These two young women have stepped up to the plate more than most realize; and they do it with love and grace. That said, Katherine and Elizabeth treat Wil like any little brother — loving him, being annoyed with him, and standing up for him. Their life requires an extra level that is not easyContinue reading “Special Needs Siblings”
Tag Archives: down syndrome awareness
Look Back/Move Forward
Yesterday afternoon Wil had a challenging moment. It’s been awhile since he’s tried to flee a situation; it was an impromptu situation with lots of moving parts. Of course, Wil’s challenging moment means a challenging moment for me and those around me, as well. After all was resolved and I had calmed myself down, IContinue reading “Look Back/Move Forward”
To “Be” or not to “Be”
At 53 years old I am a student. At 89 years old I will be a student. When I say goodbye to this world, I will be a student. Yesterday, I was trying to help a student who has autism. I was kind. I gave this student squeezes, I spoke calmly; soothingly. This student’s aggravationContinue reading “To “Be” or not to “Be””
The Perspective of Time
Wil has grown so much in his 10th grade year, and I can’t thank Kristi Campbell, Hope Schook and Heidi Drake enough for that! For this fact, it gives me space to snicker when I read about a day like this: 10:05 Refused to work10:08 Turned it around10:25 Refused to work10:30 Turned it around1:50 RefusedContinue reading “The Perspective of Time”
The Cure
My son will not play in the NBA; my son will not invent a new vaccine. My son will not design a software program nor manage your finances. My son will not drive a car nor drive a recycling truck. But my son sang for nearly 4 hours on our drive up north without anyContinue reading “The Cure”
Something New
Wil and I were at the orthodontist’s office. He has a top set of braces; this appointment was about a bottom set to correct his underbite. “As many kids with Down syndrome have a smaller upper jaw, the underbite is common,” the orthodontist said. The commonality of an underbite in people with Down syndrome, IContinue reading “Something New”
The Giggle Creator
Wil was just giggling to a tv show. Now he squished himself next to me in the Lazy-boy, as I was reading quietly, and started giggling. When I made him breakfast earlier, he danced around the kitchen, giggling. Wil’s a giggle creator. 💙😃
Discarding “Popular” Wisdom
“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 forContinue 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 theContinue reading “How We Celebrate”
Welcome
At a social function a man said to me that he felt sorry for people who had children with Down syndrome. How hard it must be. Then he met a woman he love’s daughter, who has Down syndrome. Now he can’t imagine life without knowing her daughter. He shared how much bigger and brighter lifeContinue reading “Welcome”
WILingness 