Wednesday, October 1, 2008

Happy October!


October is Down Syndrome Awareness Month and a blogger has sent out a challenge to blog everyday for the month of October -- 31 days to raise awareness of Down syndrome (a.k.a. Trisomy 21). Get it? 31 for 21!? I did not know a lot about Down syndrome before Morgan was born. I knew the chromosome make up of Trisomy 21 from my high school and college Genetics classes but that was about it. I remember asking the pediatrician right after I had gotten 'the news' if Morgan would even know that I was her mom? Would she ever talk or walk? He looked at me like I was crazy and asked me if I had ever known anyone with Down syndrome. He reassured me that Morgan would do EVERYTHING my other children do but just at a slower rate. I am so grateful for the positive attitude of this pediatrician and letting me know right from the start that everything was going to be just fine!

I don't know if I can promise to blog everyday but at least I will try to blog a little more about Down syndrome and raise awareness for others. I am also hoping to visit my children's classrooms this month to discuss disabilities, Down syndrome, the "R" word and acceptance.




I LOVE this picture of Morgan (9 mos. old) and Gavin!

12 comments:

Lori said...

Good luck with this challenge. I think it's an awesome goal to blog everyday to raise awareness for your precious girl (although every day might be tough for busy mothers:)!

I love the picture and the look on both their faces, priceless!

AZ Chapman said...

I hope y blog every day I am trying to do it as well

Mandi said...

That is the cutest picture!

My name is Sarah said...

Oh that is such a cute picture.

Cortney said...

Heather I am also putting something together for Annas school. I'd love to hear what you are doing. I hadn't even thought of addressing the "R" word. That is huge thanks for that idea.

Emily said...

Glad to see that you are joining the challenge! Very cute of baby Morgan! And sorry to hear about the BEE adventure, at least you will have something to laugh about in the future (although I am sure you were certainly NOT laughing at the time!)

Brittany said...

I know that we have already said how much Morgan teaches us all the time but it is true. How nice it is to have someone in your family to remind you how important patience and acceptance is! She is such a sweet heart and loved so much!

Anonymous said...

Great picture! Talking in classrooms is a great experience. If you wnat some Advocates to hand out let me know and I will give you some!

kecia said...

good luck I am also trying to do it!

Shauna said...

That picture is precious!! And good for you for making us more aware...there's a lot I need to learn obviously!

kellyclay said...

I love the picture. and thank you for making all of us more aware.

Tausha said...

I finally have gotten a chance to read more of your blog. I to had that same question, will he know that I am his Mom? I gave my first child up for adoption and so it was really hard having Sam thinking wow, now two of my children won't know who their Mom is. I also read your blog about her birth. Wow, you are a very strong women. It's good to know we all have similar feelings when we receive the diagnosis. I am grateful to of gotten through those first few days and can now see the beauty they bring and the peace.