CLICK HERE FOR THOUSANDS OF FREE BLOGGER TEMPLATES »

Thursday, February 28, 2008

Oh good, he's gone.

BAM! BAM! BAM! I ran to the front door holding Madison. Who on earth wanted me to answer the door so urgently? Don't they know I'm busy?

So I open the door to a strange sight. Five menacing looking-men, two on either side of the door, one on the lawn, one around the corner, one in the driveway...what in the world???

"We're the from sheriff's department looking for Mr. X. " Oh, I think to myself. They're looking for the sex offender that lives across the street. So I point to the famed house and tell them I haven't seen him in about 3 months. They cross the street and bang on that door. Sheesh, do these guys know about doorbells?

After an animated conversation with the woman who lives there-with plenty of grandkids who stay the weekends, I might add-the sheriffs leave. Hmmmm. I guess Mr. X didn't show up for his meeting with his parole officer. Maybe he went to Mexico. I'm just happy he's gone!

Hey, now we can play outside in the front yard again!

Tuesday, February 26, 2008

Hey You Tube jerk--yeah, I'm talking to you!

It’s a free country and we all have our right to say what’s on our mind, and yes, even be mean about it. We have our right to free speech, gosh darn it, and we can do and say anything we darn well please. Just look at You Tube—one of those powerful forces that bring both good and evil into the world. Anyone, even you, can put pretty much anything on there, including some pretty hateful things about the weak and innocent. Some of the disgusting dark side of the force crap that vomits up out of the worst parts of human souls land on You Tube for no reason other then a laugh and shock value. “Look at me, the offensive filth says, Look at me! Me, me, me!” And so, we look, drawn by the siren song of a bloody car wreck, all eyes on the filth for one powerful moment. We collectively shudder and turn away. And the poster gets his coveted attention. His precious few minutes of fame. Well, poster of filth, it worked. We all looked, we all reacted, and then, we all turned our eyes at you and wondered…wondered a number of things, such as why? And, where are his parents? And we all passed judgement on you. Yes, poster of filth, we think you suck. We think you are scum, a low-life, a person we don't want around us. Was it worth it, poster of filth? Did your little adventure into making fun of someone who is weaker than you make you feel like a big man? Shame on you! Next time you feel like picking on someone with Down syndrome, I DARE YOU to come look me in the eye and say it to my face.

Sunday, February 24, 2008

Dopey Has Down Syndrome

You’ve seen it, too. The alabaster skin with the shining dark hair. The evil Queen with the really bizarre head wear. The poisoned apple. And don’t forget the adorable little diamond miners—each representing a distinct personality trait or medical condition. Some of those little men had real problems. Doc, the caretaker, had his work cut out for him watching after the bi-polar twins, Happy and Grumpy. Sleepy had a severe case of either sleep apnea or narcolepsy. The painfully shy Bashful could hardly speak around Snow White. Sneezy was allergic to life, so that counted him out for feeding the chickens or dusting, what with the mold and pollen count and all. Then there’s Dopey. Loveable, silly ole’ Dopey. When I was a child I never took notice of Dopey, never thought he was weird, or strange, or even out of place. I just figured he was part of this big and wonderful family of woodland folk who loved to sing and dance.

Then I watched Snow White again as an adult, as a parent of a child who was born with Down syndrome.

As my children and I were watching this classic, the most amazing discovery dawned on me. Dopey has Down syndrome. Think about it—he’s smaller then his brothers, evidenced by the clothing that is too big for him. His ears stick out, just like my daughter’s ears. He is non-verbal, just like some people with DS. He always has a sweet smile on his face, and jokes around a lot with his brothers. Sound familiar? He seems a little mentally slow. And he has the biggest heart in the whole place. The Seven Dwarves would not be complete without Dopey. And here’s something that I find the most interesting of all.

Did you notice how much Grumpy loves him?

Yeah, Grumpy. The guy everyone loves to hate. Well, Dopey doesn’t hate him. Dopey loves Grumpy, probably more than you or I will ever know. And Grumpy, although a very grumpy fellow, is still a child of God and needs to be loved just like anyone else.

And that is the point I’m trying to come to. We need people with Down syndrome around us. They, despite their disabilities or maybe because of them, have a huge capacity to love others. They can be really funny, making us laugh when we need it the most. They give hugs freely, without embarrassment. As a whole, they are the sweetest people I know.

I know, I know, some of you are screaming at this page about me being stereotypical. Yes, I understand that not *all* people with Down syndrome are sweet, funny, and loveable; after all, they are individuals just like the rest of us. But you know what? People with Down syndrome are a part of our human family, and they have a place here. They belong.

People with Down syndrome are individuals of worth with something to offer society that can’t usually be measured in a typical fashion.

Advocacy Begins At Home


I’m back, and I’m shaking like an autumn leaf in a windstorm. Shaking with excitement, that is.

This Friday evening was our elementary school Fall Family Festival, with booths, games, food, and prizes, and lots and lots of parents there with their children. What a perfect opportunity for the maiden voyage of the brilliant and eye-catching “it’s just different” T-shirt. I wore the brown long sleeve one, and plastered a smile on my face.

Wow, what a response. There were lots of sly stares out of corners of eyes coming my way. There were open glances. There was even a lady that came up to me and with intense feeling bubbling up in her told me how much she loved my shirt.

This was a great experience! Experiment number one was both a success and a learning experience. People looked at and absorbed the message. They were impacted by the bright and elegant design. I’m fairly certain that people who took note of my shirt will remember the words that “Down syndrome isn’t scary, it’s just different”!


www.cafepress.com/madisonsplace