A look back at the history of our understanding about the elements that so mix to create a person with Down syndrome is both heartbreaking and hopeful as we see how it’s possible for attitudes to change with knowledge and understanding.

Wil has a very set — and happy — routine in the morning. His alarm goes off, I go to his room, sing him a song and give him a hug (definitely a daily stop and smell the roses moment for me — making time for songs and hugs are Wil’s priorities and remind me… Read more: Routine

Our Human Services leader is telling us to be weak. To be devasted by a diagnosis. To feel damaged because our children are neurodiverse and may not pay taxes. I was devastated but I CHOSE to RISE! I CHOSE to love my child for who they were and to find others that gave me strength… Read more: Rise!

When I was a very young child I remember asking my dad, “What IF this happens? And what IF that happens? Then what IF this happens?” He looked at me and replied, “There are no ‘what if’s.’ You just do.”

He’s a 16-year-old kid. He wants to be a 16-year-old kid the way he is, just like any 16-year-old kid wants to do things the way they do.