDROME AWARENESS MONTH, Day 2!

Our kids are not always super sweet and happy. Wil hurts, Wil gets angry, Wil gets stubborn and digs in his heels, just like any one of us. But one trait Wil has that not all of us use…is though he remembers the hurt and anger, he never holds a grudge. He moves on and lives fully in the next moment. That is one reason he is happy, loving and giving of that love more than most of us. Wil is an amazing teacher not because he lectures. Wil is an amazing teacher simply by living life the way he does and those of us fortunate enough to be part of his life learn and receive much.

Kisses to all our friends who support Down Syndrome Awareness and this special guy! It takes a village and we have an amazing one! Happy Down Syndrome Awareness Month!!!!

We all need hugs every day. I believe there is even science to prove it. It’s easy to forget that though, in the hustle and bustle of everyday life.

Wil never, ever forgets a hug. And he will not accept a quick, routine hug. It must be bonafide–a hug that conveys a true exchange of emotion.

Upon waking, Wil says, “Hug!” and links his arms around my neck. When I hand him his toothbrush he says, “Hug!” and we giggle at our reflection hugging in the mirror. When he comes home from school he says, “Hug!” and proceeds to tell me about his day, or pulls a drawing out of his backpack to show me.

Even if we are in a hurry, he won’t release his hug until he feels he’s gotten his true, shared hug back. As common as Wil’s hugs are, they never become commonplace.

These hugs, even on our busiest mornings (especially on our busiest mornings), are my wake-up calls. They lift my head above the fog of minutia to again see clearly the wider and brighter picture. When I believe I have not a second to spare is exactly when the longest hugs are most required.
(Photo: Wil and his amazing teacher).