Monday, October 31, 2011

31 for 21 - Day 31 - Happy Halloween and Goodnight, Moon

What a month.  National Down Syndrome Awareness Month ends tonight and with it, we say, Happy Halloween and Goodnight, Moon.  (I don't actually know why we are saying Goodnight, Moon, but I love that book and I just started reading it to Joey after Tommy finally got sick of it after 3 years of the creepy old lady in the corner whispering hush.  Tommy also informed me that it is oatmeal and not mush in the bowl.   He also told us on Sunday morning that "I'm going to be a bad boy in church today."  He's got a lot to say these days.).  I feel like I've learned so much and hopefully shared as much as possible.  The biggest thing I've learned is how much amazing information is out there.  How many incredible parents, kids, families and individuals who's lives have all been touched in some way by Down syndrome.  We have met some new friends from across the country this month.   We've read some incredible and inspirational books.  It's been an awe-inspiring exercise to blog every single day for 31 days.  I thought I would run out of ideas and topics, but the more I write, the more I find!  






Joey is quick!  He managed to get a bite of one leaf before I could get it away!





One of the coolest parts of this month was hearing from some of the people I wrote about.  As a wanna-be writer and relatively new blogger, you write and you think that no one out there is reading what you have to say.  The awesome people I heard from included George Estreich who wrote The Shape of the Eye.  I heard from Amy Julia Becker who wrote A Good and Perfect Gift.  Rian of Trach Ties sent me a note and I love following her journey.  IDSC for Life and I connected and I am so grateful for their advocacy for people who have Down syndrome.  Mama Lewis wrote and we bonded across the ocean via the world wide web.  I also connected with Doozeedad and now I'm going to lobby to set Joey up with her beautiful Moxie (what a gorgeous little girl and her name--LOVE!!!). Finally, today I corresponded with the Global Down Syndrome Foundation after writing about their Be Beautiful Be Yourself Fashion Show that took place in Denver.  These connections and all of the insightful and awesome comments that the readers left are what have made this such a great October.  


A couple of years ago I did not pay attention to what Down syndrome was.  I didn't know what it meant to have it.  I was blissfully unaware.  Now I am grateful to the world that Down syndrome has opened up to me and my family.  I am humbled by the incredible experiences and stories that I have learned.  I am humbled by my baby boy's progress and spirit.  I used to think that I would never be able to slow down, to make it to all the doctor's appointments, to do all the therapies, but I was so wrong.  It's just our day to day.  It is truly our normal.  Instead of wanting to be normal or wanting to be like anyone else anymore, I'm just enjoying what is our version of it, Down syndrome and all.


Thank you for celebrating National Down Syndrome Awareness Month with Cowgirl Up!


Last drawing will be announced tomorrow for who wins the final $10 Starbucks Gift Card.


Happy Halloween!

4 comments:

  1. slcarinoOctober 31, 2011 at 11:49 PM

    Such a sweet lion and pirate! Thanks for sharing this month! Kisses to the boys!

    ReplyDelete
  2. LeahNovember 1, 2011 at 1:04 AM

    I really loved your posts this month. Thank you for all of them!

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  3. Todd's MomNovember 1, 2011 at 11:14 AM

    Even though we share many organizations and are almost neighbors, we might never have become friends because of the HUGE difference in our ages. However, we are both members of the Down Syndrome family and friends forever! Thank you for sharing your valuable time with all of us. Even old timers can learn something (internet wasn't available to us!) and hopefully, we can share our experiences and celebrate with you the new services/early intervention available today. I'm not sure you believed everything I told you when we first spoke before Joey was born, but I know my predictions have been validated. NEVER throw in the TOWELL......keep inspiring us.

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  4. MelissaNovember 1, 2011 at 1:45 PM

    I love all the costume pictures!

    I was fortunate enough to get to attend the Be Beautiful, Be Yourself fashion show last year. It's an amazing event and I can't wait until Claire is old enough to participate!

    ReplyDelete

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