May 1 is coming. May 1 is coming.

Here is a sneak peek of my surprise.

Smiling from Ear to Ear

I am alittle in shock right now but I just had to share that I have offically one my FIRST ever item online. I participated in a Retweet to Win contest held by Disney Living on twitter. Now what do I do with this fabulous gift set?

Carrie with Children: Down Syndrome: A Mom’s Response to Wonkette & Jack Stuef

I found this post on Facebook through Melissa at Life as a Sippy Cup Mom. The emotions I feel right now are overwhelming. I can not believe a grown man your poke fun to a 3 year old boy who had no controll over who he was born to or what he was born with. It is people like this that make me want to shelter my children for ever. I just hope I raise my girls to accept everyone, even Mr. Steuf, for who and what they are.

Today the political blog, Wonkette poked fun at it being Sarah Palin’s son’s birthday. And I bet you’re thinking it had to do with politics… nope. Palin’s son Trig has Down syndrome. In addition to many demeaning and terrible statements, “writer” (and I use that word lightly) Jack Stuef said this in his “story” -

"What’s he dreaming about? Nothing. He’s retarded."

As the parent of a child with Down syndrome, consider me sad, angry and confused. I believe in free speech, but this just goes too far. This is much bigger than politics….this is a full on attack to a mother and her child. I feel there is no purpose to his “article” except causing harm to others…and ultimately cause a storm of site visits and recognition.

I know there will be times in my daughter’s future where we will face individuals who find it funny and “cool” to make fun of others. I plan on crossing the bridge as I get to it… and for now, I will fight in defending others who are attacked over their disability.

As I’ve said many times before, my daughter (and every child with Down syndrome) is just like any other child – she eats, she sleeps, laughs, plays and cries..she just has an extra chromosome.

I encourage you to join me in signing the petition at Change.org asking Wonkette to apologize for mocking Down syndrome. Wonkette needs to be held accountable for their actions. I hope their advertisers are aware that their dollars are going to a site that trivializes disabilities.


UPDATE: Apparently, the domain www.JackStuef.com was available for purchase this evening and from what I’ve read online, someone bought it and redirected it to the National Down Syndrome Society’s donation page. Kudos to the smart person who came up with that idea!



(Editor note: To be fair, I provided a link to this story. It hurts me to think that I’m helping their cause in providing them with more site hits.)

Cassie note: Jack Stuef's response to the uproar he created was this:

UPDATE: I regret this post and using the word “retarded” in a reference to Sarah Palin’s child. It’s not nice, and is not necessary, but I take responsibility for writing it. For those who came and are offended by this post: I’m sorry, of course. But I stand by my criticism of Sarah Palin using her child as a political prop.



–Jack Stuef

I would also like to make sure you check out the post abd even look at some of the pokes he made through pictures. To attack someone's child, whether their mother is a political person or Jane Smith on the street, is complete off gaurd!

April is Autism Awareness Month

I follow and read a blog called Life of a Sippy Cup Mom. Melissa is the writter behind the blog. She has actually inspired me alittle more on my secret project that I am hoping to launch in May. Today she had a guest post since it is Autism Awareness month. During my time in school I took a couple classes that focused on child developement and of course we covered autism. I also work along sinde some great vendors who have been affected by autism and have friends who too are along in this life long journey. Recently in the Parade Magazine there are a great artical about "lost generation" coming of age. It really opened my eyes to the life long struggles not only the kids have but the parents as well. Please take a moment to read this post and feel free to Check out Melissa at Life as a Sippy Cup Mom.

Autism is a marathon, not a sprint

Recently, my four-year-old autistic son, Billy, was in a foot race at his school. It was at the annual spring festival, and there was a race for each age group, including pre-Kindergarten, Billy’s group.

We had been practicing “racing” for weeks. I’d shout, “Ready, set, GO!” in the back yard and we’d run from one fence to the other. During his ABA therapy, Billy would race this therapist, Ms. Elyse and sometimes, I would race Billy; sometimes Ms. Elyse and I would race each other. We talked non-stop about the race.

I still wasn’t sure how it was going to work out. Despite all our rehearsal, whenever he hears “Go!” Billy is just as likely to run towards the closest available toy as he is to run towards the finish line. As usual, I debated with myself: about whether introducing him to the idea of competition at this stage was even healthy; about whether the crowds would upset him; about whether he might actually fall and get hurt.

I was ready to pull out of the whole thing. Then I got a package in the mail.

When I opened it, I pulled out a trophy. It was about 18 inches tall and engraved with Billy’s name, the date of the race, and the name of his school.

My mom and dad.

I called them, and sure enough, my mom owned up. “I wanted Billy to know,” she said, “that no matter what, he’s a winner.”

And she was right. Plus, I couldn’t back out now that they had invested in what Billy lovingly referred to as “The Statue of Liberty.”

Race day dawned bright and beautiful, and we arrived at the starting line with several minutes to spare. Several of Billy’s friends turned up, including one beautiful girl who marched right up to him and grabbed his hand in hers, as though she sensed he needed a little reassurance.

As we had practiced, Dave stood with Billy at the starting line, and Willow, his two-year-old sister, and I went to the finish. When a volunteer tried to move me out of the way, I explained that my autistic son was planning to run toward me, and if I wasn’t standing there, he was very likely to head for that little circle of unattended ponies (the pony rides hadn’t started yet). I was allowed to stay.

The boys lined up (girls raced separately). When their little arms and legs started pumping, I couldn’t believe how excited I was. I was screaming and crying and shouting for Billy.

Even from a distance, I could see he was beaming with happiness. He was looking from side to side at the crowds lining the race path. Crowds. That was something we hadn’t worked into rehearsal.

Rather than run flat-out, he kind of loped along, half-galloping, watching the other kids run in front of him. He likes to chase.

They all crossed the finish line in front of him, and I could see Billy laughing with joy. He was happy for them. And he was inches from the finish line.

And then he turned around and headed the other direction.

He was out there on his own, the race was over for everyone else, and he was running the wrong way. I started shouting for him: “Billy, this way! Come this way, baby!”

At that moment, I just wanted him to finish. The other racers in his group were already getting their trophies and medals, and the older kids were already lining up for the next race, but I so wanted Billy to cross that finish line.

Then something beautiful happened. Everyone started joining in. On both sides of the race path, kids and adults were shouting, “Come on, Billy! This way!” And waving him toward the finish line.

Laughing, he turned around. He saw me and Willow. And he started running toward us. As he crossed the finish line and leaped into my arms, there were cheers all around us.

Of course, everyone was proud of the kids who ran the fastest. I would never want to take away from their winning moments.

But at the moment Billy crossed that finish line, we all felt like winners.

Maybe you want to do something for Autism Awareness Month this April. Even better, maybe you’re still interested in helping autistic people, and the people who love them, on May 1 and beyond.

Cheer for them. Your support means the world. Step forward and offer a helping hand to the autistic people in your community. If “it takes a village to raise a child,” it takes a big, brave, new world to raise one with special needs. And that world will be a more beautiful, richer place for embracing all its unique children and adults.

Our sprint may be over, but the marathon has just begun.


Amanda Broadfoot is a freelance writer, wife and mother of two who blogs about the wildly beautiful life on the spectrum at http://www.LifeIsASpectrum.com.

Thoughts

With the tough times at Dave's jobs, there are few things that we get to do. Which in turn means there are very few things we can donate too. I have for many years wanted to get a personalized license plate back, but this time I want a special plate. I want an organ donation plate which means the fee of the specialty plate will go towards MO Organ Donor Program. I have thought about it for years what my plate will say and I want it to say, 4 NRP. But right now it just isn't in the budget, but I know one day I will get that plate. Besides taking our things we don't need or use anymore to Goodwill, there are two things I make sure we can muscle $5- 10 for for the past two years. I would like to speak about them both here.

The March of Dimes

I talked before about someone that I met online through my mommy forum Trish here. To recap, she was due 5 days before I was due with Caelyn. She had Robbie at 26 weeks. Through this past year, they have had many ups and downs, good times and great battles. She and her husband David are very strong people and they love their little miracle with all their heart. This is what Trish has to say on her March of Dimes donation page.

As the mother of a preemie, particularly one as early as Robbie was, I know far
too well the power of research.
When I was 26 weeks pregnant (not even into
my third trimester yet) I was suddenly stricken with what I thought was terribly
heartburn. Two days later, I was diagnosed with severe preeclampsia. The
"heartburn" turned out to be my liver swelling. My blood pressure was
dangerously high, my body was filling will fluid that threatened to shut down my
organs and, without Robbie's early birth, would have killed us both.
Preeeclampsia is one of the oldest recorded conditions, yet we still don't
have a cure. Organizations like the March of Dimes are dedicated to changing
that, and in the mean time, trying to save the babies who come too early because
of it and other pregnancy complications.
I would like to shake the hands of
every researcher who has fought to save our children. Since that doesn't appear
to be an option, I will instead focus my efforts on supporting those who hope to
eliminate prematurity and infant death.
I hope that you will join me in my
mission, either with a monetary donation of your own, or simply by joining me in
the walk for awareness.
--Trish
Proud mother of a boy who defines the
adage "Good things come in small packages."
The mission of March of Dimes is
to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth,
and infant mortality.

St. Baldrick's

This foundation was introduced to me by someone I also met through my mommy forum, Kierstin. Her neighbor lost a child, Charlie, to cancer. Here is a little about Charlie.

Charlie was diagnosed on April 19, 2004 with a very aggressive form of pediatric
cancer, neuroblastoma. He endured chemotherapy, a stem cell transplant, and
radiation and was cancer free in January of 2005. He unfortunately relapsed on
his first day of 2nd grade in 2005. He lost his battle on September 19, 2006.He
was the most courageous little boy and has taught many of us more than we could
have ever taught him. He always wore a smile even though he endured so much pain.
He never gave up his will to live. Unfortunately, neuroblastoma is too sneaky
and aggressive and that is why it is so very important to rally and raise money
in his memory. So, our team, Charlie's Angels, will be participating once again
this year to continue to bring awareness in Charlie's memory as well as all the
other children fighting this dreadful disease. Please help us find a cure!

Not only does Kierstin's husband Brian shave his head, but Charlie's Daddy and sister do as well. But since becoming aware of this foundation I have had a cousin who's son was diagnosed with lymphoma and my dear friend Crystal from college's nephew, Cameron has been battling neuroblastoma (just like Charlie).





So after reading this, please hug your healthy kids. Give them kisses and let them eat candy for breakfast. Because somewhere very close to you, there might be a little boy or girl who has struggled or is struggling just to stay healthy. With out your kindness and generosity their struggles would not be heard and fought for.

My thoughts

Okay, this is just something I wanted to say out loud and get thoughts out. I follow a couple of blogs of wonderful ladies who have had a bumpy road in the child department. And I think they all are the most amazing women I have met in a long time. I admire their strength (even though they sometimes don't think they are strong) and I think they are truly angels for going through their battles in stride.

One particular girl's name is Jenn. I have been blessed to meet her in real life (IRL) and have lunch with this amazing person. After reading her blog for a while, I felt like I knew her from how open she was on her blog. I tried to put myself in her shoes, but honestly I can say I understand but I don't. I have never been there. And then her Mother's Day post came about. I was instantly saddened. By no means was it an intentional post to make anyone feel bad (I am sure of that), she just needed to vent, which alot of us bloggers do. But here I thought I understood and was compassionate to this person who I like to call my friend and on one of her hardest days I didn't reach out other than a virtual flower bouquet on facebook. And I want to say I am sorry.

I never took the time to step back and think about the women in my life (new and old) who have wanted children that never got to have that. Or the ones that have chosen to take different paths to reach the goal of parenthood. I can think of many that either never were able to have their own children or adopted ones because they were not able to conceive. So to all of you Happy Late Mother's Day. Whether you are mommies to dogs, cats, fish, or angels I hope you all had a great day enjoying life. If you haven't yet gotten to be a mom yet, I know you will make great parents when the time has come, Jen and Jennie.

So on that note, Father's Day is just around the corner, don't forget those men who also want to be daddies.

P.S. to my parent's neighbors who just adopted a baby boy (which my mom and I would love to get to meet soon) born just 3 wks ago.

P.P.S Jennifer DeVos, Happy Mother's Day to you!