What a day of celebration for all people who happened to have or be lucky enough to love someone with that magical chromosome.  What an honor to write a post to celebrate this day!

I want to take this opportunity to show you in words as well as pictures how amazing these individuals are.  I hope I can do them justice because honestly it is hard to find the words to truly explain the gifts they bring each of us every day.

Like every community there are faces.  Beautiful faces and behind those faces are amazing families and friends.  This post is dedicated to all of them.  To all those people who are accepting of others.  To those people who lend a hand to help someone who needs their help.

We as special needs parents who are raising a child right now are so lucky. So lucky to have networks of support and information that will only make it easier for our children to be the best they can be.  I see the acceptance loud and clear.  It startles me sometimes because I don’t always expect it.  People actually go out of their way to not only accept my daughter but to love her too.  We are blessed!

I am not blind though I know there are others that may not be as accepting and I also know she is still a baby.  What’s not to love in a baby, right?  I know there will be times where she is not going to be accepted the way my boys are.  That is why this day is important.  It is one day to raise our voices for our children.  Make people aware of what Down Syndrome is and educate people.

These young adults go to college, they hold jobs, they have friends, they get married.  I could go on and on.  They are people, people who offer a whole lot to others.

RESEARCH
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This amazing Mama is on it!  I met Margie Doyle online a couple of weeks before I met my sweet Grace.  She contacted me and poured her story out to me.  She gave me the confidence I needed.  The confidence to be an amazing Mom to this new baby.  I will never forget those sweet words and I will try to pay it forward when ever I can.
She has now joined Down Syndrome Research and Treatment Foundation and will be speaking at the  first World Down Syndrome Day in the United Nations to inform others of the current research.  In celebration of the first World Down Syndrome Day DSRTF is doing a 3:1 match to all donations on 3-21 on their website www.dsrtf.org!
Down Syndrome Research and Treatment Foundation ) was founded in 2004 based on the belief that all people with Down syndrome deserve the opportunity to experience their full potential in life, and they fund the research to make this a reality.
COMMUNICATION

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I love blogs!  I love blogging and I love to read blogs.   I have been following them since my daughter was born.  I am not sure if she is the reason I started following them or if they just became popular around the time of her birth but they make me happy.  Most of all they educate me especially on Down Syndrome.  I have learned so much from fellow bloggers on therapy, diet, and education options just to name a few.  They lift me up and that is why I am introducing Brit and her sweet baby Katie.

Brit and I connected shortly after I started blogging.  We have a lot in common we were both boy moms before our girls were born and Brit also follows a Gluten Free/Dairy Free diet for herself and all of her children AND homeschools.  WOW!  Match made in heaven right?

Brit says ‘Katie will be 16 months on the 21st. She was diagnosed with Down Syndrome after birth, though it would not have mattered to them when they found out. They were overjoyed with her from the moment they knew about her. She is one healthy, fiesty, smart, and lovable little girl. She loves being involved in whatever the family is doing, she adores her three big brothers, and some of her favorite activities are “dancing” to music, swinging in the swing, and playing in the bathtub. She is truly a blessing to their family, and her smile lights up the entire house.’

To follow Brit and her family through homeschooling, family adventures, and the joy of raising a child with Down syndrome you can find her at All My Little Wonders.

AWARENESS

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Holly Simon is the mom of Nate!  What a guy Nate is…. he has a fantastic sense of humor and a beautiful smile, oh and he knows EVERYONE within a 10 mile radius of his home (or maybe further).  Holly has a passion, a passion for awareness.  She too wants to know that her son will have all the opportunities he is capable of having.  She does not want doors to close she wants them to open so her son can pass through as many as possible.
Holly has started a foundation.  I Am Who I Am and you can find her at www.iam-whoiam.com and I Am Who I Am.  She plans to provide support to New Mothers by celebrating the birth of children with that magical chromosome.  She also hopes to speak out for kids with special needs in the community encouraging others to accept them for who they are and celebrate the fact that all people are not created the same.
INVOLVEMENT

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All I have to say is We Grow Dreams.  WOW!  This beautiful mama, Joanne and her handsome son Nick both volunteer at this amazing greenhouse in West Chicago, IL!  Joanne and her son started at the greenhouse in the beginning with 50 other families.  She remembers being so amazed at Nick and how much he liked getting dirty, and despite the heat in the greenhouses, she was the one begging for a break, not him!  She has learned so much about him by helping him at the greenhouse, that she might not have otherwise.  He loves to put dirt in pots, trim back plants, deadhead flowers, plant plugs, water the plants, do crafts…and so much more.  He especially loves to be there when his other friends are there.  Saturdays are when alot of the team members put in their hours. This greenhouse employs young adults with disabilities.  They were established to do just this, isn’t that awesome!  I can not WAIT to have a tour of this beautiful operation.  Stay tuned because there will be a post dedicated to We Grow Dreams before Mothers Day.  Please keep them in mind for your gardening needs!
FRIENDSHIP

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Meet Sweet Molly…and her siblings.  WOW are we lucky to have them in our life. Their Mom Margie has become a dear friend.  Her kids and my kids just blend and we are blessed to have them in our life.
These amazing kids of hers run a beautiful Lemonade Stand in honor of their sister Molly.  The donations go to support Misorcordia, an agency that provides support programs and housing for people with disabilities.  They hold this annual event in the summer.  Stay tuned…it is an event you do not want to miss.
Research, Communication, Awareness, Involvement and Friendship all these words to describe this awesome Down Syndrome community.  Please join with us in the celebration of all people with a disability.  May everyone be accepted and loved the way God wanted it to be.
I am closing this post with a fantastic video

Winner of baby teething quilt is Brit!  Send me an email at tkdriscoll2000@yahoo.com with your address.  YAY for you!
GIVEAWAY!
This amazing artist from Leslie Allen Fine Art – Enjoy the View
 8×10 Print of her painting “Little Wishes By The Sea” it will be signed and titled on the back.
Directions are….You must share this post (there is a facebook button on the top of this post you click and it will share)!  We need to spread awareness and this post is a start!  Then leave a comment on how you will pay it forward.  How do you plan on making someones day!  Lets Rock March 21st out!