WDSD: The Many Faces of Down Syndrome

Today is World Down Syndrome Day!  While all people with Down syndrome carry 3 copies of the 21st chromosome and share some facial features, they are all unique individuals just like everyone else.  They look like their family member and they have their on interests and strengths.  Today, I would like to share with you the community that I became a part of when my daughter, Ellie, was born with Down syndrome.

Ava is 10 years-old and loves reading, art, music, and dance.

In this picture, she is working on her Molly Brown project for her Colorado History class.

Chloe enjoys dancing, acting, and pretend play.

Hannah loves all things musical, especially dancing. She's being to love showing her independence.

Kyshon is 10 years-old

Kylie is 18 years-old and enjoys skiing, basketball, and swimming.  She is warm-hearted and kid and occasionally fresh!

Let's give a big smooch back to Miss Grace!  She loves dancing to music with beats, tennis, and swimming.  She has a great sense of humor and enjoys pranking her family.  She is currently learning  how to play guitar and is a voracious reader and good student.

(I asked her mom about some of Grace's pranks.  Ooh that girl is a cheeky little thang!)

Sydney is 13 years-old and loves gymnastics, dance lessons, and long walks on the beach.

Ruby is 7 years-old and loves bowling, playing with dogs, dancing, and ice cream!

Kennedy is 13 years-old and enjoys dancing, acting, modeling and shopping for shoes and purses.

Ty is 10 years-old.  He loves all sports in the Special Olympics, watching football - especially the Cowboys and Longhorns (As a fellow Texan here: "Hook 'Em")

Evie Grace loves books, Sesame Street, and Mickey Mouse.

Hailey is 11 years-old and loves to watch Barney on the iPad.

Hailey loves Disney World (especially the Princesses), all things Frozen, and Shopkins. She also loves her two older brothers to pieces.

Ellie is 8 years-old and full of sass!  She loves horseback riding, school (yes, she's and odd duck), Mickey Mouse, trains, dancing, and Nutella.  What she does not like - her glasses!

Julian is a 7 year- old who loves to read, write, and swim.  He is also a big fan of chocolate ice cream!

Kimber enjoys singing, dancing, and doing her own hair and makeup. 

Clara (pictured with her sister, Rowan) is 5 years-old and loves dance, listening to the Beatles, and all things Coco. Most of all, she loves to play with her twin sister!

Aasher, with his awesome yellow shoes, is 8 years-old and loves baseball, swimming, movies, his Daddy, and Disney World

Courtney is 23 years- old and loves cheer, music, drawing, her brothers and watching children. 

(Do you think Courtney would come and babysit Ellie Bear?)

Lila loves learning about animals!  She also enjoys reading, dancing, and singing.

Lexi enjoys writing, singing, dancing, and cooking (can she come over to my house???).  She also loves doing flips.

Dewey is 23 years-old and loves Minions, Trolls, swimming and running track and field.

Sammi is 11 years-old and is a big fan of basketball, YouTube, reading and being a good mom to her dolls.

Levi, pictured with his brother Adam, loves to read Pete the Cat, play with cats, and play outside.

Darya loves music, Barney, hot dogs (check out her awesome costume!), the beach, and hamming it up for an audience.

Check out that smile!   Camden is 5 years-old and loves the pool, basketball, and Peppa Pig

Emily is 8 years-old and enjoys gymnastics, dance, horseback riding, and Disneyland!

Alexander is 23 years-old and loves competitive swimming and the Special Olympics. He also enjoys listening to music, playing Call of Duty, and hanging out with friends.

Wyatt loves the beach and church.  He also enjoys running track, swimming, and playing with PlayMobil.

Summer is a 3 year-old who always has a smile on her face and always lights up a room.  She loves singing and dancing.

Berkeley is 12 years-old and loves cheerleading.

12/27/1958 - 12/14/2012

This blog post is in loving memory of my Aunt Peggy.  Peggy loved bowling, swimming, and John Denver.  She passed away just a few days before her 54th birthday in 2012.  She was a beloved daughter, sister, aunt, and great aunt.  Peggy, you are forever loved and forever missed.

For previous posts on WDSD:
3/21/2011 Will You "Let Us In"?

3/21/2012 World Down Syndrome Day

3/21/2013: World Down Syndrome Day: An Equal Opportunity for Designer Genes

3/21/2014 World Down Syndrome Day: Ellie Video

3/21/2015 World Down Syndrome Day: A Celebration

3/21/2017 World Down Syndrome Day: What to Say

Have you seen my other blog?  Check out Anna's Bookshelf to learn about favorite authors, new releases, and books I'm reading.  I also have a facebook page so we can discuss all the books and authors we love!

World Down Syndrome Day 2017: what to say

I struggle with this post, mainly because I have no idea what to write.  I feel like I have said everything in previous years' posts.  When Ellie was younger, Down syndrome was all I could think about.  All I could worry about.  Today, it isn't in the forefront of my mind.  It is just an after thought of "oh yeah, she has an extra chromosome.  She has Down syndrome".  Ds is sort of in the back of my mind when I think about her developmental delay (mainly lack of speech) and her future as an adult who will want to be as independent as possible, but that is it.  Her non-Ds related health issues and her naughty behaviors are what take up most of my worries.  Down syndrome isn't as scary as I thought it was years ago.  It isn't the end of the world.  It isn't all consuming.  It just is. Ellie is doing everything that a typical kid would do, but at a younger developmental age.  She is progressing (well aside from potty training and social behavior). She is just like any other other kid.  So to all your new parents, do not be afraid.  Your child is a unique being who will bring great job to your lives.  The Down syndrome is just a small, non-scary part of them.  Ds does not define who your child is.





Previous WDSD posts:

World Down Syndrome Day: a celebration 2015

World Down Syndrome Day: Ellie Video 2014

World Down Syndrome Day: an equal opportunity gene 2013

World Down Syndrome Day 3:21 2012

3.21 World Down Syndrome Day 2011







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World Down Syndrome Day 2015 : a celebration

This little post will be short and sweet as I believe pictures speak louder than words.  This brief slide show is in honor of individuals with Down syndrome as we celebrate World Down Syndrome Day this upcoming March 21, 2015, but is also really for my daughter Ellie Marie.

Growing up, I knew a tiny bit about Down syndrome as my Aunt Peggy had Ds.  Now, having my own child with Down syndrome, I am learning new things every day - as a mother in general as well as by navigating the special needs world.  Our children are unique individuals who will become contributing members of society.  Make no doubt about it.  While today we promote Down syndrome awareness, I have learned through this whole parenting thing, that while Ellie rocks an extra chromosome, the syndrome is not who she is nor does it define her.  Ellie is Ellie and as a society, we need to be see the value of and accept all individuals of all abilities in their awesome uniqueness.




For those who just learned that your baby may have Down syndrome . . .



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