WhirlyQ

Today when I was buying supplies for our upcoming family vacation, I had to pick up some diet pop. I’m not finicky about brands of cola … Pepsi or Coke will do equally as well (though I gravitate slightly toward the blue of Pepsi). When my hand reached out I nabbed a twelve-pack of mini Diet Cokes… […]

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I know it sounds odd to be talking about school in early July, but Davey has extended year services. This means that he goes to 5 weeks of summer school to avoid regression on his skills and abilities. Because he’s starting a new school in the fall - an out-of-district placement several towns away - […]

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Two months ago, Davey started using the PECS system of communication at school. In brief, PECS entails a picture exchange. The “speaker” selects an image (photo or symbol) from a set of cards and hands it to the “listener” to communicate wants, needs, moods, etc. PECS can communicate a single want, like a drink or […]

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Be honest. When someone talks about people with Down syndrome, the majority of minds will conjure the image of a grocery store bagger. Ok? Ok. I’m just getting that out there in front of us. Frankly, growing up I rarely if ever saw a person with Down syndrome outside that context, or if I did, […]

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Today is World Down Syndrome Awareness Day! For more information, head to the Down Syndrome International website.
And do you get it? Today is March 21st…. 3/21… Trisomy 21. Ok, ok, I guess you’ve got it.
I’d go hug my favorite little guy with an extra chromosome, but he’s sound asleep. He was so tired from playing […]

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I have no idea what I’m doing. I find that on the verge of Davey’s kindergarten placement, I am lost amid a sea of confusion on what is right for him - how much inclusion, how hard do I fight, what is he capable of… I have no idea. No idea. And I feel like […]

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Jules and Mae have lately been obsessed with the bald-headed, four-year old cartoon entity otherwise known as Caillou. They want to watch the show over and over and over. (Tivo is a miracle.)  Back when Eddie was a wee lad, he passed through a Caillou phase. It was never my favorite kids show but there […]

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One of the things I wanted to know after Davey was born was what he would look like. I had barely a moment to gaze into his eyes before he was whisked off to the Special Care Nursery, then another too brief visit a few hours later when we were told for the first time […]

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Many things I wanted to write about today but I am putting it all aside to focus on one story. This one.
When I heard on NPR that the women involved in these bombings were innocent victims themselves, I was overwhelmed with rage and sorrow. I slammed my hands on the counter and wept. The mass […]

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There are levels… layers… of adjustment.
Today we met with Davey’s school team — school director, regular pre-K teacher, sped teacher, therapists — to discuss his Kindergarten program for the coming year. The meeting went well, we all agreed on the type of program and support he needs. And he needs a lot. A year ago, […]

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