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Advocate Down Syndrome

Down Syndrome Awareness

There are some days that I don’t even think about Down Syndrome. 

Really.

I mean, Gellibean has Down Syndrome…Yes. But Down Syndrome does NOT define who she is. 

 

Right now, we are surviving enjoying the “terrible twos,” so aside from some developmental delays, Gelli is just as naughty, funny, and independent as most other two year olds. She gets up every morning and asks to brush her teeth, begins her day by eating a healthy breakfast, and pretty much runs the whole household into doing what she wants to do…exactly when she wants to do it.

I’ve decided that this will be the school year that I enroll her in an activity with other children. I just haven’t gotten around to deciding which one it will be. I’m considering Gymboree, Little Gym, and some of the programs in the preschools in the area like The Little Apprentice.  These are all the same activities I considered with my three big kids. So there isn’t much difference in how I am raising Gelli, except for my awareness. GELLI HAS MADE ME SO MUCH MORE AWARE.

But then there are days when I worry about Down Syndrome. Like, the day that I read somewhere online that there is high percentage of people with Down Syndrome who develop Alzheimer’s. Alzheimer’s is hereditary and I have it on both sides of my family. Knowing that fact is scary enough, and then couple it with idea that Gelli is at an even higher risk for it simply because she has an extra chromosome? Well…I was in bed for days after I read that information. The good thing was that Gelli was still small enough that she could just cuddle up next to me.

But  I digress, and that’s not why I’m writing today. I don’t  like to write about sad and unpleasant things, although, I do know that they are a part of life. I share them when I think it will mean something to someone. I share them when it helps me heal.

Today I’m writing for awareness…and for KINDNESS.

I have always understood the concept of being “nice,” or doing something  “nice” for someone. But after I saw this post on Pinterest, my idea of Random Acts of Christmas Kindness evolved into something so much more. It became an activity that I did with the kids during Advent. We talked about kindness, we talked about doing things for people, we talked about how fortunate we are, and then we went out and shared our Random Acts of Christmas Kindness.

 There have been some recent (very sad) current events which sparked a conversation between some of the SoMoms. We spoke about how cruel children can be to one another, and how there seems to be a a degradation of values amongst children who are left to navigate the internet, school, and even life, without the guidance of adults who can inspire and teach these children, the value of a kind deed over an expensive accessory or piece of brand name clothing. 

But anyhow, the point that I took home was this: “Kindness is underrated.” My friend Neva, who also understands why I write today, said exactly that. “Kindness is underrated.” Neva and I have shared many concerns that we both have raising children with special needs. Be it our heartaches, fears, challenges, or children’s successes, it’s easy to identify with a parent who “gets” where you are coming from. And because of Noah, she “gets it.” 

I think that one of my biggest fears when Gelli was born, was that people wouldn’t be kind. Or generous. Or understanding. Or open…to my daughter. 

The irony in all of that is that I have never seen people MORE kind. Or generous. Or understanding. Or open…since she has joined our family.

So, today, I would like to ask everyone to share. Remember, Sharing is Caring and in this post, I would like you to post in the comments an act of kindness (or a RANDOM act of kindness for someone you didn’t/don’t know) that you have done or plan to do for someone you know . If that person has special needs, all the more better! 

IMG_6051

In one week from today, four readers will be chosen, so I can share something too! My friend Ruby over at Kick Off has a print shop. She printed the t-shirt that Gellibean is wearing in the slider above, and for one of the Mommas I follow online who has a daughter the same age as Gellibean who lives in California. I love it. I have been thinking of this give away since February for Down Syndrome Consciousness Month! But since I was so busy, I didn’t have the time to put it all together. Thanks Ruby for printing these for me 🙂

I’m opening this Contest of Kindness up to anyone…anywhere…So all you have to do is comment and share to have a chance at winning one of four t-shirts. I will pick four readers who leave a comment and each reader will get one t-shirt. T-shirts are in yellow and blue (for Down Syndrome awareness) AND are good for kiddos who are 3-4 years and 7-8 years old. (SORRY! I don’t have any other sizes, just the ones that are seen in the picture.) 

Hope to hear about some of the beautiful acts of kindness you will share that I know are making the world a better place. 

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Comments

  1. Patty B. says

    June 2, 2014 at 7:51 am

    The slideshow! I miss you Gellibean! (fyi, tried to sign in using Twitter acct. took forever to connect)

    • michelle says

      June 2, 2014 at 10:41 am

      Thanks Patty for stopping by! The slideshow was so easy to use! Maybe you have a random act of kindness that you would like to share? Or a time when you were kind to someone you know who needed it?

  2. manilamommy says

    June 2, 2014 at 1:23 pm

    An act of kindness I received that I would always remember is waiting at a bus stop during a veeerrry bad storm. I ran from one corner of a street to the waiting shed to seek shelter. Everyone was huddled closely. I was really soaking wet and I didn’t have a handkerchief with me so I was just standing there wet clothes and all. A man behind me quietly tapped on my shoulder and offered me his white hanky. I was so touched. I refused to use his hanky because I didn’t want to soil it but he insisted. I just wiped my face and thanked him.

    I will never forget that. I think I survived all my years of commuting because of random acts of kindness like this 😀

    • michelle says

      June 2, 2014 at 2:27 pm

      You know, Nevs…
      I wonder if that man even knew how much his simple act of kindness did for you that day. I guess, that’s what it’s all about. Doing something that might not seem like such a big deal but the kindness behind it is what is remembered. When we were still living in NY, Nino and I would love to go out in the snow with our big truck and help people who had run off the road during a snow storm. Our friends would think we were so funny…going out in the middle of a snowstorm to simply “HELP” people who needed it when everyone was being told to stay off the roads. But we secretly called ourselves “The Street Avengers,” saving people from the snow that they were stuck in!

  3. manilamommy says

    June 2, 2014 at 3:57 pm

    So true Mish. Acts of kindness really are spontaneous events. I bet those people you helped have somehow paid the deed forward. My god snow. Di ko kaya yan haha. Alam mo if that man who gave his hanky asked for my phone number I would have given it to him without thinking hahaha 😛

  4. Peter Ames Ressa says

    June 2, 2014 at 9:25 pm

    LOve you Michelle!

    • michelle says

      June 3, 2014 at 7:34 am

      Love you too Dad. TONS.

  5. Nancy says

    June 3, 2014 at 9:57 am

    My little girl Naomi greets people around her — says Hi, smile, and waves her hand. I dont know why but she does that most especially to security guards, waiters, cleaners, elevator operators, yayas of her playmates. I learned from her and now i do the same by greeting same people i encounter — saying Hi or Good morning, and they’ll give me back a big smile 🙂

    • michelle says

      June 3, 2014 at 4:54 pm

      Sometimes, when I’m having a bad day…all I need is a smile 🙂

      Thanks for stopping by Nancy!

  6. Calie says

    June 3, 2014 at 10:09 am

    Hi, working mom of two beautiful children. My simple random act of kindness happened this morning on my way to office. I am commuting everyday from Cavite to BGC (where my office is – approx of 1.5 to 2 hours of commuting). I am used of standing inside public air-conditioned bus. This morning the bus was all-seats-taken but is still decided to ride in it to get to office early. There was this Lady with her 2-year old son who jumped in after me. Imagine, standing inside moving vehicle carrying a 2 year old boy! Nobody even offered a sit. Well, gentlemen are now very rare. Luckily, the seated woman beside me where I am standing will get off on the next stop, and a seat will be vacant! Without thinking twice, I offered the seat to the lady to make them both comfortable and for me to enjoy the rest of the journey standing…

    • michelle says

      June 3, 2014 at 4:56 pm

      Aw. Calie. That was so nice of you.

      As a mom, you know how hard it is to take care of a 2 year old while traveling! You made her life so much easier by giving up your seat for her and her son. I think when moms recognize how hard it is for each of us, there is a collective there that takes place. We are better to one another. More supportive.

      I love that. Thanks for sharing and thanks for stopping by.

  7. abegail says

    February 26, 2015 at 9:25 pm

    Hi a simple kindness..
    Of a same situation.. but an act of appreciation.

    In a mother (24 of age) now of a 5 months old healthy baby girl w/ (down syndrome).. at first shocked.. but as time goes by im living with it.
    My inly fear was how will people accept her. Yes given the situation.. but still the fact she’s an angel.. a blessing given to us.. to give more inspiration, happiness..
    We love her soooo much..

    • michelle says

      February 26, 2015 at 9:38 pm

      Congratulations Abegail! You have been gifted a true angel! You will find that your daughter will bring you a new level of awareness…She will open your eyes to so many things you haven’t noticed before. Have you joined the DSAPI group on Facebook? Please consider attending the next Early Intervention Seminar 🙂 You know what? I was worried that about how people would accept my daughter too? But I realized that I didn’t need to worry about that too much after awhile. Gelli just has a way with people and they can’t help but open up to her and love her 🙂 Just like we do…

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It was a breezy day. Overcast. A little chilly to be in a suit, but it was perfect to catch up with my girl Candy. Sometimes, if you have chosen your friends well, you can pick up where you left off, as if no time has passed at all. 

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What does that look like?

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