31 for 21, Day 15 - 2012

This amazing video made me cry!  I wish all parents that are expecting a child with Down syndrome would see this video.  I wish I could have watched this video too.

31 for 21: Day 9, 10 things.

The Frog Prince

I wanted to spread the word about this amazing documentary about some most amazing people. I have a personal connection because my friends' son, Ray-Man, plays the Frog Prince.  He is a true inspiration.  I wish for Maya all the wonderful things that Ray-Man is accomplishing.  ALL the actors in this production were wonderful.   They were treated with respect and courtesy, talked to as any actor should be spoken to, and the end result is glorious!  

"This documentary follows a young theatre troupe as they work tirelessly to put together a play under extraordinary circumstances. All twenty members of the cast face intellectual and developmental disabilities. They must work through their personal struggles, hopes and fears under the creative and therapeutic direction of a charismatic mentor and trained theatre director at The Centre for the Arts in Human Development at Concordia University. Let the drama begin."

CBC Montreal presents: The Frog Princes

http://www.cbc.ca/montreal/features/cbcmontrealpresents/the-frog-princes/

31 for 21, Day 12: I'm down with you

I know I've mentioned this book before, when it was still in progress. Well now the book is here and it is available. You can purchase it on Amazon.   Jagatjoti S. Khalsa is also doing book signings at different locations. I found out last week that he is coming here for a book signing at the end of the month.

To go along with this book they are working on a documentary.  Here's the latest trailer.  Honestly it brought tears to my eyes.  

Please do check out their website.  Beautiful photographs are previewed on the site.  Amazing, just amazing work.  It shows the beauty within us all.

 

31 for 21, Day 11: Monica and David

I'm so excited to see the documentary Monica and David, winner of the best documentary feature at the Tribeca Film Festival.  It's airing this Thursday on HBO.  So set your DVR, VCR or Tivo if you live in the US.   It's so awesome that they are showing this documentary on HBO and at a decent time, 8 pm/7c. Check out HBO's preview here.  

Monica and David are also on facebook.  They are always updating their page with photos of all their adventures.   Check out their website: http://www.monicaanddavid.com/

Oh and here's an article from newsweek.
 

31 for 21, Day 9: Living the Dream - Inclusive Post-Secondary Education

Thanks to Terry and Lianna at My life with Gabriel for posting this awesome video about inclusion. I am so impressed by the work this university is doing. It gives me great hope for Maya.

I really believe that inclusion is the way to go although so many times I hear how it falls short for our young ones.  Because people with Down syndrome learn a little differently than others they can often ignored instead of embraced.  If we could just change the way we thought about people who might look, speak or behave a little differently than us,  I'm sure we could learn so much more from each other.   Great things are happening though and I'm so excited to see this progression.

31 for 21, Day 7: Myth Buster #2

To all those who might think that a child with Down syndrome won't catch up to their peers. That "they" will never be like others...Here's something to watch.



Maya banged up her knee this week for the very first time. She was trying to use the steps to get to the slide. All her other friends were climbing up and Maya decided to join in. That is the first time she has ever tried to step up on her own without hesitation. She didn't make it but I am so proud that she tried.

I do believe that she will catch up to them, she just needs a little time. And perhaps she will need a little extra help or a different way of approaching the challenge. As long as we keep trying, the possibilities are endless.

31 for 21, Day 4: Difference is an Artist's Game

I am re-posting this from The Bates Motel,  who found it on Zoey's blog, Little Wonders.  It is so cool, this community of blogging mothers all blessed with that little extra something.  I am grateful for every single person that is working towards bringing awareness to our society. 

I hope you enjoy this video created by Clara Sigmon.

bend it like Maya!

yesterday i found maya in front of our bathroom mirror again...enjoying her little dialogue of signing chatter.  i decided to sit on the bed and watch her from a distance.  just then i noticed that she was standing in front to the mirror and bending to touch her toes.  she was singing the head, shoulders, knees and toes song.  this is the first time that i have ever found her standing and trying to touch her toes.  last week i saw her bending to pick up something on the floor for the first time.  it's so exciting to see that she is gaining confidence with her new skills. 

of course when i took the camera out she stopped...until i started to sing it to her.  so here's the video and i apologize ahead of time for my wonderful voice.  =)

Sunday, it happened!

we had some friends over last sunday. they have a sweet little pea, who also happens to have Down Syndrome. it was so great to hang out with them. we spent a lot of time just chatting, eating and enjoying the little ones. it was then, sometime in the late a.m. when Maya decided that she was gonna stand up all on her own. it was so amazing and even more so to share it with our friends. all that day we encouraged her to stand by clapping and cheering her on. Maya also loves to clap for herself so she was totally into it.

the next day, I kept telling her to stand, and she did, over and over again. oh what a beautiful sight it is! over the next few days, she was very enthusiastic about standing. then on wednesday morning, while we were having OT, Maya stood up and took two tiny steps. oh they were so very tiny, but they were steps. she is getting a little bit more adventurous, taking tiny steps here and there everyday now. they are oh so small, but they are treasured dearly.

since then, i have noticed that Maya is definitely gaining more confidence. she is standing up more my furniture or the wall and even the stove. now she is interested in exploring spaces. it feels so good to see this happen. it's almost here, i can really see it. she's gonna take off any minute and then i'm sure i'll be chasing after her (with a big grin on my face).

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.

cellist, Katharina Reichelt

thanks conny wenk for posting this video via you tube. check out, 18-year-old cellist, Katharina Reichelt. so beautiful and inspiring!

31 for 21, Day 27: swinging

today maya and i went to the playground with a friend and her son. it was the first time maya experienced the joy of swinging. the other times we had gone to a playground maya was too young and couldn't get on the swings or slide.

it was so neat to see the wonder in her eyes as i placed her in the swing. she immediately placed her hands on the sides and held on. i pushed her a little and soon she realized that she was swinging. once i pushed her higher and the wind started to hit her face she was ecstatic. she was so giggly. her laugh was just a delight. i didn't have a high end camera to capture the moment but i recorded her fun from my phone.

there is something that is just magical about hearing your child laugh and be happy. i want to make maya laugh like that everyday of her life.

music video

this video is amazing....
hands away, music by interpol