I intentionally started running in 2013, but when I think back, it really started around late 2009 or 2010. When Wil learned to dash. The kids and I were part of an amazing parent-based learning program called First Steps (for babies up until your child went to kindergarten). The program was held in a school, … Continue reading We’ve Got Ourselves A Runner!
In Wil’s Words
Wil and I laid on our sectional couch just before bedtime. Our heads together, we made a right angle given that we are almost the same height from top to bottom. My boy is growing up. “Mom, we read ‘The Shoemaker.’” I smiled. It takes quiet moments like these for Wil to initiate a conversation. … Continue reading In Wil’s Words
Typical Truths
“He will always be happy.” “God only gives special children to special people.” “Kids with Down syndrome are angels on earth.” Or the dreaded, "I'm sorry." Words meant to heal. Words meant to help. Words meant to fill the gap of not knowing what else to say.I have experienced, however, these words don’t fit the … Continue reading Typical Truths
Champs of the Day
Two weeks ago, I shared a story with you about our tubing adventure on Lake Lansing with friends Cheri, Randy and their son, CJ. Thanks to Cheri’s patience, Wil overcame his fears and very tentatively got on the tube with her. With much coaxing, Cheri convinced Wil to go for a very slow ride. Wil’s … Continue reading Champs of the Day
Stepping Into the Real Story
There is a book called "Count Us In" that is written by two young men with Down syndrome (and as the book's description adds: with some word processing help from their mothers). This book was a symbolic "coming of age" for me.I started out reading beautiful books such as "Gifts 1: Mothers Reflect on How … Continue reading Stepping Into the Real Story
Person First
Person-first language. That was one of the first terms I learned. Wil is not a Down syndrome boy. Wil is a boy with Down syndrome. I also learned where the word Down came from: Dr. John Langdon Down. Dr. Down wasn’t the first person to discover Down syndrome, but he was the first person to fully describe … Continue reading Person First
Playing Catch-Up
Wil is an expert at the game of catch-up. It’s a game he plays every day. Wil has low muscle tone, which adds to the game. In fact, I’ve been told having low muscle tone feels like wearing a backpack all day long. It’s no surprise, then, that Wil’s favorite place to play is in … Continue reading Playing Catch-Up
What Grows Us
We all have experiences that "grow us." We move along in life, doing what we do, thinking what we think, then, whoomp, there it is. The something that "grows us."It's impactful enough to rethink the way we think. To resee what we thought we saw. To listen again to what we thought we heard. What … Continue reading What Grows Us
We All Have Hard Stuff
Yesterday, I just didn’t have it in me. Yesterday, I did not have the patience that on somedays I find miles of. Some days I wish Wil would just get up and get in the car when I ask him to. Some days I wish I could say, “We are leaving in 20 minutes,” and … Continue reading We All Have Hard Stuff
The Stage is his Playground
I was listening to a podcast and the host said that when he started speaking publicly, he was terrified of the size of the stage. There was too much room, too much space. So he started awkwardly, standing in his spot. He looked awkward, sounded awkward, moved awkwardly. When he started to view the stage … Continue reading The Stage is his Playground