Wednesday, July 10, 2013

Sometimes only the fingers work...

Small achievements lead to great victories! 

That is the statement for today.  Cora has struggled with using a fork for a few weeks now, and finally, achieved success.  She was so happy with herself that she waved the fork in the air after getting her piece of scrambled egg on it.  The egg immediately flew off the fork and Cora learned an important lesson.  Swinging a fork makes you loose the food you just put on it!  LOL.

Not to be undone by the fork, she went right back to trying again and was successful at getting another piece on her fork and fed herself.  This is  a wonderful milestone for Cora and I spent the greater part of a half hour clapping and encouraging her whenever she was successful.

She now spends most of her mealtime alternating between fork use and hand use.  It is a great victory for Cora as she was tenacious and kept trying until she succeeded. 

Remember its not how fast you run the race, its finishing it that really brings on the feeling of accomplishment.

Thursday, July 4, 2013

Advocate with Love

Its not "get -downs- with that"
It is "get down with that"

 Its not " get -downs- from there"
It is "get down from there"

 Its not "turn that frown upside- downs-"
It is "turn that frown upside down"

Its not " a downs child"
It is " a child with Down syndrome"
 
Its not "Downs, Downs syndrome, or even Downsy"
It is not an opportunity for anger when you hear these words.   However, it is an opportunity for education and awareness. 

 When someone repeats a term they have heard about our children with Down syndrome, instead of getting defensive and angry, use that moment for your own personal growth and the other person's growth.

 Educate them on how your child is a child first and foremost. Advocate for them to see your child as a human first and to see the Down syndrome second. Help them too understand.   Remember this: understanding, awareness, compassion, acceptance and listening cannot be heard over anger, but it will be heard through love.
 
 

Monday, July 1, 2013

Been a long road

Since publishing the book, Cora and I have been very busy.  The positive response to the book, via emails and letters, continues to flow everyday.  For this I am thankful and grateful.  My biggest hope with the book is that is will help educate people and open their eyes.

When looking at Cora I truly don't want someone to focus on Cora's Down syndrome.  I would like them to see her for what she is...a beautiful and delightful little girl.

I continue to strive to educate people.  It is my belief that ignorance breeds hate while education paves the road for acceptance and understanding.  I have become an ambassador for Michigan for the National Down Syndrome Society and I am learning how to do this to the best of my abilities.  In continuing to educate myself I can continue to educate others.  I didn't know over two years ago where my path would lead, but today I am a willing advocate for my daughter and if you are reading this and you have a child with Down syndrome, than I am willingly advocating for you child as well.

Today marks the day of the national press releases for the book.  With that knowledge I sent prayers for positive minds and open hearts in all who are touched by that press release.  When I received a list of everyone that was receiving a notice today, I was astounded by the number of contacts.  It took up 22 pages on my word program!  Yes, that is a great deal of people who will now be aware of the book.  Yet, that is also a great deal of people who are being offered the gift of sharing this book with everyone they know, but media, newspapers, radio stations, ect.

If, in that sharing, one mother gains the courage she needs for raising a child with Down syndrome than the book is serving its purpose.

So today, while this has been a long road for Cora and I , it marks a new part of our journey.  One that is filled with continual blessings.