It's Been How Many Years?

Welcome to the first day of October and the first day of the 31 for 21 blog challenge: Blogging every day in Oct for National Down Syndrome Awareness Month!

Long time readers of my blog may remember a book that featured a collection of essays (including one of mine) called Gifts: Mothers Reflect on how Children With Down Syndrome Enrich Their Lives

Do you know how many years ago that was? Can you believe it's been ten years since that book was first published?

Not only is this the 10th Annual 31 for 21 Blog Challenge (it's not too late to go sign up at that link if you'd like to join us!), it was also my 10 year 'blogiversary' back in March, and this November is the 10th anniversary of that book being published!

In honor of the 10th anniversary of the publication of Gifts a special commemorative book is being published. This book features 10 new stories as well as a "where are they now" update on most of the children featured in the first book.

Preorders are now available and on sale this month at Woodbine House.

Woodbine House also has all books related to Down syndrome for 30% off during the month of October.

I'm thinking the next book on my list will probably be The Down Syndrome Transition Handbook - because we are inching ever closer to that milestone and I know it will be here before I'm ready for it!

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Day 1 Giveaway: Gifts

The first of the 21 Days of Giveaways is a book that is near and dear to my heart.

In 2006 (goodness has it been 6 yrs already?!) I had the opportunity to submit a story for the book Gifts: Mothers Reflect on how Children with Down Syndrome Enrich Their Lives. It is a compilation of stories mothers submitted on the topics pertaining to Gifts Of: Respect, Strength, Delight, Perspective, and Love.

My story, Birthday Guilt, is in the Gift of Love section and it based on this post I wrote as Kayla's 3rd birthday was approaching.

Each story is accompanied by a black and white photo of the subject of that story. A photo slideshow was made to incorporate all the photographs and is set to a song with such beautiful lyrics. (How could anyone ever tell you, you are anything less than beautiful... by Libby Roderick) Kayla's picture shows up at :44.


I'm pretty sure I would have appreciated having this book after Kayla was born; it would have been a nice resource for support...just to put a human facet on the diagnosis to counter all the medical information you're given. It would have been comforting to read all these different stories on love and acceptance and the journey that families were on. I'm sure it would have made me feel less alone.

This book was so successful that Gifts: Volume II was written. This second book includes stories written by family members, friends, and professionals. The chapters are based on Acceptance, Courage, Friendship, Awareness, and Joy.

There will be 2 winners for this drawing - one for each book.

This is my first time using Rafflecopter.com for the giveaways, so crossing my fingers that I've got this figured this out!

After you leave a comment please click on the +1 Do It button on the Rafflecopter Widget (just below) for your entry to be counted. I'm keeping track of all entries on the Rafflecopter site. If you select the option to Tweet about it, once you click on that just click on the Twitter logo and it will automatically pop up with the pre-written Tweet to send.

(Refer back to 21 Days of Giveaways throughout the month to see all of the giveaways.)

a Rafflecopter giveaway
 
 

Remember Gifts?

Remember the book Gifts: Mothers Reflect on how Children with Down Syndrome Enrich Their Lives that I submitted my story to?

The book has won 2 awards! The 2008 National Parenting Publications Awards (NAPPA): Gold Award and the 2008 Mom's Choice Awards: Silver Recipient, Special & Exceptional Needs. Very exciting news!

Gifts Volume II is now accepting stories for publication. Gifts Volume II will include stories that offer other perspectives and experiences. We are especially interested in stories about school-age children, adolescents, and adults. While mothers’ stories in these categories will be considered for inclusion, the collection will emphasize stories written by other family members, friends, and professionals. The deadline for submitting a story is Sep 1, 2008.

Woodbine House is sponsoring a photo contest for the cover of Gifts Volume II. Deadline to submit photos is Oct 15, 2008. I'm trying to decide which photo, out of the hundreds I have of Kayla, to submit!

Speaking of photo contests...every year the National Down Syndrome Society holds a photo contest for the NYC Buddy Walk. Chosen photos are made into a video slide show which is shown on the big screen in Times Square. Deadline to submit photos is July 18. Again - I'm trying to narrow my choices down to submit an entry for this too; at least we can send 3 photos in!

Where To Start?!

There is so much going on today I'm not sure where to start, or if I should put everything in one post, or do separate posts. Oh what the heck - I'll just throw everything together in this post!

First things first: Yes we are home from the ear tube surgery! Her appt was at 8AM which meant we had to be there at 7. I felt like I packed a suitcase for this! We brought Kayla in her pjs since she had to get up at 6 (and just change in to the hospital gown when we got there), so I had her change of clothes, crayons, paper, book for her and me, a snack for her for afterwards, her cup, her medicine - and then I forgot the paper with the doctor's orders! So they just switched the boy who was after her to go first while they waited to get the "doctor's orders" from the doctor himself. Thank goodness this didn't delay us too much! She did fine - she was a pill coming out of it though and said "NO!" to anything I tried offering her. She was a grump! She only took two sips of juice which surprised me, once we got back to our cubicle she did eat her cereal though. Thanks for all the prayers!

Next thing is of course the drawing! I know you've all been waiting for me to pick the winners! Yes I said winners...plural! Jennifer from Pinwheels was gracious enough to offer up a copy that she had for this drawing. That's not all though. I was overwhelmed with the amount of responses that I wish I could give each and every one of you a copy! I do have three copies of this book and since there was such an interest in it I've decided to give all 3 copies away! I've been wondering what to do with my copies and figured since it is World Down Syndrome day after all, this would be the perfect opportunity to share these books! So yes, I drew FOUR names; ok technically Kayla drew the names (so if you didn't win you can blame her!) And I caught it all on video so you can see it happening. Here are the winners:

Make video montages at onetruemedia.com

For those of you who really want to read the book I have some news about it. It will be in Barnes & Nobles, not sure when though - sometime this summer maybe. If you don't want to wait that long you can preorder it through the Gifts website (just click "ORDER NOW") and orders will be sent in MAY! Plus it's on sale now!

One more thing - there will be a Gifts II and submissions are now being accepted. They are looking for stories about individuals with Down syndrome written by a wide variety of individuals including family members, friends, and professionals. For more information on how to submit your story click here.

This brings me to the meaning of today. As I mentioned previously, Down Syndrome International named this World Down Syndrome Day with the theme of "Celebrating Diversity."

I think about all the people I wouldn't have met if Kayla didn't have that extra 3rd chromosome on the 21st pair. The guy who helped me when I was transferring planes (and Joe wasn't with us). He helped me with my luggage as I was getting Kayla in the stroller. He told me he has a 7 yr old daughter with Down syndrome at home waiting for him. The lady at our base library who approached me after story time to say hi to Kayla and tell me she reminded her of her own daughter who had Ds, but passed away at a young age due to a heart condition. The colonel at the Community Center who had to show me the picture of his granddaughter. The manager at Applebees who had to come over and say hi to us and tell us about his sister, and then he sent us free desserts. And so many people we've yet to meet.

Thank you to all of you who read my blog the first time, but didn't turn away, or were frightened off by the thought of me being a mom to a little girl with Down syndrome. Thank you for looking past that and seeing we have so much more to offer. Thank you for realizing we're just like your family and not so different after all. Thank you for opening up your hearts and letting us in and embracing Kayla as if she were part of your family

And to my family and friends who know me: thank you to you too! I know you would read anyway, just because you know me :) But thank you for loving Kayla unconditionally and for your never-ending support.

Thank you to everyone for celebrating Kayla...and celebrating diversity!

"Happy" World Down Syndrome Day!

Gifts - Re-Released

Remember the book Gifts that I was able to contribute a story to? It was published in Nov and available to order through Amazon. There ended up being some problems with the printer/publisher - they just weren't producing quality books so production was stopped.

Woodbine House decided they wanted to publish the book and Martha Sears wrote the foreword on the 2nd edition.

Gifts will be available in July, but they are now accepting preorders.

For those who weren't reading my blog back in Nov and have no idea what I'm talking about, you can read my previous post to get the scoop about this book and what it means to me.

I know Chelle ordered the book back in Nov and finally received it - she said she's enjoying reading the stories. They're very touching aren't they?

I'm so excited for this book to be re-released now!

Gifts is Here!

Remember the book "Gifts - How Children With Down Syndrome Enrich Our Lives" I posted about last month? The one where I contributed a story?

Here is a description from the Gifts website:

Few parents expect or desire to raise a child with Down syndrome. Yet many who travel this path discover rich, unexpected rewards along the way. In this candid and poignant collection of personal stories, sixty-three mothers describe the gifts of respect, strength, delight, perspective, and love which their child with Down syndrome has brought into their lives.

Their diverse experiences point to a common truth: The life of a child with Down syndrome is something to celebrate.

The good news is - it's now available for purchase!

Edited to add (changed the link): It is available at Amazon, but if you use this link on the Gifts website then click on "Purchase Gifts" the Gifts Outreach Program receives an additional 8% royalty (on top of the 25% royalty). What this means is that for every 2 books purchased through the Gifts website a free copy will be provided to new parents.

I'm so honored to be a part of such a wonderful project and book - I can't wait to receive my copy!

October Is...

National Down Syndrome Awareness Month!

Taken from the National Down Syndrome Society website "The National Down Syndrome Society (NDSS) and the Down syndrome community invite the public to celebrate Down Syndrome Awareness Month this October. There will be special opportunities across the country to learn about Down syndrome and to promote acceptance and inclusion of individuals born with this genetic condition.
"People with Down syndrome, like everyone else, are people first, each with their own unique gifts to contribute to their families, friends and communities," said NDSS Chief Operating Officer Jon Colman. "Down Syndrome Awareness Month provides a forum for dispelling stereotypes, providing accurate information, and raising awareness of the potential of individuals with Down syndrome."

Oct is when most of the Buddy Walks take place across the nation. Our BW is this Saturday, Oct 7. We're getting excited about the Walk and about getting so close to our goal! My dad is also flying in on Friday so he'll be able to attend the Walk with us too. We're looking forward to seeing him again since the last time we saw him was last Oct when he came out for the BW!

Since it is Ds Awareness Month I also wanted to mention a project I was honored to be a part of. It's a collection of personal stories compiled into a book called "Gifts - How Children With Down Syndrome Have Enriched Our Lives." There is a website about the book here (some parts of it are still under construction, but it's a great site to learn about the book!) and a photo montage of all the pictures that are in the book. This book will be available on Amazon in a few weeks. I'm so excited for it's release and wish there was something like this out there when Kayla was born.

The story I submitted is based off my post I wrote about the guilt I was feeling as Kayla's 3rd birthday was approaching. It's been edited, cleaned-up, and added details, but that's the basis of my story. I can't wait to see the finished product!

So, with this being October, I hope that I've been able to raise awareness about Down syndrome - what it is and what it isn't. I hope people have gained some new insight and perspective and realized it's not scary and it isn't something to be pitied. We're just parents raising our daughter.

So, consider yourself made aware now :)