Everyone has their own traditions. Everyone has their own celebrations. We know that we have a few family "woohoo's" that are different than other families. We love St. Patrick's Day because Hailey came home from the NICU that day to be with her family. We love July 12 because that is the anniversary of Hailey's open...the day Hailey was given a second chance at living.
We also celebrate World Down Syndrome Day which is this Saturday, March 21. 3-21...the significance in that is that individuals with Down syndrome have 3 copies of the 21st chromosome.
We are celebrating again this year with our county group of the Down syndrome association of Greater Cincinnati. It is a wonderful get together of families that have a child with Down syndrome. This year we have 160 people planning to attend (this is just families from a two county area). That's quite a party!!! We are looking forward to an obstacle cource, open gym, swimming, dancing, pizza, cake and celebrating with other families. Hopefully, I can convince my diva into getting her nails painted again. She doesn't like sitting down long enough to get them painted!
There are other ways to celebrate World Down Syndrome Day. This was taken from the World Down Syndrome Day website. In honor of World Down Syndrome Day, the National Down Syndrome Congress and six other national Down syndrome organizations are promoting "Random Acts of Kindness" in the United States.
In collaboration with Down Syndrome Affiliates in Action, Global Down Syndrome Foundation, International Down Syndrome Coalition, International Mosaic Down Syndrome Association, Lumind Foundation and National Down Syndrome Society, we have created a toolkit for WDSD 2015 that you can use to share information about Down syndrome with your community, celebrate people with Down syndrome, and spread a little love and kindness in the name of Down syndrome!
It's as easy as 1-2-3-4!
The kids and I have decided that we are going to attempt 21 random acts of kindness...unfortunately, we have started a little late. I wonder if we can get them all finished in 2 days. I guess we shall see.
What will you do to honor Hailey and all the other individuals with Down syndrome? Nothing is too big or too small!
Hailey has an odd quirk that almost slipped past me. Things are always chaos when the kids get home from school. When Hailey and I get home at noon is just as bad. I try to feed her lunch as quickly as possible so Hailey has time to play before taking a nap. One day last week, I was making lunch and noticed that Hailey was talking to her bunny chair. She walked in the house, made a bee line into the family room, and crouched down in front of her bunny chair.
After that day, I was more aware of what she was doing. It's the same every day. She walks into the family room and talks to this stuffed bunny. She speaks softly enough that I can never make out what she is saying. It is always a very animated conversation. I try so hard to listen to it, but when I get closer, she stops speaking and grins at me.
I may never know what's she's telling this bunny nor know why she has full conversations with it every day. Maybe she thinks she is Sofia the First who understands what animals are saying. Maybe she thinks she is Doc McStuffins and her stuffed animals come to life. Either way, it is a cute little stage that I look forward to every day.
From day 1, I've realized how lucky we are to be raising Hailey in Cincinnati. The support here is phenomenal. We have one of the best children's hospital in the country and one of the largest, most active Down syndrome associations in the country. This week, I was reminded of this once again. I had the opportunity to watch a screening of a new movie, "Where Hope Grows" thanks to our Down syndrome association, Reelabilities, and LADD. Before I touch on the movie, I would like to share information about Reelabilities and LADD.
The Reelabilities Film festival presents award winning films, music, dance, theater, discussions and other engaging programs, bringing together the community to explore, discuss and celebrate the diversity of our shared human experience. These films are by and about people with disabilities. ReelAbilities strives for inclusion of all people. Here is the link to more information about the festival that was hosted in Cincinnati.
Last year, LADD, Living Arrangements for the Developmentally Disabled, collaborated with them enabling them to focus more resources and provide more support to festivals around the country. Their goal is independence through education. They provide a variety of programs and services for people with disabilities, from young adults just leaving high school to older adults who qualify for senior services. Their community-based services are unique in the way they teach independent living skills that will help people become self-sufficient and less dependent on others.
Fortunately, Cincinnati was a host city of the Reelabilities Film Festival. On Monday, Reelabilities, LADD, the Down Syndrome Association of Greater Cincinnati and the Cincinnati Reds made it possible for a 400 of us to see Where Hope Grows. I've wanted to see this movie since they showed it at the Down Syndrome Convention last summer.
I've included the trailer of the movie.
This description was posted on the movie's webpage. Calvin Campbell is a former professional baseball player sent to an early retirement due to his panic attacks at the plate. Even though he had all the talent for the big leagues, he struggles with the curveballs life has thrown him. Today, he mindlessly sleepwalks through his days and the challenge of raising his teenager daughter. His life is in a slow downward spiral when it is suddenly awakened and invigorated by the most unlikely person – Produce, a young-man with Down syndrome who works at the local grocery store.
Calvin slowly loses the chip on his shoulder as he begins to experience the world through Produce’s eyes. Faith, work, purpose and most importantly family, blossom into Calvin’s life as their friendship develops. The unlikely pair becomes intertwined giving Calvin’s life new meaning and purpose, but unfortunately leads to tragedy due to single decision echoed from Calvin’s past.
Where Hope Grows is a story of finding redemption through faith, hope and love.
I'm going to be 100% honest...there were parts of the movie that made me cringe. Comments, actions...they stung to my core. The r-word, the stigma of people with disabilities, how some people truly do feel and treat people with disabilities. I shuddered but stuck it out. They were there for a reason. It was necessary for the development of the relationships in the movie. I know some people were offended by the stereotypes that they portrayed with Produce. His optimism (always happy) and him hugging everyone at the grocery store are a couple of them. I'm going to be honest, those didn't bother me because right now, Hailey is generally happy and does love to show affection. I loved that the film portrayed an independent man with Down syndrome with a job. It also showed him having true friendships with people. You could feel the love these people had for him. The movie showed that love and friendship can change people. I also believe on a larger scale, the movie proves once again that people with Down syndrome are employable...even in acting. This movie pushed to end the r-word and it also showed how to treat people with disabilities...how we should treat everyone. Respect for all regardless of abilities. I would love to touch on more but I don't want to give away the movie :-)
After the movie, one of the producers, Milan Chakraborty, Ted Kremer (Cincinnati's famous bat boy and now employee of the Cincinnati Reds) and David DeSanctis (Produce) answered the crowds questions. I loved watching and listening to David and Ted answer questions and respond to the crowd. They are both very animated men and love to talk! Milan was very frank and honest. He told us he wasn't happy with the original ending so the writer told him, "Fine, you write it!" He consequently rewrote the beginning. I can't give that information, but it was PERFECT! Milan also told us the movie was originally written about a man with autism. He said that it has been done why not try someone with Down syndrome. Immediately, they started asking, "well what actor can we get to play that role". Thankfully, Milan encouraged them to seek an individual that actually has Down syndrome. Yes, I would have boycotted the movie if they had someone pretend to have Down syndrome.
I know that most of the people that attended on Monday had a connection with Down syndrome, but I do believe this movie would be good for everyone with or without that connection.
The good news is this movie is being released to theaters on May 15. The bad news is this is an independent film and is not released everywhere. Cincinnati is not on the short list. The only way it can be brought into another market is if they can guarantee 500 sold tickets. At that time, the production company can contact the theater. Milan was told by Hollywood that no one wants to watch this film. It's been in the making for 6 years. I'm hoping society can prove Hollywood wrong! It takes baby steps for us to make the world a better place for Hailey and others with disabilities. This is several of those steps rolled into one.
If Where Hope Grows is released in your area, please go see it. Please support Hollywood making meaningful movies about people of all abilities.
Even 4 days later, it is hard to believe that Hailey is 4. It is so hard to believe it has been 4 years since I thought God punished me. It's been 4 years since I thought I had suffered the worst pain I have ever felt. I can't believe that we have only been celebrating this little girl for 4 years!!!!
I'm afraid Hailey thinks everyone celebrates their birthdays for three weeks! Hailey gets to celebrate with both families and then at home with the 5 of us. I wasn't sure how much Hailey was taking in when we were talking about her birthday. My question was answered the moment I woke up the birthday girl. I actually had to wake her up...that is a rarity. I announced, "Happy birthday! It's your birthday, Hailey!!!" Without her eyes even open, she stated "presents open?" I had to smile at that one! Guess she got it! I think she requested the birthday song no less than 10 times before school! All smiles and dancing when someone humored her and sang it to her.
It's my birthday...bring on school!
Who doesn't love a birthday crown?
When she walked into her classroom, she threw her arms up and announced, "Birthday!". She then told all her friends the same thing. After school, we celebrated with lunch at Chipotle and ice cream at Dairy Queen. The employees at Chipotle seemed a little smitten with my birthday girl and gave her a free birthday lunch. She then got to visit Dad at work followed by presents and more birthday songs with her brothers at home.
I have so many pics of her on this chair......
Apparently, every where is a photo op!
She was so into her birthday this year. Presents, singing, cake...it made this momma's heart happy to see my little girl so happy. She's still asking for the birthday song and I'm sure she will for awhile. I heard her singing it to her Frozen dolls while serving them cake. She always loves to tell the world that she's 4.
