Category: Uncategorized

DOWN SYNDROME AWARENESS MONTH – Day 15
The day I chose to fight for what I wanted,
rather than what I was against,
was the day limits lost their meaning.

DOWN SYNDROME AWARENESS MONTH – Day 14

Does cuteness count? Absolutely! ❤

DOWN SYNDROME AWARENESS MONTH – Day 13
I have met extraordinary people on this journey.
People who are not afraid to try new things.
Trying something new may be the only choice they have.
There is no “status quo” in the world of special needs.
There is only trying and trying again until something clicks.
When something does click, there is no elation like it.
Especially when that elation is shared with extraordinary people.

DOWN SYNDROME AWARENESS MONTH – Day 12
Though we may need to approach an obstacle in another way, I’m here to promise you that though it may be trying at times, it is always worth it.

DOWN SYNDROME AWARENESS MONTH – Day 11
It doesn’t matter how long it takes to make the climb. The triumph is in each step we took to get there.

 

DOWN SYNDROME AWARENESS MONTH – Day 10

Because disco globe mornings are our norm!

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 As this was written in 1980, please excuse some of the outdated language: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