Nothing earth-shattering tonight, just the observation that kids are amazing. These two little boys have so much energy, and so much love, and are so giving (when they want to be).
Tonight they each drew pictures of the other with the MagnaDoodle. James was especially excited to add lots and lots of hair. Then they were dancing to swing music, which quickly turned into wrestling. So we read books (including "Love You Forever," which always has me in tears) and they fell asleep. Not a bad way to end the day, even with the frustrations and struggles to get jammies on and everyone settled.
God is good.
Monday, October 20, 2008
Friday, October 17, 2008
So why Merry Christmas?
OK, so maybe the title of this blog needs some explanation. James loves Christmas (specifically, the Sesame Street movie "Elmo Saves Christmas") more than just about anything else. And when he's really happy, and we're congratulating him on something, after the high fives, hugs, or whatever, he will often say and sign, "Thank you, Daddy!" then "I love you Daddy!" and "Merry Christmas" (or something closer to "Merry MissMuss," but we know what he means). It's something that just melts your heart.
31 for 21
So I started this blog because I saw "31 for 21" on a number of other websites, which it turns out is a movement to blog about Down syndrome every day during October. I got a late start, but here goes for the remaining days of the month.
Today I want to talk about how amazing the Buddy Walk can be. We participate in the one in Seattle, sponsored by the Down Syndrome Community. This month was our 6th time. I'm always moved by several things. First, the actual sense of community--all of these people (700 or so) in a public space, together, with something significant in common (DS) but so many differences: age, ethnicity, religion, social status, income level.... Another thing that moves me is all the support for DS that hasn't been there all that long. Support from state agencies, private groups, family, friends, other parents and self-advocates. And the thing that always brings tears to my eyes is the self-advocates, speaking for themselves and giving me a vision of all the things my son can be. Things that can be hard to see in the day-to-day grind. It's a really beautiful experience. And finally, the fact that the Puget Sound Buddy Walk takes place in view of the Space Needle, at Seattle Center in the heart of the city. It's just a really special experience for me each year.
Today I want to talk about how amazing the Buddy Walk can be. We participate in the one in Seattle, sponsored by the Down Syndrome Community. This month was our 6th time. I'm always moved by several things. First, the actual sense of community--all of these people (700 or so) in a public space, together, with something significant in common (DS) but so many differences: age, ethnicity, religion, social status, income level.... Another thing that moves me is all the support for DS that hasn't been there all that long. Support from state agencies, private groups, family, friends, other parents and self-advocates. And the thing that always brings tears to my eyes is the self-advocates, speaking for themselves and giving me a vision of all the things my son can be. Things that can be hard to see in the day-to-day grind. It's a really beautiful experience. And finally, the fact that the Puget Sound Buddy Walk takes place in view of the Space Needle, at Seattle Center in the heart of the city. It's just a really special experience for me each year.
The beginning...
So this is my first post, inspired by the many blogs by parents of children with special needs, many other sites and blogs about people with disabilities, and just working day to day at being a dad.
Here are some of the things that interest me, and that I might comment on from time to time:
JAMES!! My older son was born March 17, 2003, and is currently a student in Developmental Kindergarten in Edmonds, Washington. He speaks and signs, loves to run and play with (and lay on) his younger brother (2, going on 17); He rides a horse (Zorro) every week for "hippotherapy," gets speech therapy once a week, and has been talking more and more clearly with more and more words since starting kindergarten. He loves to ride the bus, to sing, to dance, to laugh. He also gets mad, throws things, yells at his brother, and pouts. In other words, he's a lot like any other 5-year old.
INCLUSION: schools are microcosms of community which should reflect the diversity of the larger society and treat everyone there as citizens with equal status and worth.
PERSON-FIRST LANGUAGE: People with disabilities, not disabled people, OK, John McCain? Barack Obama? Even SARAH PALIN!? It's not a small thing; it's a HUGE thing that acknowledges we're all human beings on the same level.
PARENTING IS HARD: and that kind of speaks for itself
PARENTING IS AMAZINGLY REWARDING!! and that kind of speaks for itself too
That's probably enough for a start, right? I'll be adding links, pictures, and comments as time goes along. Join me in this conversation!
Here are some of the things that interest me, and that I might comment on from time to time:
JAMES!! My older son was born March 17, 2003, and is currently a student in Developmental Kindergarten in Edmonds, Washington. He speaks and signs, loves to run and play with (and lay on) his younger brother (2, going on 17); He rides a horse (Zorro) every week for "hippotherapy," gets speech therapy once a week, and has been talking more and more clearly with more and more words since starting kindergarten. He loves to ride the bus, to sing, to dance, to laugh. He also gets mad, throws things, yells at his brother, and pouts. In other words, he's a lot like any other 5-year old.
INCLUSION: schools are microcosms of community which should reflect the diversity of the larger society and treat everyone there as citizens with equal status and worth.
PERSON-FIRST LANGUAGE: People with disabilities, not disabled people, OK, John McCain? Barack Obama? Even SARAH PALIN!? It's not a small thing; it's a HUGE thing that acknowledges we're all human beings on the same level.
PARENTING IS HARD: and that kind of speaks for itself
PARENTING IS AMAZINGLY REWARDING!! and that kind of speaks for itself too
That's probably enough for a start, right? I'll be adding links, pictures, and comments as time goes along. Join me in this conversation!
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