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 theContinue reading “Let Us Embrace Our Vulnerable Population”
Tag Archives: Special Needs
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 ourContinue 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 yearsContinue reading “Unsuspected Connections”
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 veryContinue reading “I Feel Good!”
Deeper Than a Good Deed
One of my favorite parts about Special Olympics events is when I thank the volunteers for their time, and they say, “No, thank YOU! We are so very thankful for this opportunity.” And in further discussion you find they volunteered once as a “good deed” and now it’s 20 years later and they wouldn’t missContinue reading “Deeper Than a Good Deed”
House of Cards
Most of us don’t choose to be caregivers. Then next thing you know, you find yourself standing on a house of cards. Last night a friend was at a neighboring table for dinner with her husband and another couple. After they had eaten dinner, the other couple left. As our friend tried to leave, herContinue reading “House of Cards”
Centurion, Collaboration & Education
“I don’t want to live until I’m 100.” One said. “Oh, me either.” Replied another. Both shared their own beliefs for saying so. I found myself bristling. Actually jealous. And how silly of me. Who gets to choose how long they live? But what I found myself upset about was how they could take thisContinue reading “Centurion, Collaboration & Education”
Altitudes
Is skydiving hard? Is raising a child with Down syndrome hard? Though the questions remain static; our answers come from different places. **** Last night Wil and I drove to Elizabeth’s basketball game in Bedford (just north Toledo). A dark sky, flat un-scenic roads — minus the occasional Christmas lit homes — and nearly aContinue reading “Altitudes”
Another Gear
I pulled up in the driveway at 7:45AM after coaching. Just as I was about to exit my car to go inside our home and check on Wil’s readiness for school, he ran outside and into the car! He was fully dressed, complete with his hoodie, backpack and even socks (which sometimes prove challenging forContinue reading “Another Gear”
WILingness 