Better Off Hidden Away?

 I woke up this morning at 6:00 AM because that's when my alarm goes off every weekday morning. The "problem" is, today is the beginning of Spring Break so I should have been able to sleep in. It's ok though, cause I got a shower all to myself, no little girl crowding in on me. I also got to do a little yoga and now I'm sitting here blogging, drinking my coffee, while the house is quiet except for Liza trying to decide if she wants to wake up all the way now, or later.

I also woke up thinking. A lot about the Ethan Saylor case. Mostly I just keep thinking about how it seems no one cares except for those of us with close ties of some kind to the Down syndrome or disability community. That makes me sad, but it also really makes me angry. A perfect example I can think of is a woman I had a little discussion with on racism, she thought it was racist that Trayvon Martin's shooting got so much publicity but the shooting of little Antonio Santiago didn't (according to her). I told her that what she was actually doing and saying was racist and then told her if she really wanted to get angry about an injustice she could add her voice to those of us who were signing a petition asking for an independent investigation into Robert Ethan Saylor's death. Not once, but twice, I suggested this to her. Up until that point, she was arguing back with me but once I gave her a real outlet for her righteous indignation all I got was crickets. Of course.

And, it seems like, if it's not coming from our own side, that's all we're going to get. Oh, and we're not getting a great response from some on our own side either (you may notice there was no mention of them discussing or requesting an investigation). It's really pissing me off!

Why can't people get mad about a young man being killed over a $12 movie ticket?! Doesn't it sound so simple? If that's all you heard about the whole story wouldn't it make you angry? So why is it when we say, a young man with Down syndrome was killed over a $12 movie ticket, do people just keep on scrolling and not giving it a second thought? That's discrimination, isn't it?

Now, it's 11:30 at night and I'm just tired. Angry and tired and a little worried about the World my daughter is growing up in as an individual who happens to have Down syndrome. Sometimes I think about the Ukrainian Judge who worried that, maybe, Liza was better off living hidden away in orphanages and institutions. Places where the outside World couldn't belittle her and mistreat her just because she's a little different. I'm NOT saying I agree with this judge, I'm just saying that I can see how easy it is to get to that way of thinking when you know stories like Ethan Saylor's and Antonio Martinez's (Martinez was pepper sprayed and beaten by police). But, it's not the ones who are different who need to be hidden away for their own good. It's the ones who would refuse to accept and include them who need to change. For their own good? Well, yes, and everyone else's too.

If you want to help get justice for Ethan Saylor please sign the petition asking for an independent investigation. Down syndrome did not kill Ethan, the ignorance of three off-duty police officers did. Then call the Department of Justice at 202-307-5138. The DOJ wants to "gauge the public reaction before taking the next steps", so just let them know your reaction to a man being killed because a few cops couldn't have a little patience and common sense. Then feel free to post about both of these ways to help on your blog, Facebook, whatever. Just don't keep scrolling and forget about it because "it doesn't effect you". It effects all of us. This is a HUMAN rights issue.

If you want to know more I'd suggest reading these blogs: Down Syndrome Uprising, With a Little Moxie, Green Tea Ginger, and Words Hurt or Heal. There are many more really great blogs and activists out there and you can find quite a few of them at the Down Syndrome Uprising Facebook page

Can You See My Child?

I watched this video this morning and just enjoyed watching two young people with Down syndrome do ordinary things. Then it got to almost the end of the video and the young lady said, "Even though I have Down syndrome, I still think of myself as a real person." and my heart broke and tears came.

I'm glad that she sees herself that way. It made my morning to see that she (and the young man in the video) seems to have a lot of confidence in herself and her capabilities, but she shouldn't have to even clarify that she thinks of herself as a "real person". She IS a real person, first and foremost, Down syndrome comes after that fact and is just a part of what makes her the person that she is.

Yesterday on Facebook I saw a post from an acquaintance on an encounter she'd had with a young man with Down syndrome and how it had changed her perspective. She went from pitying those with "that disability" to admiring them because this young man "prophesied" over her son and was "filled with wonder and excitement". Her post and the comments of others pointed out to me how people with Down syndrome are either seen as "less" human or "special" human. I did comment to the effect of how I hope my daughter will be seen as simply HUMAN and I was going to let it go at that. But, now that I've watched this video and gotten stirred up I just can't let it go.

*I do want to say that I don't hold anything against the young woman who posted the Facebook post or anyone who commented. I feel like sometimes people think I am just a mad Mama out to get anyone who doesn't agree with me. That's not it. I'm just a Mom on a journey. I'm learning as I go and I'm hoping that the rest of the World will want to learn along with me.*

Now, with all that said,  here's where I've been going with all my "stirring up". I'm not eloquent and my tendency towards ADD doesn't allow me to expound on all my little thoughts and ponderings like I'd want to. So, I'm gonna lay it out in bullet points and hope that others will come along and help me answer the questions or even raise more. That's how we learn best, right?

• What if the young man my facebook friend met hadn't been a Christian? If he'd just said "what a cute baby" and then talked about other things? Would she still have had her perspective on people with Down syndrome changed?
• My guess is no, and that makes me ask- "Why does he have to have that in common with you in order for you to see him differently that you would have?" (maybe just human nature...?)
• Why can't people see that having the attitude that those with disabilities are "less" or "super" human is what leads to them being marginalized in education, health care, employment, etc?
• I shouldn't have to fight against these attitudes to get Liza included in Kindergarten! Dammit!
• I shouldn't have to tell folks who work at a hospital for kids with special needs that using the word "re*ard" is not something they should do! Dammit!
•  What is society doing to people with Down syndrome (and other disabilities) when the messages that they get are that they are either a "special" person or a "lesser" person?
• What is it going to take for us as advocates to change the way society sees our kids? To get them to see them as people?

I'm not by any means an expert on inclusivity (is that a word? maybe it should be.) or accepting everyone who is different from you. I catch myself at times being judgmental due to some stereotype, and I hate myself every time I realize I've done it. Or being "too nice" to correct folks when they say something about Liza like, "Oh, it's ok that she hit me. I think it's just her way of saying she loves me." . 

I just want to grow and learn. Is it too much to ask that the rest of the World grow and learn with me? If you're stirred up too or you just want to learn how to really change your perspective on people with Down syndrome or other disabilities please check out Down Syndrome Uprising.

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3/21: Big Hugs & BedHead

I love this picture of Liza. Her and her bedhead. This is pretty much what it looks like every morning when she gets up. It's the one consistent thing about her mornings, cause I never know if she's gonna hop right up out of bed with a smile, bat me away and pull the covers back over herself, or just stay sleeping no matter how much I poke/prod/cajole.

This morning was one of those "happy" mornings. She woke up with a smile and then wrapped her arms around me and laid her head on my shoulder. Then, after taking care of "morning business", she needed to be held some more and she patted my back as I patted hers. I really love those mornings.

Today on World Down Syndrome Day, 3/21 for the 3rd copy of the 21st chromosome, I feel like I should be posting about Down syndrome in some way or another, but all I can think about this morning is how this little girl, who greeted me with a sleepy smile and a big hug, just two years ago was a terrified, half-neglected orphan. Two years ago I was pretty sure she did not like me and I was scared that maybe she never would. I won her over, thank God!

I think for WDSD I hope that advocating for acceptance of people with Down syndrome as simply PEOPLE will mean that less children will be abandoned to orphanages or foster care because they are born with Down syndrome. That parents whose children are diagnosed in the womb will not have fear and false information thrown at them.

That's it, my hope for today. 

Liza Meets Carissa

The other day Liza and I were grocery shopping in a nearby town (that has more than one grocery store) and we ran into Carissa. I was so happy to see her again. She's always got to know how I've been and how big The Boys (aka The Brothers) are now. It's just nice to run into someone who is genuinely interested in you and your family no matter how long it's been or where life may have taken you since you last saw each other.

This time I was excited to introduce Liza to Carissa. I know that they aren't going to be soul friends just because they both have an extra chromosome, but I am a silly, sappy woman and I feel like Carissa is part of the reason that I knew Down syndrome wasn't something to be scared of, and that adopting a child with Down syndrome could be a beautiful option. So, I wanted to introduce them to each other. Here's what happened:

Me: Carissa, have you met my daughter? Liza?

Carissa: yes (I didn't remember that they'd already met but if Carissa says they have. They have. I know for a fact her memory is better than mine! Must've been last time I saw her at WM.)

Me to Liza: Liza, say hello to Miss Carissa.

Liza: *throws a small container of fruit out of the buggy at Carissa's feet*

Me: Liza, stop that!

Carissa: She's being bad, huh?

And, that's what happened when Liza and Carissa met. No stars falling from the sky. No instantaneous connection.

There have been times when Liza has met someone who also has Down syndrome and seemed to immediately connect with them. Maybe I was expecting that? Or maybe those other times it was the other person who recognized that Liza was "like them" and for Liza it was just another person who she got close enough to to hug before I could stop her. My rose colored glasses do tend to help me see things the way I want them to be.

I'm kind of glad that her's and Carissa's interaction was just that of a naughty little girl meeting her mom's old school friend. That's perfectly all right with me.

I just hope next time they meet Liza can refrain from throwing things.

Reece's Rainbow Advocating

Ever read the book, "A Mother for Choco"? If not, you should really check it out. It's great for even just teaching compassion to little children. Not to mention adoption and seeing everyone as more alike than different. I love that book and read it to my boys over and over when they were small. I challenge you to look at the pictures of these kids and imagine them asking, "Are you my mother?" Come on, what have you got to lose really?

   This is Vera. Her sad face jumped out at me today on Reece's Rainbow and I couldn't stand it, I just had to get her face out so someone will see it and maybe her family will find her. Her description on Reece's Rainbow includes a caption that says, "Please come for me soon, Daddy." It really looks like that's what she's hoping for. However, she is in a country that single women can adopt from so if she catches your heart and you're a single mommy I'm sure she would love to have you! Vera's Mommy or Daddy? Are you out there? For more info please contact Andrea Roberts or visit Reece's Rainbow.

This is Claire! My friend from Christmas, remember her? She just turned two years old back in January and she has a $500 grant now. She's at a really great age to benefit from a loving family and all the early intervention that she needs. I just know she could thrive if she was adopted. She's in the same country and region as Vera. So, single moms are accepted. Are you her family? For more info please contact Andrea Roberts or visit Reece's Rainbow.




                                                                             
This cute little baldy is Anna B and if you look very close it looks like she's wearing earrings. She is absolutely beautiful, isn't she? I can just imagine how stunning she would be when her hair was allowed to grow out. She needs a mommy and daddy to help her reach her full potential. Do you know them? Same country and region as the girls above. For more info please contact Andrea Roberts or visit Reece's Rainbow.





This is Elena. I just love her DARK hair and eyes with her light complexion. And those cheeks!Isn't she gorgeous? She also is in need of someone to love her and provide her with the early intervention services that would help her to thrive and reach her fullest potential. She's in the same region and country as the other girls and all information and requirements can be found here. For more info please contact Andrea Roberts or visit Reece's Rainbow.





There are so many other kids listed with Reece's Rainbow, please give them a look. I could have posted one hundred pictures here and still had others that I would love see find a family. All of them just waiting for someone to fall in love with them. It really could be you and your family. So, what are you waiting for? What's holding you back?

Liza's Birthday

Today is Liza's 4th Birthday and our official meeting day with our Social Worker! On one hand I am excited that we are actually making some progress and hoping to have her here soon (February or March... maybe?), and on the other I am sad that she is "celebrating" her birthday once again in an orphanage. What that means is that  she's probably not celebrating at all. Today will  be just another day for her, just like yesterday and the day before and..... you get my point. I was really hoping that she would be here now and that we could show her how it feels to be celebrated on the day of your birth. What it's like to be loved and cherished like all children should be.

To honor her birthday I'd like to ask if you feel led to please make a donation to our Family Sponsorship Page on Reece's Rainbow. This will make it tax-deductible and really help us when it is time to actually make the trip over there. We have paid pretty much everything that is required for fees here, but are still in need of some of what we will need to pay when it is time to travel. We took a loan out on Rick's 401K and then our van and our stove had to be replaced, so that cut into some of what we planned to use. Every little bit helps, even $5 or $10. Just click the button included in this post or the one on the sidebar to help. Thank you!


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Update on Tonya & Claire

To Give Tonya Hope
CLICK HERE

Since I posted about Tonya the other day we found out tht there IS a family that wants to adopt her but is worried about the financial aspect of adopting internationally. In other words the only thing stopping them is money. So, Lu, a friend in London has created this button to help spread the news about Tonya's need. If you are willing to help please grab the code for the button and paste it wherever it might be seen.  There is a family at her orphanage now adopting a friend of Tonya's and they say that she really wants a Mommy and Daddy. Let's see Tonya's Hope of a family become reality!
As for Miss Claire: She now has $400 in her grant fund! Yay! So, if you donated after reading my last post: Thank You! I am hoping that she will reach at least $1000 by the end of the Angel Tree and that she will have a family committed to adopting her. If you are interested in any of the children featured on Reece's Rainbow you can contact Andrea Roberts, her info can be found here.

Tonya and Claire

Look at Tonya all decked out in her pink winter outfit! Pink certainly seems to be her color. She is still waiting for a family and her profile can be found on the Reece's Rainbow site here under ophanage 24. She is also on the Angel Tree under "Help me get to $2500". Her total grants together are over $4000. This will really help to defray some of the costs of her adoption. Are you her family? Do you know someone who might be? She's been waiting a long time and is at the age she can be transferred to the institution.  I really don't want to see that happen to her.

Sweet little Claire! This is my Christmas Angel Baby, who I have not done a great job of advocating for. You can find Claire on the Angel Tree under "help me get to $500". Every DOLLAR donated to her fund helps bring her closer to having a family. But, for $35 you get an ornament with her picture on it to hang on your tree. How great would it be to pull out her ornament next year and know she is celebrating Christmas with her family and you had a part in that! There are truly families who would love to step up and commit to these children but can't because of the cost. So, the grant funds that Reece's Rainbow raises for them really are saving lives every day.

In just the 30+ days that the Angel Tree has been up this year 28 kids have had families step forward to adopt them. I am blown away by this and looking forward to who's moved to the "My Family Found Me" area next. Maybe it will be Tonya? Oh, I hope so! Or Claire? That would be great! OR maybe BOTH of them? That would be SPECTACULAR! :)

Wondering What's Up?

Anybody been wondering what's going on with us? I've actually just been laying low while we were waiting for Dr. Psychologist to submit his reports, and oh ok, I'll admit it a few times having a pity party.

But, we are on the move again. Homestudy Agency got the reports and within 20 minutes of getting them sent me a message saying we were good to go. Does anyone else think it's ridiculous that three months of waiting was wrapped up by a fax and a 15 minute "meeting" to interpret the fax? I just had to laugh, but was really glad they didn't make us wait to get the go-ahead.

So, after all that fuss, and Dr. Psychologist disappearing from the radar for a while, we are back on track and hoping to meet with our actual SW on December 18. After that we can submit the HS to USCIS to get our I171-H, then we get our entire dossier apostilled, send it to Liza's country, and wait for a travel date that will hopefully come in early March. Then the excitement really starts!

Reece's Rainbow Christmas Video

Make photo slide shows at www.OneTrueMedia.com

If you're touched by one of these beauties please contact Andrea with Reece's Rainbow to learn more about adoption. The adoption grants raised through RR really go along way to help each child find a family, but if you're still nervous I would urge you to check out Lydia's story. If they can do it what's stopping the rest of us? It can be done, and with all the roadblocks we've faced I can still say that. More news on that to come ;o)

Things I Ponder: 7-24-09

Tonight I am pondering how in the world I am going to go into Liza's orphanage, see the faces of the other waiting children with DS, and take her but leave them. This is seriously weighing heavy on my heart right now. It's all I've been able to think about for a good portion of this day. So, I am praying that God will send families to see their beautiful faces and KNOW that they are meant to be the families of these children.

One of the little boys has stolen my heart nearly as much as Liza has. I pray for clear direction for myself and Rick that we would know without a doubt if we are to bring him home as well. But, then I think of the other three little boys and the little girl. Why are they not just as deserving of my desire to be their mom? I try not to do that to myself, cause it's just a guilt trip that leads to condemnation and I sure don't need that on top of everything else.

So, without further ado. Here they are, and here's hoping and PRAYING that their mom or dad will show up right on time.

This is Yulia. Isn't she precious?

This Andrey P. He's the little stinker that has stolen my heart. Let him steal yours. I'm ok with that :)This Andrey S. Only 2 years old. He needs a mommy!

Mr. Ilya. He looks so full of Joy!

Last, but certainly not least: Maxim. He is already in an institution. He deserves SO much more! Don't you see that spunk hidden in those eyes?

Running - part 2

Do you remember that I mentioned I was running? Tomorrow is the big day. Or as Austin stated, "Tomorrow is the Day I run a 5K!"

As we all know though, things never come as easy as they first seem. I woke up this morning with my knee bothering me. I've been advised to ice it, take Ibuprofen, and stay off the knee. I'm hoping it will be all better tomorrow and I'll be able to run with no problems. If you think about me please pray. I'm also hoping to be able to wear a pin that I ordered from Shelley representing Ukraine and Down Syndrome. I think this will be a great opportunity especially since tomorrow is World Down Syndrome day. I didn't know that when I signed up to run on this day but now that I do know I hope I have an opportunity to share. Maybe the pin will give me that opportunity.

One More Day For Ornaments

Yes, I shamelessly stole the below post from Shelley but I got the idea from Meredith. Please go and sponsor one of these angels. Help them get adopted. I'll even tell you which one I am praying for Jesus to make a part of our family. Her name is Liza and she is a beautiful platinum blonde with the most captivating bluish-greenish eyes. There are a couple others who have a soft spot in my heart but she is the one I keep going back to the most. Before it was Victoria but her family has found her and I am so happy for all of them. She is going to be so blessed to join her new family as I know they are going to be blessed by her.

And here's another good reason to sponsor one or two or a few: My birthday is in 12 days. In lieu of a present you can just sponsor an angel and we'll call it even :) Seriously though, these kids need families and receiving this sponsor money makes that more a reality for so many of them. If you can't, pass this info on to someone who maybe can.

The Reece's Rainbow Angel Tree project is in full swing. But there's only one more day left to donate and receive an ornament of the waiting angel for your tree! If you'd like to receive a 2008 RR Angel Tree ornament with the photo of a waiting child, go to this link and choose a child to sponsor. A donation of $35 or more and you will receive a beautiful ornament for your tree. I assure you, the ornaments are beautiful(I've spent a lot of quality time with 300 of them, so I should know!). But, more important than the ornament, 100% of the money you donate will go to help the child you choose to find a forever family.
The Angel Tree fundraiser has already raised over $20,000 in grant money for children with Down syndrome all over the world and there's still 15 days left (400 ornaments will have been mailed by tomorrow with a projected 100 more going out next week!). If you want an ornament, you have to donate by midnight on the 15th (tomorrow!).
Also, make sure you scroll to the bottom of the page and look at how many children have already found their forever families since the Angel Tree began on November 1st.
So, what are you waiting on? Click the tree....and give the gift of a forever family this Christmas season!

You know you want to go check out Liza! Click the tree below, please....(with puppy eyes face)

Updated to add the button. Thanks toMeredith for the code.

Grab This Button

Found a Giveaway.....

And it's for an adoption fundraiser!

The Jones', http://joneseeadoption.blogspot.com/, are adopting a little boy with Down Syndrome from Eastern Europe. They are giving away a $100 Toys R Us giftcard and a $200 Visa giftcard. For a $5 donation you get entered into both drawings. You can't beat that and I figured if I shared with everyone who pops in here I get to help them out and possibly you too. You'll be thanking me if you win, or at least I hope you will.

And the Dickinson's, http://www.thenewdickinsonfamily.com/, are giving away a Wii. Same concept. You donate $5 and your name goes into the drawing to help them bring home their little boy.

*For those of you reading me on google reader, I apologize if this posted three times due to me screwing up this post......THREE times! lol

Fallen For An Angel

A Reece's Rainbow Christmas Angel, that is. There are so many of them that just tug at my heart strings and I wish I was a millionaire who could just adopt 10, 20, or more if that's what I wanted to do. Someday, I'm going to work in an orphanage or in some type of orphan ministry.

Have I mentioned before that I really feel that we are supposed to adopt a child with Down Syndrome? Ah yes, I have: See number 8 here? I thought there were other times but I guess I've been hesitant to put it out there . You know, that fear: "what if I'm wrong?" Especially after our experience getting our hopes up for LB. And on top of that because of how it ended up we don't even have an adoption homestudy and never got any of the money back that we paid for it. I still struggle with anger over that one. So, yeah, I guess that's why I'm hesitant to share any more what's on my heart in terms of our adoption hopes.

Now, with all that said......I think I have lost my mind. I have fallen for one of Reece's Rainbow's Christmas Angels. Her name is Victoria and she looks like she loves to talk on the telephone. I had a dream one night of two children, a little girl between 1 and 3 and an infant that I think was a boy. I was walking across a bridge and carrying both of them. Then Rick came alongside me and took the little girl from my arms to lighten my load. As he walked a little ahead of me she looked over his shoulder and smiled at me as a little girl would smile at her mommy. This little girl had Down syndrome and an Eastern European name. I've been asking myself if I dreamed of my child or did I just dream this because I have been reading the blog of a family who adopted a little girl recently from an Eastern European country with the same name as the one in my dream. I only know that I woke up with a peace in my heart and really felt that God had shown me my child. But, that fear is still there: "what if I'm wrong?"

My prayers the past few days have been that God will make His will clear and, if this is really something He wants, He will show Rick without a doubt that He is in it and we can do it. You see, my husband is afraid of the financial aspect of it. That is the only thing that holds him back. I honestly believe if someone said they would cover the entire cost of the adoption Rick would not have anything holding him back. And that makes me so sad. I hate it that the only thing keeping children from being placed in loving homes is money. I hate it that the people who have the love and desire to adopt these kids so often don't have the money to do it so they never try.

All I can do is continue to pray, right? Then, I guess that's what I'll do.

I'm Not Sc-Sc-Sc-Sc-Scared.....

I got tagged again by the lovely Brandi. I have to post 15 things that I'm not afraid to admit. But, honestly as I've been sitting here thinking alot of them are things I am scared to admit. You know how we all think that everybody's got it goin' on so much better than us and we don't want anyone to see those things we don't want to admit cause the whole world will know we ain't got it goin' on like them?(whew, can we say "run on sentence"?) Anyway, I probably have to make that my number one thing I'm not afraid to admit, maybe then I can begin to "get over it", just like I tell my kids frequently.

So, here goes nothin':

1. See the extra humongo run on sentence above, I struggle with that but I'm not afraid to admit...I'm working on it :)



2. I was probably a borderline nerd in school. I'm pretty sure everyone liked me ok, but I wasn't really cool. Still not, but I don't care as much.



3. I think adoption is amazing and is a visual representation here on Earth of what God the Father has done for us. I get really upset by those who do not agree and say mean and hateful things about those who have adopted or plan to adopt.



4. I may be afraid to admit but will do it anyway....sometimes I just feel down in the dumps, lonely and have to give myself a good talking to to snap out of it. See this post.


5. My kids seriously crack me up sometimes. They are so hilarious but in totally different ways. And just to toot my own horn, sometimes I crack myself up :) I'm probably too easily entertained.
6. I am an internet addict. I have way too many blogs saved in my google reader and keep adding more. Is there a 12 step program for this?
7. Oh yeah, I've become a FaceBook addict too. What is it with entering the 30's and reconnecting with folks from high school? I know it's not just me cause they're all there too!
8. I hope to adopt a child with Down Syndrome someday. Actually feel pretty sure that someday will be a reality.
9. I actually hope that once we adopt once I can convince Rickydoodle we should do it a few more times!
10. I am very pro-life and do not feel any less a strong woman for that stand. Maybe I even feel stronger.
11. I hate rejection and am not even sure where it stems from. My stint in foster care as a kid? Something before/after that? I'm sure that's why even a job rejection ( see #4) bugs me. I know it's not personal but it still messes me up a little bit. Guess I need to take that to my Abba.
12. I am scared to death of camel crickets and hate them with a passion. See #5 of this post and the picture. You would be scared of them too!
13. Jem was one of my favorite cartoons, along with She-Ra. I LOVED them! And probably watched them when I was "too old".
14. I hate the movie Titanic. Never want to see it again! I know that really happened to real people and I just can't handle it.
15. I'm turning 32 this year and I'm ok with it so far. I'm calling it my Sweet Sixteen X's 2. I even told Ricky he had to throw me a party, but I think he dropped the ball on that one. Either that or he's a really good faker!

All right I'm done! I'm not going to tag anybody this time cause I don't know who to tag and it's late. I should be in bed. If you want to play, please do and leave me comment so I can read yours.

Dale Tucker

Dale Tucker was a friend of my Godfamily. They all went to church together and he loved my Godsisters, especially Kelly and Cheryl. I remember the first Sunday that I met Dale, I was going to church with them for the first time and I guess Cheryl and I were both around 11 or 12. She told me on the way there that he would come over to us, probably give her a hug, and would want to know who I was. She told me that he was different and that he was actually alot older than us but not to be afraid of him he was really a sweet guy. I didn't have any clue what she was talking about and had to wonder about this guy. It turned out that Dale was a friendly guy, who loved his church family and the Lord, and who also happened to have been born with Down Syndrome.

I don't remember much about him, but I do remember that I liked him. It was kind of hard not to. You just can't not like someone who knows instinctively how to make you feel welcome. He was a part of the youth group at in his early 30's and of course I knew then it was because he was more on our level, but I didn't realize how great that was for a Southern Baptist church in Georgia in the late 80's early 90's. In fact, I guess it's pretty impressive that his parents raised him at home at all. In the day and age he was born it was still common for babies like him to be sent away. How sad! We may have never gotten the chance to know Dale? He broadened our horizons, helped us to be more accepting of people who were different than us. I know he took away misconceptions that we may have developed if we had never had the chance to know him.

I, for one, am thankful that I was blessed to know Dale Tucker.

High School Can Be.....

...a lot of things. For some it was tough, for others it was some of the best years of their lives. I was really amazed tonight to find a story about a bunch of high school seniors that brought tears to my eyes and made my heart sing.

You have to read their story. I can't help but think of what a different perspective these kids have when it comes to people's differences or challenges. Actually, I think that is the difference, they didn't see her "differences". They saw past them to the unique friend that she' been to them all.

Carissa

Carissa is a woman my age that I went to high school in Virginia with. She's one of the only people from that high school that I actually don't mind running into. Don't know if I mentioned it before, but the high school I moved to in 11th grade was awful, I hated it and felt most of the kids there were hateful. But, that's another post for another time. Today is Carissa's day.

If I'm being honest, I have to say I don't really remember Carissa much from school. But, she remembered me. I remember her from W*l-m*rt. I was working there about 3 years after high school and one evening Carissa came in with her mom to shop. She made her way over to me and reminded me that we went to school together. Then she asked me tons of questions about myself. When she found out that I had two children she wanted to know all about them as well. I had a great time that evening chatting with Carissa while I was working. I had forgotten how sweet and genuinely caring she was. She didn't ask me all those questions because she was nosy and she wanted to run off and gossip about me to all her girlfriends, she asked because she really cared. She hung out with me because she enjoyed my company, and I enjoyed hers. It got to where I hoped that Carissa and her mom would come to the store on evenings that I worked. I loved listening to her talk and her laugh makes me smile now just to think about it.

I haven't seen Carissa in a while now. I stopped working at W*l-M*rt years ago, and since we moved we rarely even go to that town anymore. I know, however, that if I were to run into Carissa tomorrow she would call me by my name and she would say hello to my boys as if she's watched them grow up through these years. She may just be one of the best friends I've ever been blessed to have in my life.

Oh, did I forget to mention? Carissa was born with Down Syndrome.

Procrastination

Why is it as soon as you commit to doing something that something becomes the LAST thing you think about doing? Or is that just me? I'm determined to stick it out in this 31 for 21 challenge and I'm going to. I am going to share my story, a few actually, about some folks with Down Syndrome who have touched my life. But, not tonight. Maybe tomorrow, but I'm not gonna commit to that :)