Saturday, October 30, 2010

31 for T21: A Down Syndrome Family Photo...and Elvis is in the HOUSE!

The 30th day of October is quickly coming to a close, in fact if I don't type my little heart out it will soon be midnight...leaving one day left for blogging for Down syndrome Awareness. My attempt at 31 posts over the course of the month came very short this time around but I attempted...and I had fun reading everyone's posts and meeting new friends along the way!

....In fact, "meeting friends along the way" is what I want to end my 31 for T21 attempt with. In the last 3 1/2 years I have met some really truly amazing families....families I would have never have met had Reid not shown me. Families near and far.... down the street, the next county over, across the US, and internationally. I love knowing these families, I love seeing their little almond eye shaped beauties and knowing immediately that we share an unspoken bond that comes from a very deep emotional place within us because of our children who share that extra chromosome. It is extremely encouraging to me.

However, as I am walking deeper into this journey I am realizing that it is not just encouraging to have each other to go to and to glean from but it is vital. Without going into detail in this post we had an issue arise a week ago where a parent had/has concerns about Reid being in the "typical" preschool class with her daughter. As we have been sorting through this big ugly bump I was able to call upon so many of those "friends I've met along the way" for support, advice, and resources. It was vital...especially those first few days where this became a very emotional issue for me. Those friends helped equip me with resources, and tools, and special needs laws to help me navigate this appropriately.

I call that friendship...but my friend Kele calls that family. She wrote about that here. She even went on to create a "Down syndrome family photo" shown below. Can you see little Reid in there? ...he is next to one of his best gal pals! I love that as I scan her picture I can name so many of these kiddos...had you told me that I 'd be able to do that on the day he was born I'd have told you you were bonkers.

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_v0FCTv81WyA/TBcXYZshbpI/AAAAAAAAG3U/tgRt8XXHrac/s1600/1.bmp

Your family photo might look a little bit different, maybe you've connected and clicked with different people...or maybe you haven't connected yet with others...and if that is the case I would really encourage you to reach out and to find a network of other families who also have a child with Down syndrome because I truly believe we are each other's best resources. There is a huge resource here on the internet of Down syndrome parent bloggers but I would also encourage you to find and connect with people in your immediate area because it is also good to connect in the flesh...and to begin to develop friendships for your child with other extra chromosomally kissed kiddos as well as their other friends.

...When things have calmed down and we know how things are going to play out with preschool I will blog about it because we are learning some really important lessons through it that I'd love to share. Until then....check out the king himself!


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Elvis.....................is in the HOUSE!!!!

a sneak peek into Reid's Halloween costume




This was Reid's big finale pose!
Photobucket

15 comments:

Looking Up said...

The King lives!!!!! OMG I love Reid's "Elvis" poses. Hysterical. :) As for the preschool situation, I'm not sure what the other parent is concerned about, but I'm hoping that you all can come to a positive resolution soon. Perhaps this will be a teachable moment, not just for the children, but for the parent in this case. My son is almost 23 months old, & I've already had to remind several people that just because he has Down Syndrome, doesn't mean that that my son doesn't have his own unigue strengths & abilities. I'm not asking for my son to receive "special" treatment. I'm just asking that my son be given the same opportunities to succeed as everyone other child. To the parent in your son's preschool: DS is not a disease that is going to harm your child. Ignorance, on the other hand, well.....that's another story....

Wren said...

By far the BEST Elvis I have ever seen!!!! Seriously though, just when I thought he couldn't get any cuter he did! I love it!

I'm sorry you're having to deal with preschool issues and I can't wait to hear how it all worked out! I'm sure it's bound to happen to all of us at some point, ignorance is everywhere and will effect us all at some point! :(

Heather said...

As I told you in my email ... this is the best picture EVER!!Sweet Reid.We just love him so.

So blessed to have this family.What a blessing it has been in my life.

Wishing we saw more of you and your beautiful family.Hoping we can work something into November.Got to make it happen.

Praying for a quick resolve with the preschool issues and finding it amazing that you even have to deal with this garbage.

Love to you all,especially big kisses to the The King!!

Junior said...

okay that costume is sooooo cute, Reid is the perfect Elvis, even has those poses down. Happy Halloween

Lisa said...

The cutest Elvis ever :)! Those pictures are awesome!

Unknown said...

He is so adorable! I'm new to your site, but I would love to keep in touch. I have a little girl who is 3 with DS. You are an amazing mom!

Unknown said...

He is so adorable!! I enjoyed reading your site. I would love to keep in touch. I have a little girl who is 3 with DS. You are a great mom!

Bronwyn Shields said...

OMG, he's a sweetie! I have been stalking your blog for a few months now and have learned a great deal from you and other parents. Thank you so much! I hope we get to meet someday soon.

Bronwyn
Ryder's mommy

Johnna said...

Wonderful blog! Great photos! So glad I came across this one through 31 for T21. My son is a teenager now and this is such a fun look back for me. You write beautifully!

Michelle said...

Love your little Elvis!

Unknown said...

Oh My goodness, Reid looks absolutely amazing! Mr Elvis...the best Elvis I have seen. That photo Kele made is great....brought tears to my eyes to see all our sweet angels in one place. Happy Halloween!!!

jenhiatt said...

Hilarious! Reid is so cute!!

Unknown said...

Found your blog on Ella's this morning. Reid is so precious. Love the Elvis reenactment. I desperately wish that my sweet Laynee Grace were still here so she could be in that famil portrait. Cherish that sweet boy of yours.

Nan P. said...

This blogging thingy has definitely helped me too... Calling it "family" feels so right!

As for the Elvis pictures...OMG! I think you have a future actor here!

Андрей said...

Elvis is very cool!!!