Someone once said to me about Wil, “ but don’t you want him to be the best he can be?” This was in relation to a claim certain supplements could help take some of his Down syndrome features away. Of course, I want Wil to be the best he can be. But what I don’t … Continue reading Not A Chromosome Too Many For Being His Best
My Writing Summed Up in 7 Steps
If I were to sum up my writing surrounding Wil in 7 steps it would be: Wil wants and deserves to be treated as you’d treat anyone. As the individual he is. But, 47 chromosomes has an impact on Wil. To respect him for who he is, you cannot have an idealized view of what … Continue reading My Writing Summed Up in 7 Steps
Wild Cards & Wild Hairs
Picture day was today. Last night Wil took a shower in preparation, and spent extra time choosing a shampoo. I heard him talking to himself as he smelled each one. “Ewww! Too strong. Hmmm, this is old. Mmmm, smells good.” With his sisters gone to college, Wil can safely use what they’ve left behind without … Continue reading Wild Cards & Wild Hairs
Time to Share the Mic: Authenticating the Voice of Disability in Film
Should people without disabilties play parts in film of people with disabilties? There have been some impressive performances of such cases. But then I thought, if Wil were an actor, would he be hired to play any part but of the person with Down syndrome? That would be summed up in two letters: NO. And … Continue reading Time to Share the Mic: Authenticating the Voice of Disability in Film
Appreciation of the Destination
Matt and I went out on the paddle boards and took Wil in the kayak. Wil was very proficient at paddling backwards, but didn’t quite catch on to paddling forward. Wil found himself deep in the lily pads— he got frustrated, so Matt went back to get a bungee out of the truck, and bungeed … Continue reading Appreciation of the Destination
On Teenage Terms
Wil was being a full-on teenager and I was being a full-on frustrated parent of a teenager. I had prepared him for this orthodontist appointment for over a week. And he likes the orthodontist. He likes the orthodontic hygienists. He likes picking out new colored bands for his braces. The issue was not the orthodontist. … Continue reading On Teenage Terms
To Be or Not To Be
Individuals with disabilities are not more or less special — they are not put on this planet to teach us. All of us are born of the same place; all of us are born of our own ways. All of us are here just as we all are—meant to live and breathe and express our … Continue reading To Be or Not To Be
Self-Care, Self-Realization, Self-Worth
I just read an article about self-care in raising a child with Down syndrome. Eat healthy, load up on those fruits and veggies. Drink lots of water. Get more sleep. Oh, and don’t forget to carve out personal time for you. The author qualified that this can be challenging when you have a child with … Continue reading Self-Care, Self-Realization, Self-Worth
Firmly Rooted
This Monday there was not a 7 minute standoff success story as I shared last Monday. In fact, after 20 minutes I remained the only one standing. After giving Wil silent time to process, there was not a hint of progress. I tried being silly. Wil loves being silly, so the tug to join my … Continue reading Firmly Rooted
Pinnacles
This blog isn’t about Wil, it’s about me in relation to Wil. And I guess all my blogs are really about that. Because I had no clue how to raise a child with Down syndrome. And I don’t think many of us do. There are parenting books, but how many of your typically-developing kids fit … Continue reading Pinnacles