Community is everything. đ Wil enjoying the music and festivities at a Buddy Walk past. To celebrate Wilâs 20th Buddy Walk, I penned an article for the Manchester Mirror all about the power of showing up, local love, and the amazing people who make it all possible. We are endlessly grateful for the support right … Continue reading Miles of Memories: Marking Two Decades of Community
Love the not-so-normal norm
Do you want me to tell you itâs all sunshine and rainbows? Itâs notâbut there is a lot of that. I really donât think you can enjoy the full extent of the sunshine without the rain, though. And can you really see all the colors of the rainbow without a cloudy backdrop? Iâm writing this, … Continue reading Love the not-so-normal norm
Spaces That Last
A farm where Wil has worked over the last few summers recently closed its doors. It was a space specifically created for people with disabilitiesâa true project of passion and heart started by a founder who has an adult daughter with a disability. In the end, he simply couldnât keep up with the funding.My heart … Continue reading Spaces That Last
Creating Space & Saving Spoons
I was just kinda wondering about a few things. Like, why do we get burned out? Why on some days do I love my sonâs stuttering. Itâs really not even stuttering, itâs halting, starting a word, bringing it back in and reforming it. Then it all tumbles out until the next words get backed up … Continue reading Creating Space & Saving Spoons
Creating Companions
Wil (in backwards cap) & friends To see our teenagers sit together comfortably, easily, familiarly â that was the goal many years ago when we parents joined Down Syndrome Support Team. We parents were just trying to figure out what the heck this life with an extra chromosome meant. We laughed, we cried, and we … Continue reading Creating Companions
What Silly Socks Donât Tell You
At school yesterday, we wore our silly socks for World Down Syndrome Day. Today is actually WDSD, but since there isnât school on Saturday, we celebrated on Friday. As the other teacher assistants and I walked down the hall to pick up our students from the bus, we talked about our socks. I said that, … Continue reading What Silly Socks Donât Tell You
Independence Takes a Village with Dependent Children
I have recently gotten back in the pool (after a year đ ) thanks to our friend, Dawn, taking great care of Wil after school and honing in on his life skills learning. While I swam Monday, Dawnâs husband came over to have a guitar jam session with Wil đ¸ When you have a dependent child, … Continue reading Independence Takes a Village with Dependent Children
Headway
Watching Wil get his haircut today had me nearly in tears. The clippers buzzing, Wil chatting, smiling, relaxed. Years ago this sight was a distant dream. The haircut triggered my emotions, but deep down itâs about progress. Itâs about feeling so desperate and on-guard with almost anything you do, because so much is a struggle … Continue reading Headway
Turning the Tide: A Story of Growth and Inclusion
Growing up, Wil has loved boat rides with his Grandma and Grandpa. So when his sisters were invited on an impromptu trip around the lake with some of the neighbor's kids, they jumped on â and Wil stayed back with his grandparents. My dad noticed a shift in Wilâs demeanor. He didnât say anything, but … Continue reading Turning the Tide: A Story of Growth and Inclusion
Down Right Perfect
I remember one day wearing a âDown Right Perfectâ t-shirt as I marched up to the high school doors to collect Wil after school hours because he had run from getting on the bus. He booked it up the steps to the second floor and hid. Once he was found, Mr. Walsh walked him down … Continue reading Down Right Perfect