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Friday, October 31, 2008

One Last Thought...and a Surprise Giveaway

One last post about "31 for 21" - and thanks Tricia for putting this together again (I'm glad that Sir Baby stayed put and didn't make a surprise appearance! Update: Sir Baby did indeed make an appearance on Halloween! Congrats Tricia!) There were almost 160 bloggers participating this time - wow! So many new bloggers that I haven't even had the chance to go visit yet...

It's been fun participating again, but man it's hard posting every day! I don't know how some of you bloggers do it - post every day just because - and I know there are a lot of you out there who do this all the time.

So my last thought, well it's not really mine - it comes from the National Down Syndrome Congress and their More Alike Than Different campaign. Four self-advocates appear in this video showing how they are "more alike than different." While there are obvious differences for those with Down syndrome (they have a whole extra chromosome!) there are a lot of ways they are the same as their typical peers too; and I think this video does a great job of showcasing that point.

Now for the surprise giveaway! When I attended the National Down Syndrome Congress not only was I fortunate enough to meet Jennifer Graf Groneberg and get an autographed copy of her book Road Map To Holland, but I was also able to get two extra autographed copies! So to end National Down Syndrome Awareness Month I'm giving these 2 copies away! Plus I'm going to give away a copy of Gifts. That one isn't autographed, but I guess I could sign my story if you really wanted! :)

So how do you win a copy of one of these books? Leave a comment telling me:
a) If you've read either of these books yet; and
b) If you're planning on keeping the book for yourself, or giving it to someone else

Winners will be announced sometime next week - when I recover from "31 for 21" and the Bloggy Giveaway Carnival!

Get It Down; 31 for 21

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32 comments:

Anonymous said...

I read Jennifer's book -- and although our stories are completely different -- many of her shared feelings took me back to the place of "our beginning" -- the place where Gabe came into our lives. I have not read "Gifts" and I hope to someday do so.

Lianna :)

Anonymous said...

I forgot to say: HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!

Me said...

I have read Gifts, and have my own copy, but I have yet to read Roadmap to Holland and I would LOVE my own copy! If I won it I would keep it!!!

Mom24 said...

I have read Roadmap to Holland, and I absolutely loved it. I would love to win a copy to keep...until I knew someone personally who was in the position to need it more than I do.

Anonymous said...

How exciting that you were able to meet her! I have a copy of Gifts but have not read Jennifer's book.

Anne said...

I haven't read her book yet, but do follow her blog.

Chris said...

I have read and own both, but I would welcome a chance to win either. I would either give them to the genetic counselor to me that I could go to Kansas to abort my 34 week old fetus when the doctor's suspected he had a form of dwarfism.

More likely I would keep them on hand to give to a new or expectant mom. Two people this week asked if they could give my name and number to someone they knew who was having a baby with Ds.

Happy Halloween!

Katie said...

This is a great giveaway! I have not read either book and if I win, I would give it to our friends who just (as in 3 weeks ago) adopted a baby girl with DS....she's their very first child!

And thanks for entering my knitted hat giveaway! I hope you'll visit again soon!

Katie @ Bring on the Lloyds...

Bailey's Leaf said...

I've not read either one of the books and would keep them for myself! I would share the knowledge, though!

Thank you!

Amy said...

Congrats on completing 31 for 21!

I haven't read either of them but I would love to read Roadmap to Holland and add it to my collection!

Unknown said...

I just finished Roadmap to Holland and LOVED it! If I won that book I would give it away. I haven't read Gifts, but have been wanting to.

Karen said...

Michelle, that's awesome! You have the best adventures. I've read Roadmap to Holland this summer, great book. Congrats on meeting the author.

Anonymous said...

Haven't read both!! I want, I want, I want! :) (And I'm keeping EM!)

Cheche
Philippines

Sue said...

Hope you had a great halloween. I'd read them - Roadmap to Holland looks like a very inspiring book. Then I'd give them to the son of my Mom's friend - they have a son with DS.

rickismom said...

I have not read either of these, and would love (LOVE) to read either. (If I won you could sent in care of my mom, who has a US address...)
I have a library on special needs here in my house, which English speakers in this area of Israel have access to. The books are either my personal books , or donated ones (which are few and far between).

Tammy and Parker said...

Michelle,

Parker pulled your name out of the back of his dump truck for the quilt today!

Shoot me an email with your addy and I'll see if I can get it sent out to you before his surgery on Friday!

Christina M said...

I would LOVE LOVE LOVE to read it, I cant find it over here!

Anonymous said...

I've always wanted Gifts to look at with my daughter! I've only read excerpts from Jen's book. You were very fortunate to have met her! It's been great doing 21 for 31!

Ann of the Incredible Gift said...

I have not read either book, but particularly want to read Gifts. If I won, I would keep the copy for myself.

I've not had the inclination lately to go book shopping, but wondered after reading comments by others if a copy of Gifts might be a suitable present to each Margret's sisters to thank them for all their help in the traumatic weeks of July. I will, eventually, get a copy, but I don't know when.

Thanks for offering an chance to win one.

camille said...

I haven't read the book but really want to - for now I'd probably keep it but if I met someone else who could benefit, I'd pass it on.

Anonymous said...

Michelle, it was one of the best parts of the conference, meeting you and your family. And for your readers here, I'll share a secret: you (and your entire family!) are even more kind, and wonderful, and beautiful in person!

So there seems to be a lot of people in this drawing! Let me add in another book and I'll send it out from my house, just give me the address of the winner?

xo

Killlashandra said...

That's so great you got a chance to meet Jennifer. I've exchanged email with her and she really seems like one of the nicest people I've ever met, well, virtually that is. I still haven't read her book yet and I've been reading her blog as long as I've been reading yours! Gee, a year now I think. ;)

Anonymous said...

I have read "Gifts" which I was able to check out from a local disabilities library. My youngest son is 2 and has DS so I could really relate to all the writers in "Gifts". I would love to have a copy of "Roadmap to Holland". I would read it myself and then donate it to the disabilities library since they do not have a copy yet to share with others. Thanks for giving all of us an opportunity to win!

Laura said...

Am I too late to join the giveaway? I hope not!!
I have never read either of the books you mentioned. We have an almost 2 yr old daughter with Downs, but just now discovering all you blogger moms with Downs children. I would love to have a copy of this book!! It sounds wonderful!

J said...

I have not yet read Roadmap to Holland & would LOVE a copy! I have read Gifts & absolutely loved it!

Anonymous said...

I have not read Roadmap to Holland or Gifts. I do have a copy of Gifts and occasionally try to read it. For some reason, I get teary every time I read personal stories about Down Syncrome. To divert the teariness that I am still prone to, I focus my reading on learning how to assist my 4 year old son, Kaiden, with his learning (and more recently sleeping). I am so excited that he finally said his name yesterday, or said "Ka-en". I would love to receive a copy of Roadmap to Holland.

LauraJ said...

I would love to win this book if it's possible!

Anonymous said...

I have not read either. But I do follow her blog. I would love to have the copy of "Gifts". My daughter is 6 and amazing! But sometimes it's the other stuff that gets you bogged down, school districts, IEP's and Tefra. Hearing inspiring stories can help keep you focused on what's important. I would keep the book long enough to read it, then pass it along to a new family in our alliance that is just beginning their journey.

Jeanette said...

I have read Gifts and LOVED it. I've read the story Holland, but no the book. I work with new Parents as they receive the diagnosis of DS. I would read Holland and then give it to a new family. Gifts would be the same because sharing our stories is teh BEST thing we can do for others who are just starting this journey.

Karen Rock said...

I hadn't heard of either book until I heard about it on a friend's blog. Her daughter and mine both have Charge Syndrome so we very much identify with the original Holland story. She said the book is terrific so I would keep it and read it.

Karen

Anonymous said...

I have actually read short passages about her book and am so excited to see this giveaway! I will be honest - if I was to win I would keep the book for myself (read it) and keep it in my school library for parents to check out if they want. I work with special education students.

Myskis21@gmail.com

Rita Andrews said...

I have read several stories in the Gifts book but have never read the Roadmap to Holland..I would love to have a copy and read it...then it would be a pleasure to give it away to someone new.

Rita
Proud momma to 3 angels with DS