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.