Here to celebrate day 26 of Down Syndrome Awareness Month is the energetic, athletic, seventeen-year-old Jonah! I’ve known Jonah’s family for years. His sister, Anna, is a dear friend of mine, and his mom, Laura, was an inspiration to me even before I joined her on this journey of parenting a child with Down syndrome. It’s been really fun for me to catch glimpses of Jonah as an uncle the last few years and to dream about seeing Sam in that same spot down the road. Laura shares a few things about her son today as we near the end of this month of celebrating. You can find Laura on Instagram as @throughlauraslens. Thank you, Laura & Jonah!
What are some things Jonah likes to do?
Jonah is very social. As a Junior in high school, he is taking in everything he possibly can. Currently he is the football manager and will be the basketball manager this winter. He is FULL of school spirit and can be seen giving the players pep talks on the sidelines, has been known to write out plays and give them to the coaches after a rough game, and will run in front of the student section to get them on their feet cheering for the team! He is worth the admission fee to watch him in action!!
What is something he’s really good at?
Jonah has achieved his black belt in karate!
What is the most wonderful part of knowing him?
Jonah is his own unique self. He believes he can do anything! He teachers me every day to not be afraid to try!! I can’t imagine life without him.
Check back tomorrow as we continue celebrating Down Syndrome Awareness Month or click below to read all of our previous posts.
Gracie!! Do you remember this sweet face from her post a year ago? Oh, she just melts me! Miss Gracie is two-and-a-half now and you can see her on her mama’s Instagram feed @jme027 and on their blog NormalAsWeKnowIt.com. Thank you for celebrating with us today, Gracie and Jamie!
What are Gracie’s favorite or least favorite foods? Gracie loves all food. She has quite a personality and it comes out in full force when she is eating yummy food. I joked on her first day of school chalkboard that she wanted to be a food critic when she grows up! She loves any sweets, but every day she usually eats avocados, green smoothies, hummus and crackers, and PBJs! She eats better than my 5-year-old.
What has Gracie taught her brother? What has he taught her? One of the things I most passionate about is God’s calling on my life to spread the word that Gracie is #morealikethandifferent . She loves her precious brother, Gage, and he adores her. Whenever we talk to Gage about Gracie and how she has Down syndrome, we always tell him that she is just like him, but may need a little extra help and a little extra cheering. He has taken that advice and blown us away by how loving and compassionate he is with her. He has extended that same compassion to others with special needs and it is clear to me what a blessing Gracie is to him as he grows. He can’t help but be better because of her, and so are we. He is her greatest teacher, too. If he sees me working with her on something, he wants to do it.
What is something you want everyone to know about your daughter?
Gracie is not a burden to us. She is a blessing to us in every way. Gage will be a more compassionate, loving, encouraging person because he has had the opportunity to grow up with Gracie. And Gracie? She will forever have a big brother that will change the world for her. He knows God created Gracie perfectly and he wants to spread the word that Down syndrome is awesome.
Check back tomorrow as we continue celebrating Down Syndrome Awareness Month or click below to read all of our previous posts.
Hello, Conor! This handsome three-year-old is here to celebrate day 24 of Down Syndrome Awareness Month! His mama, Danielle, has lots to tell us about her son, but I first have to tell you about the beautiful organization these two have created. Baskets of Love delivers baskets to new parents of littles born with Down syndrome in the Vancouver, Canada area. I so highly recommend clicking over to basketsofloveds.com to read more. You can find Conor and Danielle on Instagram as @basketsofloveds and as Baskets of Love on Facebook .
What are Conor’s favorite or least favorite foods?
He loves pasta/noodles, Hawaiian pizza, any fruit and vegetables you can dip in dressing and ice-cream! He takes after his momma and is not a fan of peanut butter or any food that can get stuck in the small arch of the roof of his mouth like mashed potato.
Who is his favorite cartoon or movie character?
I’m pretty sure that Rachel from Signing Time is one of his favourite people on the planet.
What would he do if they could design his own day?
Wake up bright and early and go to the park with this three favourite people (mom, dad and grandma). Then go for a long walk to explore everything and everywhere. Eating would be optional.
What are a few things he’s really good at?
He’s very good at picking up on the emotions of others. He doesn’t like to see people hurt and gets upset if you are. Using this super-power, he’s an excellent manipulator and knows how to get what he wants…especially if he flashes that smile of his followed by a hug and kiss.
Who does he love to spend time with? What do they do together?
Apart from mom and dad, his absolute best friend is his grandma. They have spent a lot of time together and he absolutely adores her. She has a hard time saying “no” to him and he loves it. She also loves to watch him explore and embraces his “run with the wind” spirit, which he revels in.
How is he similar or different from their siblings?
He doesn’t have siblings but I see similarities in children his own age in that, at the end of the day, he thinks the world revolves around him and is appalled when you remind him it isn’t. His schoolmates are becoming so aware of differences and the uniqueness of everyone. They are teaching him to come out of his shell a little more and participate instead of parallel play.
What is something you want everyone to know about Conor?
Everyone tells me how cute he is and what he beautiful smile he has. While that is undeniable, I want people to know that there is so much more to him than being the cute little boy with Down syndrome. I want them to know that he is fully capable of reaching his goals with a little support. And I want them to know that he’s a runner, so I apologize for not being able to sit and drink coffee with you at the park. I’ve got to go run after my kid who’s about the hit the street.
What is the most wonderful part of knowing your son?
The people we have met and the friends we have made along this journey. Some really great people we would have never otherwise met in an eye-opening world where you can see beauty in the different.
What have been good resources for you to learn more about Down syndrome?
Our local Down Syndrome Research Foundation has been a great resource (dsrf.org). The new book “A Parent’s Guide to Down Syndrome” has been a good read. What we really need is something similar for Canada.
What is something you don’t think many people know about Down syndrome? How busy it can be, so I apologize if I haven’t called you right back or responded to your e-mail in a timely fashion. While our life is pretty normal, it’s also pretty full.
Check back tomorrow as we continue celebrating Down Syndrome Awareness Month or click below to read all of our previous posts.
Miss Hazel is here to celebrate day 23 of Down Syndrome Awareness Month with us! I introduced to you Hazel last October and am so happy to have her back as a four-and-a-half year-old this year. You can find Hazel and her family on her mama’s blog ChasingHazel.com and on Instagram @chasinghazel. Thank you, Steph, for taking the time to share your gorgeous girl with us!
What would Hazel do if she could design her very own day?
If Hazel could design her own day, she would get up bright and early and jump right into her daddy’s arms. He’s her all time fav. (I believe the feeling is mutual.) If she could shrink him and stick him in her pocket THAT would definitely be ideal. If not her dad, her Nonna is next in line.
She might choose to go to school, hang on the monkey bars with her friends and sing together with them at circle time. Likely, she would carve out some time to play with her shadow and/or look at herself in the mirror. That’s where she practices all her songs and the signs she’s learned. She has some pretty lengthy conversations with herself in that mirror. Then, if she could find time in the day, we would certainly be at the park where she loves to climb all over everything and go down the slide. Or, maybe she would rather go for a long walk outside with her sister. THE BEACH!!! She LOVES the beach. Splashing in the waves, swimming and jumping into the water all bring a huge smile to her face.
Heading into the evening, Hazel would ask me to listen to all her favourite songs or watch a movie while eating a bowl of Sunchips. Her current favourite songs are, “A Woman’s World” by Cher, “My Church” by Maren Morris, the theme song for Tinkerbell, and any Jimmy Fallon Lip Sync Battle. Once her chips were done she would ask to listen to all the songs again so she could dance this time around. Think…”If You Give A Mouse a Cookie” but “If You Give Hazel A Song…” Her top movies at the moment are Shrek, Tinkerbell, Frozen and Peanuts.
Oh, and if she could just eat pasta, pizza, chips, grapes, ice cream and Oreos that would be fantastic. All of which are free range, organic so it’s cool. #nope
What has Hazel taught her sister, Nola? What has her Nola taught Hazel?
Since Hazel came first in birth order I really didn’t spend much time stressing about what having a child with special needs would mean for a sibling. When I found out I was having another little girl though, my heart nearly exploded right out of my chest. I felt that we were given the most perfect person to care for, nurture, shape, love and teach Hazel for a lifetime ahead. What I didn’t realize at the time was how Hazel would nurture, shape, care for and teach her younger sister, Nola.
There could not be a more perfect pair. They are extreme opposites in every single way except for the fierce love they have for each other. They laugh, play, run, jump on the bed, fight, cry, yell (well mostly Nola yells…sigh), hit each other (well mostly Nola hits…double sigh). They do all the things that siblings do. Good and bad. They look for each other when they aren’t together, walking all around calling out each others names, “NOLA?? Where are you??? NOLA???” and vice versa. They sit together, criss-cross facing each other and talk in a language that only know AND they think it’s hilarious! They sing and dance together. They share with each other.
They are learning to be partners. They are learning to be friends. They are learning to be sisters.
What is the most wonderful part of knowing her?
The most wonderful part of knowing Hazel is the way that she has helped me to really FEEL. Until I laid eyes on her, I had no idea what unconditional love meant. She taught me right from the beginning how to love in the biggest, most wholesome way. And not only for her, for everything. The world was a big new place that I hadn’t seen before in this way. Like my heart had not really been beating at all before she came along. My vision once blurry became crystal clear. Everything heightened.
When I feel pride for her it nearly knocks me down in my tracks. When I feel discouraged it almost cripples me. When I see that bright, smiling face of hers, my heart skips a beat. When she brings me in for a hug or a kiss, well – I almost melt into a puddle right there on the floor. It’s true love – a fairytale.
The real beauty is watching her interact with every. Single. Other. Person. Her purity and sparkle surpass all borders. Even the most reluctant of people in the grocery store are taken by her. All she has to do is flash them her smile, and a “HI!!!! How are YA?!!!” They are hers. I watch everything wash away and see them truly FEEL happiness even if only for a moment. Every room we walk into is brighter not only because of her smile but because all the other people are smiling back at her. You can almost feel their hearts beating a little faster when she’s around.
Being able to witness the joy your daughter brings to the world has been one of the greatest gifts that she has given me. I feel honoured to walk beside her. She is absolutely perfect in every single way. I can not imagine how I would have gone through life feeling as blessed and fulfilled as I do right at this moment without my sweet Hazel.
Check back tomorrow as we continue celebrating Down Syndrome Awareness Month or click below to read all of our previous posts.
Do you remember this handsome fella from our month of celebrating last year? He was itty bitty than, but Charlie is now a strapping 19 months old and has clearly just become more adorable every day in the last year. Alissa, with your girls included, how on earth do you handle all the cuteness in your house? Friends, Alissa and her Charlie are joining us to celebrate day 22 of Down Syndrome Awareness Month today! You can follow them on Instagram at @deerpathponderings.
What has Charlie taught his siblings? What have they taught him?
In the short time Charlie has been in our family he has taught us many things. Charlie has taught his older sisters that people with Down syndrome can do anything. I just love how my daughters aren’t aware of the misconceptions that people have about those with Down syndrome. They often wonder what Charlie’s job will be when he’s older and how many kids he will have. It’s encouraging to me to see that they don’t put limits on him and I shouldn’t either! Charlie has taught his older sisters the joy of having a little brother. Someone who loves cars, eating grass, and getting dirty. I am confident that they will become better people for having Charlie as their little brother. Charlie’s older sisters have taught him how to say “more”, climb the stairs, and be a part of our family. They love reading to him, playing violin for him, and helping him walk.
What are a few things that they are really good at?
Charlie is a good eater! He has been my least picky kid when it comes to food. He has also learned the sign for “more” lately and uses it often. So far, he thinks it only applies to food! Charlie is good at climbing the stairs. Lately, he climbs them so stealthily that I don’t even know it til he makes it to the top. Charlie is great at pushing his toy cart. He’s getting more confidence and strength to help him to walk. He’s already great at the bear crawl and very fast at it too!
What is the most wonderful part of knowing Charlie? I just love how Charlie makes people smile. He is so full of joy that it rubs off on the people he meets. Another wonderful part of knowing Charlie is the fact that God gave him to us for a reason. It’s exciting to think about how God will use him to impact the world, including us, his family!
Check back tomorrow as we continue celebrating Down Syndrome Awareness Month or click below to read all of our previous posts.
Say hello to Stella! This little miss is three years old and is another one of our family’s Instagram loves. You can find her there under @stellamagic. Today her mom, Andrea, answers a few questions about her darling girl for day 21 of Down Syndrome Awareness Month. You can find Andrea on Instagram at @arod4481. Thank you for sharing with us today, Andrea and Stella!
What are some things Stella likes doing?
Playing outside. Watching TV. Dancing to music videos and playing in any kind of water!
What are her favorite and least favorite foods?
She hates milk and water, but she loves smoothies, apples off our tree and goldfish crackers.
What are her favorite movies and books?
Pete the Cat, Sesame Street and Wallykazam
Who are her favorite cartoon characters?
Wallykazam and Elmo
What would Stella do if she could design her own day?
She would have the sliding glass door open and go back and forth between outside and the couch watching TV while eating goldfish crackers. And she would be swimming in a pool we don’t currently have.
What are a few things she’s good at?
She is really good in the water for not having access to a pool. And she is good at playing kickball.
What is something you want everyone to know about your daughter?
Her smile and giggle can light up a room. She does anything she wants to do, and she is not limited to anything.
Finally, what is something you don’t think many people know about Down syndrome?
People don’t have to feel sorry for parents of children with Down syndrome. We don’t feel sorry for ourselves!!
Check back tomorrow as we continue celebrating Down Syndrome Awareness Month or click below to read all of our previous posts.
Miss Hazel is here to celebrate day 23 of Down Syndrome Awareness Month with us! I introduced to you 
