Happy Teacher Appreciation Week! Rachel has just five more days of high school and two of those are finals. It has been a journey for sure. In grade school, each year I would write a note to her classroom teacher […]
Conservatively, I estimate Rachel has had 45 IEP meetings. I just returned home from her last IEP meeting – almost 16 years to the day we had her first IEP meeting to discuss transition to preschool. Truly, it seems like […]
World Down Syndrome Day is recognized every year on March 21 (3-21) because simply stated, Down syndrome is created when a person has three copies of the 21st chromosome. There are celebrations, ceremonies and educational activities all around the world. […]
This month is Theatre in Our Schools month. In honor of this month, I’m reviving an old blog, Auditions: Paralyzed by Fear. Originally written in 2011, I talk about how Rachel became involved in theatre and her first audition paved […]
Back in September, I wrote “What Will Rachel Do Next Year?” Seemed like a smart way to communicate to everyone because it is THE question. I outlined her preferences and some of our options. I said we wanted to enjoy […]
Nineteen years ago today our world changed forever for this is the day that we learned our unborn daughter had Down syndrome. There is an old song based on the words of Psalmist that says “Hold on my child, joy […]
I have a guest blogger today, Katie Locke, MCD, CCC-SLP. A few month ago, Katie posted this on an Instagram picture of Rachel: “I wouldn’t be where I am today without Rachel. So proud of her.” She tells it better than […]
One year ago today, Rachel opened the first Kansas ABLE Savings Account. It was a BIG deal to us! Having advocated for the passage of ABLE for eight years and then three years after the federal law passed, Rachel had […]
Parents of individuals with disabilities have a lot to think about. One of the extras we get to think about and act on is the shameful use of individuals with Down syndrome and other disabilities as targets for humor. There […]
Day two of our best vacation ever. Originally published: June 19, 2012 Day 2 and we are off to Castaway Cay which is Disney’s private island. We ordered coffee from room service the night before. Room service is free except […]