We are now part of the Key Ministry family and all our new content will be featured there. We'll leave this site up as a resource and hope you'll join our team of writers at our new home. … [Read more...]
We’ve Moved to KeyMinistry.org
We are now part of the Key Ministry family and all our new content will be featured there. We'll leave this site up as a resource and hope you'll join our team of writers at our new home. … [Read more...]
For parents who aren’t ready to celebrate Down syndrome during Down syndrome Awareness Month
For parents who aren't ready to celebrate Down syndrome (This is a post author Gillian Marchenko (Sun Shine Down) shares every year in October for Down syndrome Awareness Month. If you are a new parent or a seasoned parent to a child with Down syndrome, wherever you are in the journey today, Gillian is here to tell you it is okay.) I read a blog yesterday from a mother of a child … [Read more...]
Love pushes us to the front of the crowd, reflecting on a dual diagnosis
Love pushes us to the front of the crowd, reflecting on a dual diagnosis I belong to a private Facebook group for parents who have kids with a dual diagnosis of Down syndrome and autism. I think of myself new to the autism world but in actuality, my fourth daughter Evangeline has held the diagnosis for, oh my goodness what has it been? Two years? Although I mostly lurk, the dual diagnosis … [Read more...]
Letting go of self-sabotage on the special needs journey
Letting go of self-sabotage on the special needs journey It took my daughter Polly, who was born with Down syndrome, a long time to walk. When she was around two and a half years old, her physical therapist loaned us a stander; this wooden contraption that looked like it may have been used for torture at some point in the past, designed to strap kids in while standing upright to build muscle … [Read more...]
Where’s my IEP?
Tomorrow morning I will attend yet another IEP (Individualized Education Plan) meeting for my daughter who has Down syndrome. I'll never forget the first one. She was just three years old. I remember worrying about an 'us against them' attitude between the professionals and my husband and me. I was afraid my voice wouldn't be heard. I was afraid I didn't even know what to say. Our family has … [Read more...]