Life Changing View

World Down Syndrome day has come and gone again.  Another year passed and another year spent advocating and raising awareness for Cora's future.  The passing of World Down syndrome day every year has taken on a new meaning for me.

You see, a little over three years ago I didn't even know this day and this kind of world wide celebration existed.  But alas, it did and it does.


Recently we went to the World Down Syndrome day celebration.  To get there we had to drive three hours, one way, to attend the party.  Offering Cora the opportunity to play and be around children who are like minded is worth the six hours of driving time.  I watched Cora walking from one activity to the next and heard the many comments on how much she has grown and how great she is walking compared to last time everyone had seen her.  Her ability to adapt in an environment full of running, playing and yelling children had me standing in awe of her.  She adapted, climbed, walked, played and wrestled. 

Cora has reached milestones that many believed she would never achieve.  One thing this journey has taught me is; never count anyone out until they count themselves done.  Cora rarely, if ever, gives up on achieving what has gained her focus.

I have also learned this Down syndrome journey isn't one to be taken lightly.  If you don't want to grow emotionally, spiritually and, yes, even in your own maturity level, than it is not one for you to take.  If you are open and willing to the lessons your child with Down syndrome will offer you, than climb on and strap yourself in because it is going to be one heck of a ride.  Never a straight road, always twisting and turning, dipping and flowing, but always - yes always- ending up at the destination you wanted to arrive at.

You see, Cora continues to teach me that doing things the usual way, or the normal (detest that way of explanation) way ,even the expected way of achieving things, is truly not the only way.  She can achieve the required result with ten different ways of doing it and the end result usually involves laughter, levity and down right hysterical moments.  Yet, her attempts resulted in her achieving the exact goal that was needed from her.

How are you doing in your life today?  Are you achieving the result you desired while looking at all the possible ways you might achieve it?  Or are you fixated on one goal and one way of doing it and ,therefore, feel like you are butting your head against a wall.

I write in my new book about using the definition "Differently Abled" for Cora , rather than the traditional definition of "Dis Abled".  Maybe, right now in your life, the lesson is for you to become more "Differently Abled" to achieve your dreams, instead of "One kind of Abled".

Blessings,
Katrina
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Cora is helping her little niece choose toys.  Love the tenderness of Cora's heart and her willingness to share.

Changing playgrounds

When reading a poster it made it sound  so  simple. The poster stated:  What you put into this life you will get back out of it.  If you are happy you will be surrounded by happy people.  If you are kind you will be surrounded by kind people.

I liked the poster and even believe in some of what it says.  Yet, I also think the poster implies that it is as easy as believing and not having to work for it.

On this journey with Cora I have found, and you have read it here before, that there are times when people are kindly dismissed from our lives.  No matter how happy, kind, caring and prayerful I am with that person their negativity and complaining just seemed to bring me down.  Cora greets everyone with a smile and a friendly "Hello".  This is usually reciprocated with a huge smile back, a hug even or maybe a kiss on her cheek.  There are also times when she is not met with kindness, caring words or happiness.

As the poster stated:  I can fill Cora's life with happiness and positiveness if I believe it.  This is true.  As I stand in faith and happiness it also give me the ability to politely dismiss "pissy poopy" people from our lives.

It really comes down to this:  

 Remember, in order to draw into your life that which you put out, you must also consider the people you share your life with. Allowing people in your life that continually cause turmoil or chaos, no matter how blessed you treat them, will continue to allow that negativity to participate in your life. In order to maintain a sense of peace and allow the "that which you put out will come back too you" way of things to work, you must be willing to allow some people to be less involved in your life. Love them from a distance, send them prayers or blessings yet limit the amount of time you physically and emotionally spend with them. In order for your life to change you must sometimes change your playgrounds and the ones you play with.

A lesson that Cora and this journey continually reminds me of.  Blessings to y'all today.

 

The Happy "Button"

As Cora gets older, many of her behaviors and emotions are maturing.  I find it humbling as I look back through the three years of her life, and see her accomplishments and activities. I am humbled by the perseverance and positive attitude that seems to be an inborn trait of hers.  There is no such thing as "can't do" in her vocabulary, tenaciously working at figuring out whatever has caught her attention.

In the last few days, Facebook has posted these little one minute videos reviewing a persons posts since they started using their services.  Mine was filled with Cora pictures and Cora accomplishments.  While I watched that video I was brought to tears of joy, and I was again humbled.  I watched her age progression and body development in that short one minute video and I was filled with an overflowing amount of gratitude and pride.  That feeling showed itself in the form of tears.

Seems like there are a great deal of tears in this house lately.  Now, don't get worried.  I am talking about tears of happiness, gratitude and yes, even tears of faith and abundance.  How does one cry tears of abundance?  With laughter.

I started today's blog post with the intention of coming to this point...laughter.  Cora's maturity level has now included laughter.  Laughter at the silliest things.  A full belly, tear inducing, breath stealing kind of laughter.  She hasn't had this in the past three years.  There was always little nasally giggly quiet laughter.  All of a sudden she can laugh with the best of us.  And laugh we do.

I am again granted a gift on this journey and that gift has been the laughter of Cora.  She can turn the most somber moment into a game of laughter and play.  That is a gift most professional comedians long to have, and Cora does it without inhibiting her laughter.  A pure, full belly, breath stealing laughter that is instantly contagious.

I ask you this, "How long has it been since you laughed or giggled?".  Has it been some time since you laughed so hard tears came to your eyes and you fought for the breath to laugh again?  Take a note from Cora and just let go.  Look around you and smile and laugh at the wonder of everything.  Be humbled enough to embrace laughter and not worry about who is looking or listening.  Be yourself and love yourself enough to offer the gift of happiness.  When you laugh that kind of laughter your life is filled with abundance of happiness and the faith it will happen again.

Spend this day in laughter.

Self-promotion Saturday

The reviews are coming in on the newest book! I am so excited, yet, at the same time, I am filled with humility and gratitude.  I am humbled enough to hesitate to self promote as much as I need to without seeming like I am continually "tooting" my own horn.  I am filled with gratitude that this life with Down syndrome is teaching me many Life Lessons.  Those lessons are taught in the form of a pint sized, 3 foot, blue eyed, strawberry blond, chatty patty, hugging baby girl. 

As I continue to travel this road with Cora I will continue to share the Life Lessons I am learning.  In hopes they will ease the path for other travelers on this journey, or maybe ease the path for those whose lives are touched with moments of chaos, hardships or trials that have nothing to do with Down syndrome.

With that, I have dubbed today Self-promotion Saturday!

Blessings my friends

Uplifting Down Syndrome

The newest book is published and available on amazon.com.  This is the third book I have written. I am happy with how this book turned out.  I wanted to write something inspirational for all the parents who are traveling this journey.  I think I accomplished that with this book. 

The real beauty of the book is it would be a good read, with many lessons and inspiration, for any parent or adult.  I hope you enjoy the new book as much as I enjoyed writing it.

Blessings,
Katrina

Pink Earmuffs are sometimes necessary

I need to share a story with y'all.


 Since getting my medical clearance and being able to again lift Cora, I have been taking Cora with me to Pickford when I run errands and to encourage her walking skills.


Adventures always motivate!


 While walking into the grocery store an older woman pulled up in her car. She got out of her car, the whole time watching Cora, and walked over to us.
"Oh, she is so adorable. How old is she?" She asked me.
 "Thank you," I said, "She is almost three years old.". 
 "Well," the woman replied as her smile faded away and was replaced with a stern look, "She should be walking so much better than that. You shouldn't be holding onto her hand and she should be walking on her own!". 
 I looked up and smiled at the woman. This beautiful, over seventy year old woman who was my elder and deserved the respect from me that her years demanded. "I think, for a child who has endured two open heart surgeries, she is doing phenomenal. Have a blessed day."
With that I walked away. Cora said "Bye" and blew her a kiss as we walked away.  Cora in her adorable snow boots crunching the snow as she worked at walking across the parking lot and into the store.

There continues to be moments on this journey where I long to be able to turn off the sound of another person's voice.  To push a button that floats in the air so I won't hear the words spoken in negativity to the progress that Cora has worked so hard for.  Often we have to find the next best thing.


While walking away from this woman and trudging through the parking lot as a snail's pace, each step a victory for my Little Button, I had one final thought about the encounter as Cora navigated the  step up and through the sliding doors and into the store, Where are Cora's pink earmuffs when I need them!!!

This journey with Down syndrome has taught me many lessons, lately the new ones seem to have a common theme.  I am learning to not take on another's comment, to not hold them as personal attacks.  I leave the conversation, or situation, with my head held high and my gratitude/peace of mind intact.  I refuse to allow another person who is negative to take up residence in my mind, after all they aren't going to pay rent for the space they occupy!  

I leave you with that thought today.  Increase awareness, defend your child, but do it with gratitude in your heart and a "not for rent" sign posted on your forehead.

 

((Lately Cora's favorite pasttime has been putting on the pink ear muffs I use in the summer time when I mow the lawn.  For an inspirational poster with her picture go to:  www.facebook.com/thegiftedchoice))

 

Cora keeps on growing!

Having reached the 90% on her growth chart, and spending time shopping for new clothes for the growing girl, I really noticed the change in her today.  She was playing in her favorite kitchen cupboard when I kept hearing her say, "Ouch".  I turned around from doing the dishes to find my Little Button was hitting her head on the cupboard interior.  She has grown so much she can no longer just reach into the cupboard without banging her little noggin on the wood.

Sep 2013

Jan 2013

This New Year is bringing many changes into my and Cora's life.  I hope you are open to the many changes it offers you.  Strive to grow and thrive in 2014, instead of staying stagnant and in the same ole rut as usual.  Stop and ask yourself, "Am I still banging my head on the same closed doors or am I making adjustments so I can move forward?" 


Keep enjoying our travels as we walk the road paved with Down syndrome and I will continue to challenge you just as Cora's daily adventures challenge me and teach me Life Lessons.


Blessings,
Katrina