Today me and my sidekick went to the school to get a couple IEP's, and try and get some help with homeschooling work. We had to stop at Carter's old kindergarten teacher (Mrs. Nelson) and say hi. This women absolutely adores Carter, and love's to see Arina. She squealed when she saw him, because she thought we'd already moved. She said she was just thinking about us today.
This morning they had a faculty meeting. In the meeting they were talking to the teachers about how to deal with racism, etc. I guess last year they had a real problem with sixth graders calling each other "faggots". Carter's teacher from last year spoke up and said that they also needed to watch the use of the word "retard". She went on to explain that last year she had a boy in her class that was offended by the use of that word, so they had a class discussion about what it meant. She really felt like this issue needed to be addressed as well. Mrs. Nelson said she just knew it was her little Carter that was that boy. Indeed it was!!
If my 23 month old baby can make a difference, so can you.
Tonight we went to dinner. Arina had all the people sitting around us in stitches. She would make a silly face, and then laugh hysterically! I'm not even kidding that people at 4 different tables were waving and laughing at the princess. Every time they would walk by she would charm them with her grin, and they had to pause and talk to her. One lady in particular was getting a lot of waves and grins.
Now lets say in a few weeks or months, a friend or relative comes to her crying. Her unborn baby was just diagnosed with Down syndrome. She is terrified. This lady is going to tell her about the gorgeous baby girl in the restaurant. She going to tell her how "normal" she is, and how funny she was. She's going to tell her that its going to be ok, and she'll love this baby the same as all her other children! And this baby is going to do everything that her other kids did.
What can you do to make a difference??
beautiful Lacey, we can all make a difference.
ReplyDeleteI just saw this on FB. So proud of him. He is just an incredible child. I feel privileged to have spent time with him and look forward watching him grow into the amazing man he will be ... in California of course!
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely beautiful...these big kids of special babies are SO mature and are indeed impacting. SO proud of your sweet boy!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great reminder that we can all make a difference.
ReplyDeleteBeautifully written Lacey. The picture is the absolute best!! Hugs
ReplyDeleteGreat job Carter and Arina! You are both changing the world for the better!
ReplyDeleteso true! we have to take our kids places so the world can be more excepting of us...and know how beautiful life can be...yeah for great teachers! smiles
ReplyDeleteI have been a NICU nurse for almost 7 years. Over the years, I have taken care of several DS babies, who were in the NICU for various reasons. When I started following your blog a few years ago, my love for DS babies grew 10 fold! Whenever we have a DS baby on the unit in need of a primary nurse, I find myself immediately signing up to take care of them!
ReplyDeleteI love it!
ReplyDeleteI love checking your blog for pictures and videos of your sweet princess! I was cracking up at the one of her with the laundry basket and had the thought "She's doing what most toddlers do, which is explore and get into stuff! So...more alike than different!" Arina has seriously made me think differently about Down syndrome and how much people with Ds can accomplish.
ReplyDeleteOh, by the way, I think the kid has a future in stand up comedy. :)