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Advocate Down Syndrome

Bloom by Kelle Hampton

There are lots of people who help us on our journey to becoming who we are meant to be.

Some of these people who we will come across we might not even meet in person.

Some of my teachers on this journey have been my parents, my grandparents, my godmother, my friends, my sorority sisters, my yoga teachers, my REAL life sisters, my boyfriends past, my boyfriend for life, and my children.

Oh my… my children…and because of one of my kids’ extra chromosome, she has been my greatest teacher of all.

In order to equip myself for the new journey that I was embarking on, when she was born I found lots of books I wanted to read. Many books were textbooks…textbooks on how to teach my child to read (bc everyone learns differently), how to reinforce her gross motor skills, how to reinforce fine motor skills, and even things to expect in the first two to three years of her life.

I looked for blogs and websites to help me get through the dark and sad moments where I questioned my faith. I found mothers who were angry, mothers who wanted to fight, mothers who gave helpful hints and how to’s, and I found mothers who were all about rainbows and unicorns. 

As I read the books, the blogs, and searched the websites of organizations and the not for profits, I realized how joyous and (contrastingly) difficult it could be to raise my daughter. I realized that I would come across people I would have to fight in order to get what I needed for my daughter, and I also realized that I could look for the good in every situation so that my whole family would find happiness in the gift of Gelli’s extra chromosome.

 

Sometimes all we need is a shift in perspective to see things clearly. Thank you @etst for helping me find the good. #etst #bloom

A photo posted by Michelle Aventajado (@mommanmanila) on Feb 18, 2015 at 12:56am PST

I wouldn’t be honest with all of you if I didn’t tell you about this one book that I read cover to cover in a matter of days. Bloom, by Kelle Hampton, helped me bloom into my “special” motherhood with Gellibean.

I haven’t always been the kind of girl that would choose to look at the silver lining. Many things can cause a shift in the way we think and the way we perceive the world. Sometimes, it’s a moment. Sometimes, it’s a period in your life that changes everything. Sometimes, it’s a class. Sometimes, it’s a book. And…sometimes it’s an extra chromosome.

If Kelle Hampton’s blog helped me survive those first few nights without my daughter at home while she was in the PICU, I knew that her memoir would be even more special for me. I knew that I would be able to laugh and cry my way through her story and find comfort in another mother who was handed a diagnosis of T-21. 

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Photo credit: my mom 🙂

I would like to take some excerpts from the book and share them with you. 

Contextually, this quote comes from the part of the book where Kelle’s sister arrives and puts everything in perspective for her. Her sister Carin, can actually be a combination of a couple of different women in my own life, who have done the same thing for me, no matter the situation…

“So many people fear hard times, ” she said, “they go through their life solely seeking comfort and avoiding personal growth at all costs because it hurts. But I promise you, Kelle. I promise if you can find a part of you to believe me and trust what I’m saying-you will be happier than you’ve ever been. There will come a day when you believe everything I’m saying from the deepest part of your soul, and it will be real and true. That’s growth. I want you to picture some hypothetical person in your mind-someone who handled Down Syndrome exactly like you wish you could. Now go and be that person. Rock this out, Kelle. Rock it out and show the world another way. Imagine a light switch in your brain-a switch that shifts your paradigm. Put on different glasses, discard the old ones, and flip the switch, Kelle. Because life is all about how you look at it.”

And if that shift in perspective wasn’t enough for Kelle, she had a visitor just before she was ready to go home from the hospital with Baby Nella nestled lovingly in her arms. One of the nurses came into to see her before she left the hospital. 

“I have to tell you something,” she whispered. Her beautiful Spanish accent was thick and pronounced, turning her words into poetry. “No one else knows, ” she continued. “I heard the nurses talking about this woman with a baby with Down Syndrome and I thought I must come see.”

She gripped my hand a little tighter, and her smiled deepened.

“You are…so lucky,” she said, “so very, very lucky.”

I smiled, warm tears rolling and nodded. Yes, yes. We are lucky. I leaned down and kissed Nella’s cheeks while a tear rolled off onto her forehead and I quickly brushed it off.

“You see, ” she continued, “I was you one day long ago. I too had a very special baby just like yours. A little girl. And I wanted her so very much. Everything was pink” – she laughed and waved her arms in the air- “the room, the clothes. I couldn’t wait. And when she was born, they told us that our baby too had Down syndrome.” She rolled the “r” in syndrome so beautifully that for the first time, the word sounded pretty, magical…poetic. “But, you see-” She stopped for a moment and wiped her tears. ” Our baby didn’t make it. She was sick. And I would have done anything to keep her. I would have done anything to be in your place.” She looked down at Nella and touched her cheek. “So I just want you to know, you are a very, very lucky woman. And she is beautiful.”

Photo Credit: my dad :-)

Photo Credit: my dad 🙂

This memoir was made even more special for me because my mom, knowing how important this book was for me (since I asked her to preorder it on Amazon) asked my dad to take her to a book store where Kelle was holding a book signing in Florida.

Thank you Mom. I LOVE YOU.

Mom with author, Kelle Hampton.

Mom with author, Kelle Hampton.

My biggest take away from this memoir?

The fact that we can all choose to find the good. Life is NOT always good…but we can find the good…just like Kelle says…if we look.

I don’t have to look too far, Kelle…thanks to Gelli and her extra chromosome.

Wanna find some good with me this weekend? Join us as Team Gellibean walks in our third Happy Walk with The Down Syndrome Association of the Philippines Inc. (DSAPI) 

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It’s December 1st! Is there anything more delic It’s December 1st!

Is there anything more delicious than the smell of Christmas and the new found freedom as we anticipate celebrating the holidays with our families again?

@festivalmall has hosted a series of musical shows since November 5th that include Ace Banzuelo and Silent Sanctuary. Check out Michael Pangilinan on December 10th, too!

With Santa visiting, Christmas parties, arts and crafts and lots of promos, you can even enter for a chance to win a Toyota Fortuner!

Best of all-I love it when the places we know give purpose to their celebrations. Thank you #FestivalMall for partnering with @dsapi1  this holiday season. 

Thank you for sharing all the different ways we can celebrate the holidays with you!

#tistheseason #seasonofgiving #downsyndromeawareness #aintnothingdownaboutit #upsyndrome
I have always been intimidated by Cornish Hens. Th I have always been intimidated by Cornish Hens. Through this learning exercise with @usapeecphl, I have learned a bit more about these little birds that have bigger breast parts, and thank you Chef @ivoryyat for showing me how easy it is to prepare Greek Lemon Roasted Cornish Hens with Roasted Potatoes.
 
Clean and fresh flavors are perfect for these smaller birds that are rich in protein with zero carbs. Try the recipe in the comments section. I’m sure you’d enjoy it as much as I did!
 
Interested in U.S. Cornish Hens? You can buy them in stores near you. #CornishHen #USCornishHen #PoultryPerfection #CookingWithUSPoultry #USPoultry #USAPEECPHL #ad
@gi.aventajado and I played with some of the @pura @gi.aventajado and I played with some of the @puratosph products that they sent over the other day. Ready to use Bavarian Cream made these Cream Puffs easier than ever. I think we have to figure out how to temper our couverture better…

#workinprogress #wasdelicious #giabaked #puratosph #gavinosph #anyonecanbake
@mommymundo always has a way of bringing together @mommymundo always has a way of bringing together just what we need, no matter the time of year. Loving these photos of my first boy that were snapped @expomom.

Anyone else thinking about #HolidayPhotos? I am not one of those moms that has it all together before Christmas. It’s usually a mad dash for us at the end of the year, but if it’s anything that the past few years has taught me, it’s that the little things are what makes the Christmas special.

Many of us haven’t been together with the extended family or even our immediate family in so long. That means it’s the perfect time to document.

@nextbymetrophoto will be hosting one last Christmas Marathon family photo shoot before the end of year. Check them out or shoot them a message. They have some cute set-ups.
****GIVEAWAY ALERT*** 10 things I LOVE about @sed ****GIVEAWAY ALERT***

10 things I LOVE about @sedahotels listed here and on FB!

1. Each property has a Signature Dish. If you can’t make it to Bacolod, you can still enjoy Chicken Inasal in any of their properties.

2. Clean Design. So easy to work and play in a space that is light, modern, and clean in design. 

3. Beautiful views. Every chance I got, I would sit outside at @straightupatseda. 

4. Spacious Rooms and Residence Stays. Staying in the Three Bedroom Premier was perfect for our family. 

5. Attentive Service. Everyone was pleasant and accommodating.

6. Centrally Located. If you are thinking of fun things to do in Makati and want a home base, Seda Residences Makati is near a few of the museums, parks, and malls.

7. Work with ease. Internet service is uninterrupted. Meeting rooms are available and easy to book.

8. Relax and Play. From mid-day tubbies with Gelli to, taking advantage of the pool, or the children’s room, the little girl had more than enough things to keep her busy!

9. #FamilyTime. Spending an extended amount of time outside our own space led to laughter, fun conversations, and opportunities to try new things. We were comfortable and rested in the space we were in, which meant more opportunities for us to connect.

10. Homegrown with a Purpose. A Filipino brand that understands the importance of both work and travel, each property is important to the city & province location. Environmentally aware by adopting Mayumi, a Philippine Bald Eagle. 🦅

Want to win your own staycation at #SedaResidencesMakati?

Up for grabs is one night in a ONE BEDROOM DELUXE for two persons with breakfast!

Here’s how to enter to win:
1) Follow @sedahotels 
2) Follow @mommanmanila & @kitchen143 
3) Tag a friend (or more) who love(s) staycations too!
4) Comment why you should win this staycation treat!

Plus points for people who share this post in stories and the winner will be announced on December 6th.
Thankful for work that doesn’t feel like work. Thankful for work that doesn’t feel like work.

@kitchen143 is something I really do love. Sharing a little bit of my kitchen with viewers and followers brings me joy. Even better when I get to work with chefs whom I can learn from and friends who like to spend time in the kitchen too!

#Thanksgiving
Thankful for the gift of music. Wish I caught mor Thankful for the gift of music.

Wish I caught more mini moments from We Will Rock You.

Such a great musical!

@sedahotels 
#sedaresidencesmakati 
#sedaat10
Thankful for @bestbuddies_ph. @gelliaventajado j Thankful for @bestbuddies_ph. 

@gelliaventajado joined our family and led me to @bestbuddies. 

Thankful for all the ambassadors who were able to spend time with us. And for @smlpeeps  and @asurionphcareers for helping make magic happen on Saturday afternoon for #Friendsgiving.

#Thanksgiving #bestbuddiesph
Thankful for women who share their faith with me. Thankful for women who share their faith with me. 

#Thanksgiving
Is there anything better than a stuffed turkey at Is there anything better than a stuffed turkey at this time of year? Whole turkeys require serious commitment to cook. #IYKYK But because U.S. Poultry is now available here in the Philippines, that also means preparing turkey is a tad bit easier.
 
Frozen U.S. turkey products are available and ready to cook for people who want to dabble with flavors for this bigger bird but aren't sure how.
 
Thank you to Chef @ivoryyat for putting together a medley of my favorite fall flavors. This combination of apples, sweet potatoes, and maple syrup perfectly compliment  the roasted turkey leg and remind me of flavors and scenes from back in New York. 
 
@usapeecphl l has the highest standards that follow USDA requirements which are certified safe before shipping to the Philippines. Get them in stores near you. 

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