"The first problem for all of us, men and women, is not to learn, but to unlearn. We are filled with popular wisdom of several centuries just past, and we are terrified to give it up." Gloria Steinem may have had women’s rights on her mind with this quote, but it rings very true for … Continue reading Discarding “Popular” Wisdom
How We Celebrate
Wil chose not to wear green today. Just because he was told to. I wouldn't be surprised to find him dressed in green tomorrow; because it would be his choice. Wil did follow the color code on Valentine's Day. He had been coveting Elizabeth's neon pink shirt and she let him borrow it for the … Continue reading How We Celebrate
Let Us Embrace Our Vulnerable Population
In embracing our vulnerable population we embrace our own vulnerabilities. We crave Love. Love is the base of all things. Love is survival. We crave, live and breathe for Love. In embracing individuals that we previously misconceived as having lesser value, we find in fact their value is greater than ours as theirs is the … Continue reading Let Us Embrace Our Vulnerable Population
He’s the Whole Package
Down syndrome is not all of him — it is a very real part of him to not only be accepted, but also embraced to embrace the whole of him. 💙
HOW WE BEND
Today Wil and Manny went bowling. Both are teens with Down syndrome. Manny’s mom, Laura, and I share frequently about our plans, thoughts and concerns for the future. Thoughts about our boys as they age out of the school system; after friends have moved on to college, to jobs, to get married. How will our … Continue reading HOW WE BEND
I Feel Good!
I remember, when Wil was a brand new baby, I walked into my first Down Syndrome Support Team (DSST) meeting. Young kids with Down syndrome were running around playing like young kids do. Everything was so normal, and yet it wasn’t to me, because all these kids had Down syndrome. I went home, though very … Continue reading I Feel Good!
Under-where?
I made Wil’s breakfast and busied myself in the kitchen awaiting Wil’s typical wide-armed entry into the living room with a hearty, “Look at me, Mom!” (He takes great pride in his clothing selection each day.) “Oooo, fancy!” I’ll reply. This morning, however, just enough time had passed to suspect something was wrong. “Do you … Continue reading Under-where?
Interrupted Giggle
Last night I gave Wil a hug before bed and as a joke he blew on my cheek. I started laughing, and he started laughing. He kept trying to blow on my cheek again and again but each blow was interrupted by his uncontrollable giggles. This is the magic that you don’t know; that you … Continue reading Interrupted Giggle
Centurion, Collaboration & Education
"I don't want to live until I'm 100." One said. "Oh, me either." Replied another. Both shared their own beliefs for saying so. I found myself bristling. Actually jealous. And how silly of me. Who gets to choose how long they live? But what I found myself upset about was how they could take this … Continue reading Centurion, Collaboration & Education
Altitudes
Is skydiving hard? Is raising a child with Down syndrome hard? Though the questions remain static; our answers come from different places. **** Last night Wil and I drove to Elizabeth’s basketball game in Bedford (just north Toledo). A dark sky, flat un-scenic roads — minus the occasional Christmas lit homes — and nearly a … Continue reading Altitudes