Love and Forgiveness

 This is sort of a guest post from my cousin Kelly.  She sent this to me in an email last week and I though that it was fitting to share with you.  All of the following content is from her email to me:

"I was in my ethics class the other day and the instructor was talking about each person having abilities and disabilities and how both abilities and disabilities should be appreciated in each of us.

"She told the story about an encounter that she had with someone where they were quite clearly pointing out the disabilities of someone with Down syndrome. I don't know how the discussion began , the instructor elaborated more on the end of the story. The result was the instructor saying to this other individual that there were many abilities that could be appreciated in an individual with Down syndrome, and went on to point out that never has she known anyone who could love anyone and everything so unconditionally as a person with Down syndrome. And that never would you encounter anyone who would forgive as freely and someone with Down syndrome.

"I have thought about that conversation the instructor had in our class many times since then. And I would have to say that from my experience, which is quite limited, I would have to agree with her.

"And I wish, even if for only 1 day I had the ability to love so unconditionally and forgive so freely. What an incredible blessing to have such amazing abilities.

{sometimes Aubrey gets carried away with LOVE!}

"I couldn't help but think of Aubrey and what a ray of sunshine she is. And what important abilities she shares with us."  -Kelly Kohl

Thank You

We are blessed with the best family and friends....that goes without saying.  They treat Aubrey like any other kid....she's just one of the Smith Girls!  Maybe it isn't that way, but it  FEELS that way to us.  If feels normal and comfortable.  She blends in.  She's one of the crowd.

{friend at Oktoberfest tonight, teaching Aubrey and her friend how to search for "needles" (straws) in the hay}

We are so honored to have been given this gift, and we are so thankful that those around us, family, friends and strangers, who have embraced her as well, abilities and disabilities alike.

When she was first born, I read so many things and heard so many things about how others would treat her different and we would have to fight "politically correct language".  I like to take the high road and feel like the world is changing.  Only one time in 4 years have we ever had to deal with the word RETARDED being used (and it wasn't even about Aubrey).  Everywhere we go, we get nothing but love and blessings and support.  It is rare that I go into a store and someone doesn't have a wonderful story to share about someone they know who has Ds.  People WANT to be educated about her...they ask tons of questions.

We are blessed that she was born in this day and age.  She is surrounded by more educated people and there are so many possibilities for her.

So thank you...to our family and friends and even strangers,  who have rallied around our girl, to make her life "normal".

Anything you can do....

{Notice big kid on the right in the red, taking out the baby....the life of a little sister!}

She tried really hard to roll down the hill like her sisters.  She isn't quite there.  She didn't quite get it.  But she tried and she didn't give up and she got better the more that she tried.  And she was proud of her accomplishment!

I think one of the biggest blessings is that Aubrey is sandwiched in the middle.  She is constantly trying to keep up with her sisters.  It pushes her beyond her abilities most of the time and I think THAT is better than any therapy session!

Equally important, she isn't the baby.  It maybe sounds silly, but I think it's a good thing.  She has that new role of BIG sister and she steps up in a big way most of the time.  She is an encourager and a leader to Emelia.  I don't think she would have the opportunity to do that on a daily basis, had we not been blessed with another baby.

Our family and her position in it....just as God intended and truly a blessing!

Kicking the ball around....

She's much better at that!(it didn't go far....but she is pretty good at the kick!)

Normal and Typical

I think that some of the best advise and the most important thing that we have done as parents of a child with Down syndrome is to treat her as normally and typically as possible.  It really isn't hard....it comes rather easy.  Sure we have to adjust things a little, but we don't give her special treatment just because she has Down syndrome.  Truth is, we probably push her a little harder to do things, because we know she needs that push to get her going.

She brushes her own teeth, picks out her own clothes (most days) and with assistance, puts them on.  She has chores around the house and she has to help clean up and tidy her room.  She carries her own back pack and lunch bag at school and even puts them away her her locker.

She's a typical 4 year old....hanging out with friends.

And getting invited to birthdays.

 And she rarely misses a beat.  She keeps up so well for someone who is almost 1/2 as big as most kids her age.  

And is she ever crafty!  She sometimes gets a little carried away when studying the letter "Q" :)

She has good days and bad and once in awhile there is a temper tantrum where she just sits down in the middle of the store and refuses to go anywhere....just like typical 4 year olds.

She shows love and compassion and empathy for others and it melts my heart.  Not because I didn't think she would do that for others, but because she is such a caring person and such an example of love.

So while we make adjustments for her sometimes (since she is so small and doesn't talk much), we try our best to treat her like any other 4 year old and we hope you will do the same.

Wordless Wednesday -- Trouble x 2

{St. Louis Children''s Science Center}

Hey....Can I drive now?!?!?!?

Creating Change in Others

I read this article a couple weeks ago and have been waiting to share it with you today.

I can only hope that our little Aubrey will always be received with this kind of respect from others, and given the same opportunities as typical kids.  But I also hope that she can create this kind of  positive change in the world.  I hope that in meeting her, they learn to accept and respect ALL people and not just those with Down syndrome.

Meet Ted here.

{photo credit: The Enquirer/Jeff Swinger}

Important

Nothing says "busy mom of 5" like a blog that hasn't been touched in MONTHS....but I'll say it out loud.  "Being a mom to 5 is hard and busy and fun and exciting and frustrating and a learning process."

 I'm sure we are just like any family....coming and going and running.  We're your typical family.

Except our 4th daughter has 3 copies of the 21st chromosome....she has Down syndrome.

There are very few times that those words are uttered around here.  She's just Aubrey to us.  And I like it that way.  But the truth is that she does have Down syndrome and that piece of her can't be left out....it is part of what makes her HER.

 We are so lucky that she was born in this time period, because the hope for people with Ds is so great.  Very little is going to hold her back and there are so many opportinities for her.

 But those opportunities wouldn't be there if it weren't for people who advocated for individuals with Down syndrome.

 October is National Down Syndrome Awareness Month.   So it's time....31 for 21.  31 days of blogging in support of those with three copies of the 21st chromosome.   It is a month that is set aside, to help raise awareness, raise funds and raise hope of a better world for individuals living with Down syndrome.  

So, yes life is busy and hurried and things have to be prioritized a lot, but advocating is important.  So come back each day this month and learn a little more about Aubrey and our life and what living with Down syndrome is like and what YOU can do to help be an advocate for her and other people with Ds.