Tuesday, September 30, 2008

Raising Awareness One Post At A Time......




"An extra little Chromosome thats all it is, you see. Where all of you were born with 2, my angel was blessed with 3."

October is a very special month in our family. Not only is it the month of ghosts, goblins, and candy. It's the month where the world becomes alive with beautiful colors, the sound of leaves crunching under your feet, the smell of homemade soups on a Sunday afternoon. All of these things are the signs of October around our house.

But perhaps the thing that I love the most about October is the fact that we welcomed our beautiful little blessing into our lives. The one that runs around the house each day tearing things apart, but yet this same little one reminds me to live each moment as if it were my last. We are blessed that Rhett was born in October, because you see, October is Down syndrome Awareness Month. How cool is it that Rhett was born in the same month where we raise awareness about his little extra chromosome?

To do our part to raise awareness, we will be blogging each and every day throughout the whole month of October. Yes, each day you will all get to know a little more about how much an extra chromosome has touched our lives. Oh, and you can bet there will be lots and lots of pictures.

Rhett has brought our family closer than we ever thought possible. He has made Andy and I better parents, and he has taught our other children how to love unconditionally. What more could a person want or need?

Who would have known that such an amazing spirit could touch so many lives all at once, and that, is exactly what he has done. He has touched people from all over the world. So let's start today off by leaving a comment and saying "Hi." Tell us how you found us, after all, if you are reading this blog, you have been touched by someone who has Down syndrome.

May all of you feel as blessed and as loved as we do.

I will leave you with one of my favorite quotes of all time......

"If you live to be 100, I want to live to be 100 minus 1 day, so I never have to live without you." -Winnie The Pooh

For more 31 for 21 posts, click here

15 comments:

Anonymous said...

I think I found you via Parker's blog; I'm interested in families living with kids with special needs, as my youngest daughter is missing a piece of a chromosome... if only hers and Rhett's were the same ones, maybe they could share!?

Love reading here, and seeing how you rise to every challenge, and revel in every success!

You are absolutely a daily read.

bella, mom of 7

Christina M said...

ooo what a great Idea, i am going to have to steal this one for a post, okidoki?

Christina from Sweden, living in Austria. Mom to Prince Vince with DS. Have no clue how I found you :) I am guessing linked via Always Chaos? Somehow via Rebeccas blosg/creations.

if you could also send me an email asap on cmolin77@hotmail.com that would be great. I want to talk to you about something ;-)

COOLWHIP said...

through the UDSF... and i am taking the challenge, for the month of Oct. 1 post a day on why DS makes me happy.
Kelli

Becca B said...

Our blessing with an extra chromosome was born just one month after Rhett came into the world. I found your blog through the yahoo emailing group, and then again through facebook. I'm looking forward to reading your posts all month. I certainly enjoyed this one! Thank you! (I know we still need to get together. When are you guys going to start staying indoors?)
-Rebecca

Becca B said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Ally in Wonderland said...

Hi!!
I found you guys through Rachel Colemans ST! blog, so I'm a new reader. Yes, I did take a few days to go back and read from the beginning ;)
How has the extra chromosome touched my life? Well, I graduate in 7 months and 8 days with a degree in Special Education, adapted track. You could say that this is totally "my world" and I love every minute of it. Whats most inspiring is the fact that you two are INVOLVED parents who love your children, keep it up when Rhett gets to school and you will have grateful teachers!

Just Me said...

Hello, my loves!
First- I think I found your blog off a KSL comment board forever ago.
Second- I don't personally know anyone with DS. But I grew up with a mother who worked at East High for years with the special needs kids and now works for the county is Kansas. So in a way, I have been around a variety of special needs souls my entire life. And my aunt has Cerebral Palsy.

Anonymous said...

I found you from MWP, which you never come back to anymore!

T

Stephanie Ellinger said...

I found you through the Heart Hero's Website that Nathan is also on.

We appreciate everything you write!

Anonymous said...

Hi Pam, I don't know how I found your blog, but I read it as often as I can...you are a inspiration not only as a mother, but as a advocate for each of your children. From you I have learned to speak my feelings and to advocate more even strongly for my children. Thank you for your example in delighting in small every day things,that I often take for granted. Toni

jkribbit said...

I found you guys from Jodie's (Tyler) blog. I have met Rhett in person, but still haven't met any of the other Birds! Pam, we need to remedy that when you're feeling better!! (So, get better!!!) :)

rylie's mom said...

Don't remember how I found your blog, but I've been lurking for a while! Just wanted to say Hi!

Rhett is such a cutie!

MichelleH said...

Hello Birds! As you know, I was directed to you by Rebecca earlier this year and am so glad I found you! Although we only got to have our Nate here on Earth with us for just under three short years, we continue to live vicariously through the rest of you and hope to continue to spread the joy of these incredible individuals with DS. Thank you for sharing your beautiful family with all of us.

Mia said...

I found your blog through Prince Vince in Austria and I was touched by your precious little fighter Rhett.

I'm myself a mom to a little boy a genetic syndrome called Noonan syndrome (NS). I've found that DS is in many ways similar to NS and because of that I follow quite a few DS blogs. Not one Noonan blog so far :(.

I read your blog also because of Rhetts medical issues, my son has gone through a lot too, we spent his first 9 months in the hospital and he's had 6 surgeries and anesthesia 8 times so far. The most recent procedure was a spine and skull MRI during anesthesia earlier this week at Helsinki Children's Hospital.

Similarities has been very important to me since my son was born and the future seemed like a big gaping whole. Similarity to others has kept me grounded and given me great hope for my sons future.

Mia, mom to Victor 18 months (NS)
Aland Islands, Finland

Anonymous said...

I don't remember how I first found your blog. I have been lurking (and praying) for a long time. Your family is precious. Thanks for letting us all share in the joy that is sweet Rhett. Beth