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!

Wordless Wednesday

Let me finally introduce to you.

We have a new family pet. Her name is Princess Belle VII or Belle for short (the Princess Belle is her AKC registered name). She was born Oct 2, 2010. We got her on Feb 6, 2011. She is a doll and we love her. She is stubborn just like the 4 humans that live in this house so I think she fits in perfectly. She was pretty easy to potty train. She loves to be in the sun and outside with the girls but also loves a good nap. I think she favors Caelyn and she bites Dave's ankles  when he runs and players with her (which I think is hilarious). She is a mommy's girl. We take her to puppy school every Sunday to learn how to train her (and the kids, just kidding, but how to help the kids be her master and not equal. My only complaint is I now share the bed with two snoring bodies instead of just one.

It has been CRAZY!!

It has been nuts at the Wasem house. Caelyn (who Dave and I are calling her CJ more and more) has had some tummy issues that we have had to get  taken care of (I swear I thought last year was the year of the tummy/butt in our house). But she is on the road to recovery and only needs to take some medicine to help resolve the issue. We did keep it hushed because well frankly we were really scared and didn't know what was going to happen. But the short story of it all is she has a sore within her colon that isn't healing correctly and we have to give her medicine to help it heal. It should take a month and we are half way through it. There has been GREAT improvement already. =) 

Chloe is getting closer and closer to her big dance recital. I have to say I am very excited. She really does love dance even if it is a struggle to get her dressed on some days to get to class. She loves her teacher Ms. Ann and of course likes her friends (especially Megan who some times she asks to dress like and have her hair like her ~ as you can see they are dressed alike in the above picture).

The company I work for is expanding into the party business, in other words we are trying to reach out to help with birthday parties, bridal showers, or baby showers. And like anything that is just starting out we are still learning. The hopes is to offer 2 different packages, Design concept, Design concept and Execution, and Design, Execution, and coordination. Well, this past weekend I was in Wordon IL, (AKA Edwardsville) to help set up a first birthday party. Not only did I help with the coordination and set up, I made some of the items as well (banner, bib, hat, photo holders, photo booth props, centerpieces to name a few). Also, we got some head shots and team photos for work. I have to say the girls that did the hair and make-up as well as the photographer did a great job in making me look awesome.

I would like to apologize for the quality of some photos. They were taken from my phone. I have misplaced my camera charger so I am working with what I have. Also I FINALLY have the last 2 days of pictures from our Disney vacation that I will be adding to the blog. Also, my super secret project is moving right along. I am hoping to be able to announce it on May 1. Until then you will have to wait. =)

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.

Don't I look pretty

I finally have a picture that is site worthy for work. Thank you to April Shafer and Cindy McCalla for doing my hair and make-up (as well as all the other girls) for the photo shoot done by Stephanie Zettl of Zettl Photography!