Happy New Year!

I can't end the year without wishing everyone a Fantastic New Year!  2010 was fun, but I'm sure 2011 will be even better!  To all my friends around the world and in the U.S. and to my family, I wish you a prosperous and healthy year to come!

31 for 21:12

First, I would like to Thank Ms. Sally from Swiss Family Carter for her sweet comment of my Lillian and for asking me some questions!  But, she is also another mother in this fantastic club that I belong to AND she happens to live in Switzerland!
She asked some very good questions:

• What sort of therapies do you receive for Lillian right now?  Right now, Lillian is receiving Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Developmental Therapy and Speech Therapy (however we are taking a hiatus on Speech). All within the week for an hour each.  I believe, this is pretty typical throughout the United States.  Every state and county here will offer something or will try to find you the resources for your child.  Now, I could be wrong, but we received very good services when we lived in Washington and now here in Northern California.
• Are you happy with what you get?  I am happy.  She has a great group of people working with her and caring for her.  They are patient and stern when needed (she’s becoming very cheeky).  They also provide me with a lot of support and information.  Not only do they help Lillian, they are very good at listening to my concerns.
• Have you ever been to Europe?  YES YES YES!!! I am a certified genuine 100% Air Force Brat!  My father served in the U.S. Air Force for 24 years and 22 of them were served overseas.  I lived in Spain, England, Japan and Korea.  I’ve traveled to Germany, Scotland, Wales, Holland, Italy and did a drive by through Luxemburg.  Now that I’m a Navy Wife, I spent a short amount of time in Italy when my husband was stationed there for a year.
• Ever likely to visit?  I think I answered that question above.  However, I know I’m going to go back one day…because I love Europe!  However, when I do go back, you will most likely be in Australia by then…so maybe we’ll have to take a vacation down under???

So, Ms. Sally, How about you answer these same questions???  I would love to know more about the services you Ms. J is receiving and I want to know if you have been to the U.S.  And will you make a visit any time soon???  In fact, if you are from another state or another country, please answer these questions!  I would love to know more and see how much different or same our services are.
And for the rest of you…I’m still open for some questions.  Email me if you like or just post a comment here!  Don’t be shy…

There’s no better cure for sadness than laughter…so Lillian says Laugh Laugh and Laugh.

At least once everyday!

 

31 for 21:3

If you have never met a person with Down syndrome or a family raising a child with Down syndrome, it is understandable that you may be at a lost for words.

So, to clarify some things (the ones that I can think of for now) are:

1. Please please please try not to say that our children are angels and a blessing.  Although, you might be sincere, but truthfully, all my children are angels and blessings.  Having Down syndrome does not make you become soft and gentle, always smiling and giving.  Because if that's the case, then Lillian does not have Down syndrome :)  Her brother and sister can vouche for that!
2. As much as it doesn't make any sense to you, please refer to my child as a child with Down syndrome.  I know that my child has Down syndrome, but she still is a child first (people first language)
3. Does she have a mild case of Down syndrome?  Ummm...well, mild compared to what?  You either have Down syndrome or not.  Whether she could be high functioning or not, Down syndrome does not come in ranges.
4. And never ever say, "I'm sorry".  To me it sounds like you think we are living such a poor and  unhappy life.  But, what I've learned from Lillian is that you choose to make your own happiness, and that I could never be sorry for.

So, really all I'm asking is for you to just be happy for me.  Tell me that my children are all so beautiful, smart and kind.  With that, you can't go wrong. 

My life is so good...I can just chill!