It Ain't Pretty

So, Sawyer has needed something to help his eyes for almost a year. Finally, they determined glasses were the ticket. This is what happens when an almost 4 year old gets new glasses. I did manage to get him to keep them on for about 10 minutes. Fingers crossed we can get him to keep them on more with practice.

A video


After the video, he agreed to let me put them on for the picture and then he yanked them back off.

Picture It! Sicily 2008

Ok. It wasn't Sicily.(That's for my old friend Jeff who loved the Golden Girls) Even so, the day was pretty good.

First, Judson went with Randy to work.
Then, I dropped Sawyer off at school.
So it was Mom, with only 2 babies. What is a mom to do with all this 'freedom'? I scooted around town like a free woman. I dropped papers off at the doctors office. I picked up meds from the vets office. Then I headed to the mall for some 'important' shopping.

On the way over, Ansley informed me she had the ba-hiccups. She said she needed Tylenol to help get rid of them. I informed her that would not help. Later, she said the ba-hiccups were gone. I told her I was glad. She said, if they came back, she'd ba-hiccup again. My reply, "yes, I guess you will".

So at the mall:
Picture it, Me (old caucasian woman) being followed by a very talkative Asian girl pushing an equally vocal African boy in a stroller. Oh yeah. First stop, food court for biscuits. I saunter up to the register to place my order. Out of Ansley's mouth, "Hi. I'm Ansley. This is my brother, Turner Mesfin. Isn't that right, Mom?" Alas, all questions running through everyone's head were answered. (Typically, when I'm out with all 4, I'm pegged as running a daycare)

Then we head off looking for open stores. (not many as we were there early) I mistakenly head up stairs bumping Turner in his stroller behind me, thinking I can get outside and into the lone open store. Alas, there was no outside door. BUT, as I was going up a gentleman asked if he could help by carrying the other end of the stroller. I tell him Yes, Thank you. Ansley informs him her name is Ansley and that he's my brother. Again, I see a relief in the man's face. As if to say, "Ahhhh, that explains it".

Before anyone thinks Ansley is overly friendly to strangers, let me clear that one up. She is very quiet around strangers unless Mom (or Dad) is talking to them. That seems to make it okay.

So that was my day. Fun, Fun, Fun. Oh, and for my sister whose daughter used to have to hit the bathroom everytime we'd go somewhere, Ansley is now familiar with 3 bathrooms in the mall.

Too Funny

We had our friends Evie and Doug over for lunch today. So good to visit and catch up with the haps in their lives. So, I made this bean dip to eat with lunch. Nothing special, just 'okay'. Sawyer and Turner DEMANDED that I give them some right after I made it. They didn't want it with chips, just wanted to eat it with a spoon. Sawyer went on and on about it being 'licious'. SO much so, that Ansley and Judson decided they'd try it. So, I gave them a microscopic bite. They both gagged it up. It was hilarious. T and S ate seconds. A and J will never understand why.

Poor kids. Don't have any furniture to sit on. They have to sit on cases of cokes.

Meet Connor Gifford The Author

From his BIO: CONNOR GIFFORD lives a full life in Nantucket where he works and volunteers for many organizations. He is a Board member of STAR, an innovative provider of services to children with special needs. He loves going to films and the theatre, collecting videos, and reading history. Right now,I am living on the island of Nantucket. My parents are Julie and Chuck Gifford. I have two brothers: Cameron who is 23 and Hunter who is 22. I am 26, the oldest, and I love my life!

During my growing up years, we lived in Perrysburg, Ohio where I graduated from high school in 2002. Some subjects I did poorly in, like math and science. But, I succeeded in English, and my favorite of all, history.

He has written a book: America according to Connor Gifford

Go read his blog here. Go see pictures of him here. Make sure you click on the "Excerpts" button and read from the book. Extremely interesting.

'Splain Me This

Why is it, my daughter chooses THIS 3-piece fleece ensemble to wear on this 85 degree day.

Yet tonight, she chooses to sleep in this when she doesn't sleep with any covers.

Wordless Wednesday

How Can I Help?

This time of year, many people start looking for ways to help those who need it. This year, especially, there will be no shortage of areas to help. SO, I thought I'd mention a couple here. First, is the Reece's Rainbow Angel Project. It will kick off in November. You will have the opportunity to sponsor a child for adoption. It's a worthy cause so keep it in the back of your mind. You can find out more, starting in November by going to www.reecesrainbow.com.

Another worthy cause has an immediate need. You may or may not have heard about Tom Davis and his Red Letter Campaign. It's a pretty awesome initiative. Even if you are not 'religious' per se, you cannot deny his life is a testament to his faith. The specific cause I am referring to is to sponsor an orphanage in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. He is looking for a church or even a civic organization (or maybe several) that will step up and sponsor the Kechene orphanage in Addis Ababa. I know of one little girl who has been adopted from that orphanage. Oh my, what a sprite she is. Full of life and love and happy and smart, a true blessing to her family. The reality is, that most of the kids in this orphanage will not be adopted. In fact, Tom Davis is directly addressing the kids who will not be adopted, which is the majority of kids in this orphanage or any orphanage. There is nothing wrong with these kids. They've been dealt a lousy hand but they've done nothing wrong. The harsh reality of adoption is, once you are over the age of 2, you're not likely to be adopted. If you get on most any adoption group, you'll find the vast majority of people adopting are looking for Infant Girls. (as young as possible and as healthy as possible)

So I hope you will look at his blog HERE. You can click on his Red Letter Button and see more in depth information. Read about his hopes and dreams for this particular orphanage. Maybe you know of a group that would be willing to help. Maybe you can just say a silent prayer for the kids who live there. In any case, maybe you'll learn a little more about the lives of these kids.

AND IF YOU WANT PICS OF MY KIDS, scroll down. I've been trying to post daily about Down Syndrome as part of the Down Syndrome Awareness month of October. So there are more posts than normal.

I Have Become My Grandmother

Remember as kids, you would laugh at your grandmother for not being able to call the correct name of the person to whom she was speaking. We laughed at my grandmother many times for wanting to talk/yell at one of us but she went through many names (cousins,kids,aunts,uncles,etc) before she'd get to our name.

Well, I am that person. I didn't do it frequently with 3 children. Now, with 4, I do it ALL OF THE TIME. I call through all the kids names, even the cat or dogs names sometimes. Then finally, I either give up or say something like "Child of Mine" stop doing this or go do that.

Is it senility? My grandmother died at the age of 95. Her mind was quite sharp for her age. Plus, she was doing it way before she was 95.

I even did it to my friend's child. They came to visit and I was going to thank the child for coming over. Couldn't remember her name. Went through all the names in my head...alas, it would not come to mind.

You have to laugh but it does get frustrating at times. I guess I'll start a new rule. If I'm looking at you, you better do what I say because likely, it's you to whom I'm speaking.

Just wait til Christmas. Oh my, the cousins' names I'll have to go through just to get to the right child.

A few pictures of the kids. I'd label them but for the life of me, I cannot remember their names.

What happens when you come home from a long day at school.


Happy Kids!


A boy who is secure in his masculinity.


What's up with those goofy smiles?

Melissa Riggio

As published on the National Geographic Site.

When I first started to work on this story, I thought maybe I shouldn’t do it. I thought you might see that I have Down syndrome, and that you wouldn’t like me.

My mom thinks that’s silly. “Have you ever met anyone who didn’t like you because you have Down syndrome?” she asks me. She’s right, of course. (She usually is!)

When people ask me what Down syndrome is, I tell them it’s an extra chromosome. A doctor would tell you the extra chromosome causes an intellectual disability that makes it harder for me to learn things. (For instance, some of my classes are in a “resource room,” where kids with many kinds of learning disabilities are taught at a different pace.)

When my mom first told me I had Down syndrome, I worried that people might think I wasn’t as smart as they were, or that I talked or looked different.

I just want to be like everyone else, so sometimes I wish I could give back the extra chromosome. But having Down syndrome is what makes me “me.” And I’m proud of who I am. I’m a hard worker, a good person, and I care about my friends.

A Lot Like You

Even though I have Down syndrome, my life is a lot like yours. I read books and watch TV. I listen to music with my friends. I’m on the swim team and in chorus at school. I think about the future, like who I’ll marry. And I get along with my sisters—except when they take my CDs without asking!

Some of my classes are with typical kids, and some are with kids with learning disabilities. I have an aide who goes with me to my harder classes, like math and biology. She helps me take notes and gives me tips on how I should study for tests. It really helps, but I also challenge myself to do well. For instance, my goal was to be in a typical English class by 12th grade. That’s exactly what happened this year!

But sometimes it’s hard being with typical kids. For instance, I don’t drive, but a lot of kids in my school do. I don’t know if I’ll ever be able to, and that’s hard to accept.

Dream Job: Singer

I try not to let things like that upset me and just think of all the good things in my life. Like that I’ve published two songs. One of my favorite things to do is write poetry, and this singer my dad knows recorded some of my poems as singles.

Right now someone else is singing my songs, but someday, I want to be the one singing. I know it’s going to happen, because I’ve seen it. One day I looked in the mirror, and I saw someone in my head, a famous person or someone who was somebody, and I just knew: I will be a singer.

It’s true that I don’t learn some things as fast as other people. But that won’t stop me from trying. I just know that if I work really hard and be myself, I can do almost anything.

See Me

But I still have to remind myself all the time that it really is OK to just be myself. Sometimes all I see—all I think other people see—is the outside of me, not the inside. And I really want people to go in there and see what I’m all about.

Maybe that’s why I write poetry—so people can find out who I really am. My poems are all about my feelings: when I hope, when I hurt. I’m not sure where the ideas come from—I just look them up in my head. It’s like I have this gut feeling that comes out of me and onto the paper.

I can’t change that I have Down syndrome, but one thing I would change is how people think of me. I’d tell them: Judge me as a whole person, not just the person you see. Treat me with respect, and accept me for who I am. Most important, just be my friend.

After all, I would do the same for you.

Adoption Update

We're coming up on 2 months since we took placement of Turner. We're getting ready to schedule our 3 month post-placement report and I just thought I'd give you some idea of how things are going.

We cannot be more pleased and pleasantly surprised. The comparison between Ansley's adoption and Turner's adoption are like night and day. To say the honeymoon is still going is an understatement. It fills very natural and really no stress. I have to say, the stress level 2 months after bringing Ansley home was very high. Are we seasoned veterans? Nah. Just differences in personalities and experiences, I'd say. Ansley tends to be moody. Turner is just a happy-go-lucky kind of guy.

The kids are doing great together. Lots of sibling rivalry as well as camaraderie. Turner just jumps right in and joins the fun. He annoys his older siblings every chance he gets.

His English is great for the amount of time he's been here. He has too many words to mention. He also uses signs and has quite a few signs. He goes around singing "where is thumbkin" and "I love you, You Love Me". He loves music. He loves Sawyer. He loves food. (Not necessarily in that order)

Health-wise, not much going on. We've still not discovered the origin of his poopy distress. It does seem to be slowly getting better.

Are we tired? YES. We were tired with #1. We were tired with #2. We were tired with #3. So, YES, we are tired with #4. Are we happy? YES Ditto w/#1,2,3, and 4. Would we recommend adoption? YES Would we recommend adoption from Ethiopia? YES Would we do it again? In theory, YES. The reality is, 4 kids is a lot-finacially, physically, emotionally, timewise, you name it. We won't shut the door to #5 but I can say it's not on the horizon. Check back in 2 years. We seem to get the 'we need another child' bug every 2 years. If we make it past 2010 without another child, I'd say we're set.

Jacob Halpin

From his website:

Jacob may be the only high school varsity athlete with Down syndrome to have earned All-State honors. In Alabama all 402 high schools are included in one classification to compete for the State Swimming and Diving Championship. Jacob was the first handicapped swimmer to qualify for the championship finals at the 1999-2000 state meet. Personal best finishes at a state meet for Jacob are - 7th as a member of the 400 yard freestyle relay team, 26th in the 500 yard freestyle and 30th in the 100 yard butterfly.

In 2003 Jacob was a co-captain on the Gulf Shores High School swim team and received the Alabama High School Sports Magazine's Humanitarian Award.

Jacob F. Halpin, Class of 2003
Gulf Shores High School, Gulf Shores, Alabama

High School Swimming:
4 high school varsity letters in swimming
All-State honors
All-County honors
Featured in Alabama High School Sports Magazine (AHSSM)
Received AHSSM Humanitarian Award
Co-Captain GSHS Swim Team in senior year
Participated in 4 High School State Championship Swim Meets
State Meet personal best finishes (402 school classification)
400 yd. freestyle relay - 7th
100 yd. butterfly - 30th
500 yd. freestyle - 26th

Selected for inclusion in:
24th Annual Edition of Who's Who in High School Sports
25th Annual Edition of Who's Who in High School Sports
2003 Who's Who Among American High School Students

USS Swimming:
1,650 yd. Freestyle - 2nd at 2002 USS Southeastern Regional, District South

State Games of Alabama (State Games of America):
100 yd. Butterfly - Alabama State Silver Medalist

Special Olympics Alabama State Swim Meet:
2002 - 3 Gold Medals
2003 - 3 Gold Medals
Instrumental in founding Snook Family YMCA Special Olympics Swim Team

Attended Auburn Tiger Swim Camp at Auburn University - 3 years
City of Gulf Shores USS swim team assistant coach

Down Syndrome International Swimming Organization (DSISO):
First swimmer from United States to hold DSISO world records
2005 1,500 meter freestyle world record
2005 800 meter freestyle world record

PRETTY IMPRESSIVE STATS!

John Mark Stallings

Excerpts from this article.

You can go to the finest schools and get any advanced degree they offer. Or you can read all of the business and self-improvement books you want. But for a Ph.D in true wisdom, take a look at the life of Johnny Stallings.

You may have never heard of Johnny. He had Down Syndrome. When he was born, 46 years ago in Alabama, the doctors said he wouldn’t live even a year or two because of a severe heart defect. Other well-meaning doctors advised his parents to put him in an institution. “In a year,” they said, “you’ll forget you ever had him.”

But fortunately for all of us, Gene and Ruth Ann Stallings didn’t take their advice. They chose to treat Johnny as a vital part of their family.

....

But perhaps the most important thing that Johnny Stallings accomplished is this: he taught us that it doesn’t matter what awards you win, or what worldly accomplishments you achieve, it is how you live your life that matters most.

....

Gene Stallings, a star football player, champion ship coach and tough enough to be one of Bear Bryant’s legendary Junction Boys, probably used to dream of a son who would be an impact player, who would change the world, make a difference and someday maybe — just maybe — wear a National Championship ring.

“I prayed to God that He would change Johnny, but He changed me,” Coach Stallings once said in a speech. He added that if God offered him the choice of going back and having a “perfect” son without a disability or having Johnny, “I’d take Johnny every time.”

Read the whole article HERE.

Bernadette Resha

From her bio:

Born in Nashville TN with Down Syndrome, Bernadette has become well known in the art community worldwide.

Her exposure to the art world and culture started as a child attending as many art galleries, museums, concert halls and plays as her time would allow.
From an early age she was encouraged to draw and color in her own style as a form of expression and therapy. This has resulted in a body of work which documents an artist developing a unique style entirely her own.
With an artist grandmother and a mother fully committed to allowing her to use this medium of self expression for as far as she would care to take it, Bernadette now exhibits in numerous art galleries, art and craft shows throughout south east and attends many conventions throughout the United States showing and selling her work.

Check out her work HERE. Check out her wedding photos HERE.

Notice a similarity amongst all the folks I'm telling you about. (Besides Down Syndrome) Notice the artistic talent and creative outlets they were given as children.

Michael Johnson-Famous Artist

From Michael's Website, here: Michael Jurogue Johnson loves to paint every day. He uses watercolors, acrylics, and oil paints in a cheerful, naive style. His subjects are often flowers painted with bright colors and playful animals with expressive faces. Even Michael's night scenes are filled with energy, light and color. Michael has been painting fulltime for nine years. This gifted artist was born with Down syndrome, but he was also born with an inherited artistic talent. His family tree is filled with artists, engineers, and classical musicians.

Check out Michael's art work on his website:
http://users.psln.com/sharing/Michael/mainMichael.html

They are very interesting and many are for sale!

Buddy Walk 2008

The Buddy Walk is history. We all had a great time. We want to thank everyone who donated in Sawyer's name. We really appreciate it. Here are some pictures from the day. (Just a side note. Remember the 'worst haircut' I got right before Randy came home? I finally went and had all my hair cut off and am starting all over. It was that bad!) The only complaint I heard all day was while we were actually doing the walk, Miss Scarlett could be heard saying things like: "Get that sun out of my eyes", "I can't walk anymore, I'm tired", and "I'm hot". To which I (being the ever so sympathetic mom that I am) said: "Okay, sit here, we'll come get you in a little while". Consequently, she went to walk by Daddy. He's much more sympathetic than I.

Remember to click on the pics to enlarge them.

We jumped on the jumpy things!


We hula-hooped!


We rode the train!



We chilled (because this orphanage was bigger and louder than what we were used to, so we just watched from the sidelines this time)


A great time was had by all!!!!

Bit on Ethiopia

If you have a moment, take a look at this video. The man in the video, Belay, is one of the in-country staff with Gladney, the agency we used. Belay is an interesting man with an interesting history. The video is only about 5 minutes long but it gives an overview of the work Gladney is doing in Ethiopia.

Sujeet Desai

From his Website here: Hi, My name is Sujeet Desai. Suj is my nickname. I am 26 years old. On June 22, 2001 I graduated from Fayetteville-Manlius High school in Syracuse, New York with (4.3 GPA) honor roll. In May 2003 I graduated from the Berkshire Hills Music Academy in South Hadley, Massachusetts after two-year residential Post-secondary study in Music and Human services. After returning from the academy I moved to Rome, NY to start a job as a musician . In july 2006 I got married to Carrie Bergeron. Now we both live in an appartment in Rome, NY and enjoy our independent life together
Oh! I forgot to tell you that I was born with Down syndrome!

Be sure to read his brothers essay by clicking HERE.

Win A laptop

Just check out this blog and see.

Jane Cameron

As copied from her biography Here: Born in High River, Alberta, in 1949, Jane Cameron had an exemplary life. She travelled the globe, met dignitaries and stars, filled her room with medals and trophies commemorating her feats, and earned the esteem of countless individuals who praise her art and her grace.

When she was diagnosed with Down syndrome at four months old, Jane's parents were told their daughter was "retarded" and that they should: "Put her in an institution and forget about her." They were shocked and, despite knowing little to nothing about Down syndrome they decided that what their child needed was as much love, care and education as they could possibly give her.

Her biography goes on to tell about her enrolling in a school in Massachusetts. It tells of her artistic ability and her designing tapestries that now hang all over the world. It tells of her winning swimming medals in international Special Olympics competition. It shows many of her art pieces. So click on the word Here highlighted at the top and read more about her. She's an interesting and talented person who happens to have 47 chromosomes.

Down Syndrome Awareness

October is Down Syndrome Awareness month. So I thought I'd post about famous people with Down Syndrome. People who are doing 'everyday' things and making headlines. People who happen to have 47 chromosomes.

Ever heard of Chris Burke? Sure you have. He played the brother in the TV series "Life Goes On" many years ago. He also is part of a musical group. He and brothers Joe and John deMasi have a folksy kind of sound. They played last year at our Buddy Walk. One thing I remember from them is they told a story of Chris' parents. At the time Chris was school age, the school system where he was would not allow him to attend. His parents had to put him in a private school. Another story, several people with the show "Life Goes On" were hesitant to hire him. They feared he'd slow production down from sickness or not knowing his lines, etc. Chris was the only actor who showed up EVERY day and always knew his lines. Never called in sick. Did NOT slow down production. You can see more of his story here.

More later.....