Lincoln's first Track Meet!!

I write today with a heart full of pride. 

As I sit back, and look at the two ribbons on Lincoln's red school shirt, I can't help but to smile.  Today was Lincoln's first track meet.  

 And although i'm not too sure he really knew what was going on...

 He did great - and gave it his all with a smile.

 He participated in ball throw, 

 and ran the "special needs" 50 M dash.

 His brother accompanied him.

 Hand in hand.

 Lincoln's smile was PRICELESS!!

 He started cheering for himself even before the race was over!!  They crossed the finish line with the other participants, and got a first place ribbon!!!  (they came in second)

The reaction from Lincoln's personal fans, and from those who were along the sidelines was totally amazing.  

Even though the race only took a total of 22 seconds,  it was 22 seconds of ear to ear grinning, lumpy throat smiling, and a memory that will last forever. 

Way to go Lincoln!!!!! (and Parker too of course!!!)

Inclusion ROCKS!!

Inclusion rocks, and I just love it.  In the past 6 years, I have witnessed it.  In two different area codes.  Countless hours apart....   This tells me that things are not the way they used to be, and I couldn't be happier about it.

When Lincoln received his academic award at his old school - i really started to realize that inclusion was "in".  When we re-located,  and had to leave the school where everyone knew Lincoln, I was sad.  I was sad because I didn't know if we would ever get to witness something so amazing again in his new school.  I was sad because we had to leave all of Lincolns new friends who accepted him for who he was behind.  The truth is, I was sad because i was scared.  Scared of what to expect, scared of the un known, and scared of not having the same inclusion that we had previously experienced.  But, with all things, good things take time.  Last week we got to see Lincoln receive another award at his new school.   Character Role Model Award.  He was recognized for his important help in developing character - for making an impact in his class, school and community to make them a better place.  This.is.just.awesome. !!

I'll be honest with you that the sadness I felt after re locating stuck around for quite some time.  We went a couple of months of dropping him off, and picking him up, without anyone really acknowledging  him (or so it seemed).  I know I should have never expected him to fit in at the drop of a dime, besides, all the kindergarten kids had already made their friends at the start of the year - Lincoln was the 'new kid'.  It was a change.  He used to have kids line up waiting for him to get dropped off, kids who would help him off the bus and make sure he made it down the steps without falling and carry his back pack, followed by "BYE LINCOLN"  That was heart warming, and made the day to day thoughts of 'what ifs' disappear from my mind.

As we have been in this town for 5 months now, people are starting to get to know him.  We go to the park and the kids know Lincoln, we go to the grocery store and kids say hi to Lincoln.  His teacher takes the time every day to write down his daily activities, and always says good morning with a smile.  Kids pass by him in the hall and say hi.  Kids yell out of their car windows to say bye.  Kids is where it starts.  I truly feel everyone gets to benefit from having Lincoln around.  He welcomes us to know that just because you may be a bit different, doesn't mean you're not capable of being included.

I know it might not be easy to understand, but when your child is 6, and is hard to understand, and needs extra help doing certain things his fellow peers can do independently, inclusion is kind of a big deal.  and I love it.  You're only as different as you make yourself.

Thank you to everyone who is part of Lincolns life - for including him for the true joy is brings to life.

Keep on shining Lincoln.  You light up my world more than words can ever say.

What Living With Down Syndrome Has Taught Me - WDSD 2015

Its almost World Down Syndrome Day!!   March 21 marks World Down Syndrome Day (WDSD) every year  (because March is the 3rd month, and on the 21st day - 321 - 3 copies of the 21st chromosome).  Everyone around the world takes this day to celebrate the individuals who live with Down syndrome.   So we will be celebrating.  Celebrating all that Lincoln has taught us.  Celebrating differences, celebrating abilities, and just celebrating everything that he is and has to offer.  

Lincoln has taught me oh SO much during his short little life so far.  Most of all, patience.  I used to get "rushy" or "pushy" when it would take him forever to do something I know he can do, but I've come to terms - that thats what is actually slowing him down.  Don't rush him.  Just don't.  Simply because... you can't.  He has always stood on that top step, gathering his balance, singing a song - or contemplating something in his head before he takes that first step down.  Not only that, but he takes his time coming out of school, takes his time going to the bathroom, takes his time getting in the car and walking from point A to point B... just to name a few.   I have patience.  And a great deal of them.  I have invested hours and hours of time just waiting.  But that's ok.  The amount of time Lincoln has invested in and walking and talking and everything else he tries extra hard going, gives me even more reason to have these patience.  Besides, now we literally get to live in, and enjoy every single moment.

Lincoln has taught me what family really means - unconditional love.  If you would have asked me 6 years ago, if this was the family I had envisioned,  I would have said no.  It may not be the life I dreamed of, but its way more beautiful than the life I had in my dreams.  The joys we endure, and the things we accomplish as a family far out weigh the pain we have ever had to go through.  We have a real kind of love, and its deep.

Lincoln has taught me acceptance...and with acceptance, it leads to awareness.  When we accept one another as equal, our perspectives become real.  We can learn from one another.  We can listen to one another and respect each other.  We can allow ourselves to be aware of others experiences - instead of judging by what we see.
Its taught me not to stare at the child having a tantrum in the grocery store.  Not to stare at the person in the wheel chair.  And not to stare at someone who may look a little different to you.  We all deserve acceptance.   Learn to love everyone or at least tolerate it.  Everyone deserves a chance to be happy.

Lincoln has taught me to never give up.   He is such an inspiration to be the best and bring the best to everything.  He has worked so hard to get to where he is today.  His determination to do things he wants to do has not only inspired me, but many other people around him who have been with us on our journey.  His life has impacted so many other lives in his young 6 years.  He inspires others to do good.  He shows the world how full of light and love he is.  He brings happiness to not only to us, but to those he is around.   He has honestly pushed us to be better people.  To see that the grass isn't greener on the other side.  Its all in what you give.

So, Lincoln... I want to thank you.  Thank you for teaching me patience, acceptance, unconditional love, and to be the best me I can be.  Thank you for teaching me the things it sometimes takes people an eternity to learn.

So, on March 21, I am inviting you to help celebrate with us.  Wear your funky socks, share an article about Down syndrome, read something about it.  Tell someone how Lincoln has impacted your life - or someone else you know who happens to have Down syndrome.  Acceptance starts with us.   And celebrating is a great start.

HAPPY WORLD DOWN SYNDROME DAY!!

Sharing the Joys

Having Down syndrome in our life is nothing short of an adventure.  But, then again, being a parent is nothing short of an adventure.  There is no written 'right' and 'wrong' guide that comes along with it.   Theres the constant wondering if you're doing things right, or if you are raising them properly, or maybe they're not doing things they should already doing.  I often wonder if I am doing the right thing.  If I'm a good mom.  If my kids will have awesome memories of me when they get older.  Sure, people tell me I'm inspirational, and that Lincoln was a gift from God (which he undoubtedly is... but so is every child) and some may think they could never do what I do,  but I don't consider myself a supermom - simply because I am not.  I'm just a mom doing the best I can.   When I think of the numerous doctor visits and struggles we hit along the way, I wonder if I did the best I could, I still wonder if maybe Lincoln could have been diagnosed sooner than he did, and if he would have thrived more as an infant had he've been.  But I know God had a plan, and this was part of it.  Everything that happened, seemed to have worked the way they did.  We never really struggled and even though there were tough days, and weeks... everything still turns out.

Having two boys, one who happens to have Down syndrome has opened my eyes to a beauty I hope you can understand.  Truth is, I don't look at my life as being 'different'.  I don't know it any other way.  I have been blessed to be on this journey, and an opportunity to share the positives that come along with living with Down syndrome.  Lincoln will be 6 years old next month.  How he has gotten so big so fast is beyond me, but I assure you, I haven't lost count.  He has taught me so much in his 6 years, much more than anyone could have ever taught me.  In the beginning, this whole thing was brand new, and yes, sort of scary.  But I want you to know how his love for life, compassion for living, and his interest in learning goes so much further than all of that. 

I dream of a world that includes, and embraces every individual for who they are.  Both of my boys are everything I could have ever hoped for in children.  Lincoln is so much stronger than I could ever be.  He has a kind heart, and a happy loving life attitude.  I know a Down syndrome diagnosis may be arise a bunch of questions and cause confusion to a pregnant mom, and be scary for a new mom who's "perfect child" dream takes a turn, but Down syndrome is much more than the stereotypes.  If only we could get rid of the stereotypes that are out there, and replace them with all of the things that Lincoln is beyond them so that we can enjoy the positives they have to offer.  

Today is Spread the Word to End the Word day.  I don't mean to say the R-word (retard/retarded) is about pin pointing individuals, and I'm not going to try and control the things that you say, but its an opportunity to educate and spread awareness so you can learn that its just not ok, and the word hurts  So please, think before you speak.

Take the pledge at to end the R-word at www.r-word.org  -  Lincoln thanks you. 

New Year, New Things.

Happy New Year!!

Just a little bit has changed since my last blog (...I'm kidding...)  I started a post shortly before the big move, but alas, never finished it.   As I thought about the 5 hour move, and all of the changes that come along with it - I was reminded on how special this journey is.  We have met a bunch of amazing people along the way, but along with that came a bunch of bitter sweet goodbyes.  When we moved a little over a year and a half ago, we left a good handful of helping hands, and to be honest, I wasn't sure how we would adapt to a whole new set of wonderful people.  Truth is, We are lucky.  Lincoln is an easy going, well adjustable, fun loving kid, and anyone who meets him would agree.  He adjusts well, isn't too shy, and basically 'fits in' where ever he goes.  We are lucky in the fact that he had an amazing first experience in school.  He was welcomed into a school where inclusion was their theme.  A school that treated everyone the same, and who recognized individuals on a monthly basis for their extra umph, extra caring nature, and extra effort made to share love and show respect to all individuals. Obviously, on his last day, his class was sad.  Lincoln was the 'class clown', or the 'popular' kid not only in his class, but his school.  It amazes me just how many people knew who Lincoln was.  Almost every trick or treater we had said hi to him, it seemed everybody in the halls knew him, and apparently, everybody waved to him during their christmas concert for the school!!   Just knowing how welcomed he was, and how inclusive his experience was at the old school - has only made my expectations on what to hope and strive for in the new school, and I will do whatever I can to make it just as amazing as the last.  With that being said,  I wasn't exactly excited for the move and yet another change.  But, we put our trust in God, and follow the path he has already set for us.  Sometimes its interesting the way life goes.

We are back to the same place we called home for the first 6 years of our marriage, the place where both of our boys were born, the place that we had for sale, but never sold.  And while everything sort of makes sense now, we know why we were brought to the same town with my awesome sister and family, the awesome school and all of the awesome friends we made along the way.  As we said our goodbyes, We can confidently say Lincoln left some sort of an impression on people there.  Whether it was through those he met along the way,  the hearts he touched, or the people he helped.   We enjoyed advocating, and sharing the joys he brings... I love that even though he is only 5, he.changes.people.  He changed teachers, students, and parents all the same.
As we look to the future, and Lincoln's shining spirit, we already know everything is going to be alright.  He has such a loveable spark about him.  Its nice to know he will be walking around with familiar faces around him.  He will get to share recess with some of his older cousins (whom the boys can't get enough of).  He will be in a regular classroom with an EA present within the class already.  I'm sure the transition will go smoothly, and so far, things have.  We have all of our stuff, most of it out of boxes (ok, well, over half at least....)  The boys love their room, and being back at the 'old house' - though Parker says he doesn't remember it at all.  Lincoln's first day will be on Tuesday, and we can only pray everyone will accept him, though i have no doubt.

In Medical news, Lincoln's tubes are out of his ears (which is great news because we are going to the Great Wolf Lodge tomorrow - yay no ear plugs!!), and his ears were still clear while he was fighting a cold!  (thats great news), and he scored 100% on his hearing test!   We also have Lincoln's old cardiologist looking at the results from his last ECHO as it is not common for there to be a residual leak this far after surgery - which was present in in ECHO he has preformed at the end of November.  He is being referred back to his old paediatrician and we have our old family Dr.  Its comforting to be with those who are already familiar with him and know his history.

Theres Lincoln in the 2015 Canadian Down Syndrome Society's Calander!!

We are no doubt excited about this New Year, and new school.  Keep shining Lincoln.  You are doing such amazing things.

Wishing you all the best for 2015!  Thanks for reading :)