"Shotgun"

As the month of Down syndrome awareness draws to a close I am once again astounded by the changes in Cora.  she has added a consistency in signing two and three word sentences along with a lessoning of random verbal words.  she has become quite adequate at saying "Brother", "Sister", "All done" and several other words.

I delight in knowing that she is able to be understood by others and not just myself and her siblings.  This month of Down syndrome awareness had me giving a speech at a book signing for the book that I wrote.  I found that while I was talking about the book, I was also sharing some heartfelt memories that Cora has offered me along this journey.

In the talk I could feel myself slipping into the role of Life Coach and Mother.  The two blending perfectly as I talked on and on for a half hour.  I met new people who share this journey with their own children who were born with Down syndrome, and I met people who had no idea what this journey is like.  After the talk I was given countless praises and compliments on my ability to engage a crowd and lift those that attended into a new degree of awareness.

Earlier in this month I spoke of a challenge for you to advocate for Cora and others that might be walking this path paved by Down syndrome.  I found myself again thrown into an arena of onlookers who were crying with me, laughing with me and enthralled at the healing that Cora was granted from our Creator.  While I have experience in public speaking and it does not bother me, I understand this is not for everyone.

As this month draws to a close and the Down syndrome awareness takes a backseat for other causes, I encourage you to keep in the front seat and riding shotgun with you until this time next year.  In the smallest of ways, or the biggest or ways, continue to advocate for Cora's growth and others too.  Try not to hide your support under a cloak of fear, share this journey with pride.  Grab the keys and rev the motor....

You just might hear a little voice shout "shotgun" as she signs "outside"!