wordless wednesday: tea time

water play

this weekend we had a couple of families over to take advantage of the great weather. we put out the water table and a little ladybug sprinkler and let the kids go wild. it was soooo much fun!

i really noticed that maya was watching the other kids and also interacting with them. she was curious about all that was going on. i felt like at the table she could play with her equals....she could do everything they were doing. it was so great to see them interacting like that. maya stood there for a long time, splashing, getting all soaked, exploring how things work. i was so happy to see that.

when we started up the ladybug sprinkler maya walked over (with help from dada). then for a few quick seconds she stood there all on her own. she was so focused on the water that i don't think she knew what was happening. but i sure did! it was an awesome moment and very encouraging. i think i needed that little ray of sunshine to keep me going.

"just keep goin' on...i know you can, just keep goin' on, take every knock as a boost, and every stumbling block as a stepping stone, lift up your head, hold your own, just keep goin' on" (song by erick bibb & needed time)

a mother's courage: talking back to autism

a mother's courage: talking back to autism

thought i'd write a little something about a documentary i watched recently. i just happened to find it on hbo and dvr'd the movie. the music was amazing and the way they played out the story was so beautiful. it was real and down to earth...and in the end very encouraging.

summary:

A Mother’s Courage: Talking Back to Autism (a.k.a The Sunshine Boy), a documentary by Fridrik Thor Fridriksson, tells the story of Margret, a mother who has done everything in her power to help her son. Keli is eleven years old and is severely autistic - his mother doesn't even know if he understands Icelandic, let alone other languages. Even if Margret holds no unrealistic expectations on behalf of Keli, she has the quenchless thirst for knowledge about the mysterious and complex condition that autism undeniably is. Along they way, Margret meets other families and hears their unique stories about how they too have been touched by autism.

On a course set to include the United States and Europe, she meets with scientists in the field of autism and autism therapies and the parents of autistic children who share her passion: to break down the wall between the children and the surrounding world. This journey becomes lengthier and more dramatic than she envisioned at the start. During the trip, she catches a glimpse of hope that her son can be helped to a larger degree than previously assumed.

Perhaps it is possible to break down the wall of autism and get to know the individual behind it?

for 15 mins....

it's true, i did it yesterday, i thought about all the little ones i know that are turning 1 lately, remembering their delighted mother's eyes, the joy that those first few steps bring. i wished, just for a moment that maya wasn't so delayed, i felt my heart get heavy and then the inside battle began, torn between happiness for the little ones and sadness for my sweet girl. she is growing up with them, almost equals, and then one day they take off and and never turn back. they move so fast, on their tippy toes, wobbling at first, then faster and faster they go. maya watches them, sometimes she crawls after them, sometimes not. i feel happy and sad all at the same time.

i pride myself on not feeling this way, there is so much joy i feel because of her. of course there are struggles i don't deny that, but i don't ever want to make maya feel as if she is a burden, she is not. she is a gift i would never exchange. but sometimes i just wish she would walk already!

...oh well, there is always tomorrow. yes, yes, i know one day soon i will feel like i'm floating on a cloud, the day maya takes those first few steps, and takes off running. i will run after her like all the other mothers, i will also feel my heart soar.

wordless wednesday

down with you book, pre-order now

i'm spreading the word because this project seems so wonderful..."down with you" books are up for pre-order with a big discount via The Other Person is You foundation.

See message below from Jagatjoti Khalsa:

We are offering to our early supporters like you a Pre-Order discounted rate of $19.95 which is $10 off the regularly price and when they are ordered during the next month, I will be signing every one's copy.

I would like to humbly ask to have your support promoting the early purchase of the book during the next month leading up to our press run. Please send out notes to your friends, family, organization list and using your twitter and Facebook to offer to your supporters a pre-purchase discount of $10 a book which means the book will be $19.95 for a large format hard cover book and I am going to sign all books ordered during this next month when they are ready for shipment. We are going to use part of the money to help finish the documentary as the good people at HBO and Showtime along with TLC are waiting a rough cut to view and this is how we are funding it.

Here is the link to click to purchase:

http://theotherpersonisyou.org/book.html

I'm Down with You will ship in August. All profits from sales of this book on this website will be donated to the organizations which support all aspects of the Down syndrome community. From sales on this site, The Other Person is You{foundation} will donate a minimum of $5.00 per book. We have compiled a list on the website by state to select from which will allow you to direct money from your book purchase directly to the organization you support.

Maya's birthday photos

Laura Brueckmann video

oh how i wish i had more time to write and surf all my favorite blogs. i finally had a minute and came across this video via Conny Wenk, video by Thomas Greulich of Laura Brueckmann. she is such an inspiration to me. so graceful and beautiful. she makes my heart sing with joy.



Kleine Taenzerin from ulmedia medienproduktion on Vimeo.