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
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 life … Continue reading Welcome
Inclusion Slam Dunk!
Wil’s paraprofessional, Kristi, told me how Wil — of his own will — went to the closet in gym class, pulled out two baskets and two balls. He proceeded to toss the balls in the baskets. His peers joined in his created game by cheering him on. Today I picked up Elizabeth, Wil and their … Continue reading Inclusion Slam Dunk!
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
Unsuspected Connections
Yesterday, checking out at the grocery store, the grocery clerk commented on the cupcakes I bought. I said the cupcakes were for my son’s classroom for his birthday. The grocery clerk asked how old my son was. I replied that he was my baby, and it was hard to believe he was already 16 years … Continue reading Unsuspected Connections
Filling In The Moment
I shared with Wil’s friend, that during the snow days off school, “Wil and I played with these big blow-up things that you put over your hands and then punch each other with.” Wil interrupted me with a flat-toned, “They are called Socker Boppers, Mom.” Wil is at a stage where he reads everything around … Continue reading Filling In The Moment
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?