FINDING BALANCE

Wouldn't it be something if we could just lose labels?  Instead of being "this" or "that" (fill in the blank because there are A LOT of them), we could just Be.  Period.  We live in a world of labels.  We label each other.  We label ourselves.  We often connect our identity to external labels and external circumstances.  Sometimes those labels are needed and useful.  But, more often than not, societal labels are harmful.  They...

For Down syndrome awareness month, I wanted to dig a little deeper into the more common facts that I've often read about Down syndrome, and also share a few less common facts.  If you have more than a few minutes, grab a cup of coffee (or two) and check out all 31.  I'm not kidding when I said I dug a little deeper - this is NOT a quick read!  If you are short on time and just want the quick facts, click...

I started a blog post over a year ago, and never published it.  Now, a year and some months later, I am back to finish it.  And, I am armed with new information and tactics -- and a story of success!

But first...lets go back to May 26, 2016...

This is not a blog post filled with advice and inspiration.  Because I have none on this topic.  It is merely a reflection on my daughter's difficult (peculiar?) behavior in the morni...

I have been married to my husband, Nick, for 13 years.  There is a lot to say about Nick, and about our relationship, but I'll just start with his eyes.  They are the kind that stop you in your tracks.  The icy blue color.  They are beautiful.  Of course, he is more than his eyes.  He is hard working, generous, caring and adventurous.  He does or says something every day that makes me laugh.  And he is a good dad.  Our kids ad...

I have three kids.  But I blog and share predominantly about one -- my son, Augie, who has Down syndrome.  He is not favored over the others.  What you see in my writing, on my blog and on social media, is just a glimpse into our lives.  It really doesn't do it justice, but I have to actually LIVE life, not just write about it!  

So why do I write and share more about Augie?  (Besides the...

"Augie is on the move!" I excitedly share on my Down Syndrome Diagnosis Network (DSDN) Facebook page.  The likes, loves, and comments start to roll in..."Yay!"  "Go Augie!"  "Love!"  While this may seem like just another social media exchange, I assure you it is not.  

Because these women GET it.  They get how hard Augie has had to work to BE on the move. It was no simple feat.  And so they ce...

Before I was pregnant with my son, Augie, I had only met one person with Down Syndrome.  My limited experience, both in breadth and depth, resulted in stereotypical perspectives of Down Syndrome molded from general information anyone could find on Google.  It wasn't a negative perspective; it was just narrow and lacked any real substance.  I had a textbook understanding.  

And then I had Augie.  

In the...

Yesterday, I saw an article in a local newspaper that used the words "Down Toddler" in the title.  The article itself was good, but I am very disappointed with the title!  Down Toddler?  Seriously?

Years ago I learned that [in English] you should reduce unnecessary prepositional phrases in writing.  Too many prepositional phrases can overcomplicate a sentence and obscure the main subject.  I'm not sure why I remember...

Did you know that October was Down Syndrome Awareness Month?

We spent the month spreading a little kindness in our community with our #Trisomy21ActsofKindness project.  Down syndrome is the trisomy (or triplication) of chromosome 21.  We completed 21 random acts of kindness to celebrate Augie and all people with Down Syndrome, to raise awareness, and foster acceptance and inclusion in our community!

Here is a recap an...

Do you ever have those moments that take your breath away, in a good way?  An intense, and almost overwhelming surge of emotion?  Perhaps a first kiss?  Or, seeing your newborn baby for the first time?  

I had one of these moments today.  It happened when I was looking at my 7 month old son, Augie.  It wasn't the first time I felt intense emotions while looking at his sweet face, and into his dark blue eyes.  But...