I Love Nordstroms

I wasn't going to even post anything today because I'm working on a future silly post, but then I heard about the Nordstrom Anniversary Catalog and I fell in love with that heavenly store all over again.  As if I actually need a good reason to go there and shop.  At least now I do have a great reason! Check out page 73 of their Anniversary Sale Catalog-- the young, handsome man to the left:


Click here to see this fabulous Nordstrom Catalog.

What a wonderful, wonderful model.  I just love it.  A young man who happens to have Down syndrome, featured in a major retailers catalog wearing a super cool outfit and looking incredibly hip.  Stereotypes-- BE GONE!!!!


There are other awesome retailers like Toy 'R Us, Target and Pampers who also feature children who have Down syndrome in their ads-- check out the little girl on the bottom left.

See-- I have some theories on some of the reasons why people are so afraid of Down syndrome.  Of why the termination rate of prenatally diagnosed children with Down syndrome hovers between 90-94% (brutal statistic-- right?).  My theory is that as humans, we all fear difference.  We fear standing out.  We fear not being like others, so therefore risking being disliked.  


Quick science lesson (language straight from the NDSS.org website):


In every cell in the human body there is a nucleus, where genetic material is stored in genes.  Genes carry the codes responsible for all of our inherited traits and are grouped along rod-like structures called chromosomes.  Normally, the nucleus of each cell contains 23 pairs of chromosomes, half of which are inherited from each parent. 

Down syndrome is usually caused by an error in cell division called "nondisjunction."  Nondisjunction results in an embryo with three copies of chromosome 21 instead of the usual two.  Prior to or at conception, a pair of 21^st chromosomes in either the sperm or the egg fails to separate.  As the embryo develops, the extra chromosome is replicated in every cell of the body.  This type of Down syndrome, which accounts for 95% of cases, is called Trisomy 21. 

One of the things that completely amazes me about this extra 21st chromosome is that there are common physical traits among individuals who have Down syndrome.  As explained on the ndss.org website, a few of those common traits are low muscle tone, small stature, an upward slant to the eyes, and a single deep crease across the center of the palm.  Now mind you-- every person with Down syndrome is a unique individual and may possess these characteristics to different degrees or not at all.  But isn't it quite incredible?  That despite race and gender, there may be common physical traits among individuals who are not even related.  It's almost incomprehensible-- I find it amazing.

To see other kids who, like Joey, happen to have Down syndrome, featured in every day ads with other children who do not have Down syndrome, well, it just gives me hope.  It fills my heart with wonder and possibilities. 


Educating, exposing, building awareness.  All things that as a mom and an advocate I strive to do.  It's the little steps that will hopefully make the world a better place for both of our sons whether or not they share physical traits with each other or anyone else.

There is one more link I have to share because I think she is so beautiful and I think these photos help to keep breaking all stereotypes.





The Girl With The Freckles-- oh how beautiful she is.  Click here to meet her. 





Oh, and p.s., The Girl With The Freckles also happens to have Down syndrome.  I just love her freckles!


Before I sign off I also must give a huge shout out to all the amazing people who have donated to Joey's Buddy Walk team so far and who have purchased t-shirts!!!  We put in our first order on Monday and we'd sold 80 t-shirts.  As of today, we are up to 20 t-shirts on this next order.  Also-- we have now sold t-shirts to folks in Ohio, Nebraska, DC, New Jersey, Connecticut, Georgia and North Carolina!!!

If you are interested in donating to his team for the Buddy Walk (or joining us!) click here.  


If you would like to order a T-shirt-- leave a message in the comments or email me.








Now get out there and do some major shopping at Nordy's!!!