Almost a decade ago, I sat at dinner with a friend and wept. Postpartum depression wouldn’t relent, my husband’s business was keeping him busy far beyond the “normal” 40-hour work week, and my infant son had just been diagnosed with Down syndrome. I was struggling but...
Sometimes I forget.
Don’t get me wrong, I don’t actually forget my son has Down syndrome. It is with us every day when we slog through reading basic books, every time I struggle to understand what he is trying to say, and every time I wonder if he doesn’t understand...
My youngest child is what we call an escape artist. Joey is eight and has Down syndrome. He also has limited impulse control and virtually no fear of strangers, wandering away from his parents (or teachers or other caretakers). Add to that a limited vocabulary and difficulty answering...
“I just want to be shallow and happy!” I cried. I was sitting at dinner with friends, a much-needed break in a hard season. I was still struggling with my son’s Down syndrome diagnosis, still stumbling through depression. Overwhelmed by the seemingly insurmountable...
Although I originally posted this article here about two years ago, it came to mind as I was listening to the most recent podcast on The Worthy Walk. The story of Joseph (the guy in Genesis, not the earthly father of Jesus) is one of my very favorites. I couldn’t help but share...
“Now then, consider from this day onward…” Haggai 2:15
“Consider from this day onward…” Haggai 2:18
Seven years ago, my world was turned upside down when my three-month-old son was diagnosed with Down syndrome. Hearing that my child would struggle to grow and...
This isn’t how it’s supposed to be. We’ve all uttered those words at some point, but for a while they basically became my mantra. This morning I read through some old posts and journal entries from the days (ahem, months) following Joey’s Down syndrome diagnosis,...
Friends, if you have been around for a while, you may have already seen this article, but I have BIG NEWS! I got an e-mail yesterday that this post is now being featured on The Today Show’s parenting blog!!! So may I humbly ask you for a favor? Please click on the link below, which will...
“Mommy, can I ask you a question?” I could tell this was not going to be a simple yes or no question. I was packing her lunch, feeding her breakfast, and giving the baby a bottle. It wasn’t a great time for a heart-to-heart but I saw the thoughtful look in her eye and knew I...
