Research - Targeted Intervention in Children with Down Syndrome

If you follow this blog and have read my free e-book, Homeschooling Children with Down Syndrome you know I am passionate about sharing what I've learned about how children with Down syndrome learn.  Much of my research has led me to believe that targeted intervention is the key to learning success in children with Down syndrome.  New evidence in coming out in support of the research of many:

Landmark research study shows targeted intervention improves the reading and language skills of children with Down syndrome

If you are interested in following the research into how we can improve the lives of those with Down syndrome, you can find the RSS feed from Down Syndrome Education International on their website.  You can also follow them on twitter and facebook

I think soon I'll make public the summary of what I have learned about education and Down syndrome.  It is much more comprehensive than my e-book!

Righting Wrongs - Healing from Adversity

In my last post, Loving My Life, I shared briefly much of the adversity I have faced and how a grateful heart turns sadness into contentment - even joy!  As I ponder the path I've taken, the person I've become and the life I'm blessed with, I look at the lessons I've learned along the way.

The greatest lesson I've learned is to look for the lesson!  There is always something to learn from our circumstances and work to make something good come out of adversity.  This introspective self (me) ponders circumstances naturally.  I was born that way and can't seem to shake it.

Yes, I had a difficult childhood.  My children only know safety, stability, love and affection. My childhood made me determined not to repeat history.  A wrong righted!

In my experience, righting wrongs brings healing. To remain a victim of circumstances may possibly perpetuate the cycle of abuse and contribute to depression.

Don't get me wrong - I'm not a perfect parent.  I get tired, distracted, cranky.  I even raise my voice on occasion - mostly because of my own state of mind.  But my intention and focus is on not repeating the mistakes of my parents, and their parents, and their parents...

My parents had multiple affairs during my childhood and young adult stages. The ripples of pain flowing out of adultery affected me deeply.  I've made my marriage a priority.  I vowed early on to making my home a home where faithfulness is true and love and peace reign.  A place that is to be an escape from the madness that the rest of the world has become.  I know the sweetness of a good marriage, to a good man who shares my love for the Lord.  I find that an amazing gift - for our whole family. 


We don't live perfect lives.  I and aware of and understand much of my brokenness in the little things and the big things.   We are called to live and serve in a broken world.  It is impossible to serve effectively unless we understand our own brokenness.  Otherwise, we place ourselves above the broken and are unable to truly serve.

I've known devastation in the death of my children - but therein lies my strength.  What God put together in me as a new creation, reborn from devastation, was woven in Him and by Him.  I am, not by my own strength, but by His.  I faced the worst with Him and have been healed through Him.  God is good.  All that flows from Him is good and because of that I know a miracle!

I am the miracle.

My husband, children on earth and my children in heaven would want me to be healed and whole - and to tell the story of God's love for them and our family.  Perhaps I didn't get my prayers answered as Michelle was dying or for the wee one I only knew in the love and anticipation of another child growing in my womb but God loved us through all the joyful as well as the pain, sadness and healing.

I am a better mother, wife and friend because of adversity.

God is not the cause of pain and suffering.  A sinful, fallen world is the cause of all pain and suffering.     Our God, The Great Physician, is the source of healing.

I am assured of His continuous presence and know that He loves me in my angst and in my contented state.  An ever faithful God who loves unconditionally, heals without hesitation and bestows grace and mercy to all.  He calls us beyond our circumstances tell His story.  Love, healing and miracles require a response beyond gratitude.  I would love to hear your story!

Loving My Life

I have been wearing my I love my life* t-shirt quite often these days.  It brings me great joy to display my contentment with life.  People will often smile at me comment on my shirt as if they understand.  I often wonder about their stories but usually the opportunity doesn't present itself to take the time to converse.  

I've often pondered how I would  describe the breadth and depth of that which makes up this time and place in my life so wondrous and beautiful.  If it were a tapestry, it would be woven with rich colors giving it a dimension that I think few know.  Some will not have the life experiences I know or  perhaps they feel burdened by what life has placed before them.

I understand that place too.  I've been there.

I knew a childhood filled with periods of poverty, dysfunction, abuse and pain.  I was never to know what childhood is.

I've plumbed the depths of  grief after the devastating loss of my firstborn.  A subsequent miscarriage took me back to that all too familiar place.

I understand the uncertainty of serious personal illness.

I know parenting of two children with profound disabilities.  I know their struggles.  I know their pain.

I could be a vastly different person from what I am today.  I could feel bitter and burdened by what life has put before me.  I know so many who choose that path when faced with their own personal tragedies.

Yes, choose.

I could have passively wallowed in pain and bitterness but I chose not to remain there at any stage of my life.  Sure there were times when I was too weary to move forward.  At times, I held on tightly to my pain because by letting go of it  felt like the love I'd known would vanish forever.

Instead, I choose to be grateful for what I've known and know today.

I'm grateful for the little things like my cat gently waking me in the morning with her sandpaper tongue for no other reason than she desires my company.  I'm grateful for the wagging tail of my pup that greets me in my half slumberous state when I exit my bedroom in the morning.

I'm grateful for the big things that I know in a loving husband and the sweetness of motherhood in my living children.

I'm grateful for the brief time I had with my children who now dance with angels in heaven.

I am grateful for the presence of the young lady with Down syndrome in my life and all the lessons in life that  I've learned from her and through her. 

I'm grateful for the daughter that has reached young adulthood, is successful in college who is wise beyond her years.

I'm grateful for the opportunity and blessings that come with our homeschooling lifestyle.  That lifestyle has grown us and taught us all so many valuable lessons on loving each other and learning together.

I thank God all day long for His work in me and around me.

I'm even grateful for days when the temperature reaches 104 degrees outside.

Through all my trials, I've known the love of my heavenly Father.  I've felt the embrace of my loving Savior.  The gentle nudge of the Holy Spirit in my heart calling me to new wondrous places where love resides and hope never dies.  I feel a little closer to heaven every day.

A tapestry will never do as a representation of the breadth and depth of the beauty in my life.  Words will never fully describe what a grateful heart will know in the beauty that comes with embracing what comes, living in my Father's will and letting the Holy Spirit be my guide.  I can only hope my soul will be pleasing to God when I am called home.

I do so love my life.

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*If you don't know the story of Julie and Derrick Tennant, please visit them at The Love Chromosome.  You will be inspired by their story and perhaps you will get your own t-shirt!

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Linking up with A Wise Woman Builds Her Home

Which Way?

"Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail."

       Ralph Waldo Emerson

These words are so inspiring!  There are so many choices we make in life. Often we tend to take the path of least resistance, the paved path or follow the advice of others.  We forget to take time to really discern what might be best for ourselves and our families.


What IF we choose to spend time in prayerful discernment?

What IF we choose to discern what is best for our family despite the external pressures?

What IF we choose the unmarked path?

When a parent enters into the world of raising a child with special needs, they receive lots of advice - some desired, most not.  Parents are pressured by well-meaning folks who seem to have all the answers.  The Holy Spirit may be whispering the way through the maze and confusion but we can't hear because of all the noise and pressure.

Perhaps the right path for your family is within the system - early intervention, public schools and transition/work programs into adulthood.  A right path for many families.  God is a work within the system too.

Perhaps the right path for your family is working with your child outside the system and targeted intervention.  A path chartered by listening to what God wills for your family and a path designed by God.

Sound scary?

Perhaps, but that fear will fade to be replaced with the confidence engineered by the Holy Spirit.   You will come to understand you really are your child's best teacher. You will see your child learn and grow and his/her own pace. 

God has His own timing and so do our children with special needs.

When you walk in His will, you know peace...

...and your trail marked with blessings.

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Speaking of leaving a trail,  if you are interested in homeschooling your child with Down syndrome please look at my free e-book Homeschooling Children with Down Syndrome.  In this book I share much about how children with Down syndrome learn, methods, curriculum tips and more!

Wise Words

As I journey on this road less traveled, I often recall these wise words of a fellow traveler:

"As parents, we trust that the Lord will provide all that is needed for His (our) children to fulfill His mission for them while on earth."

We trust He will provide for our typically developing children and, perhaps more so, for our children with special needs.

These words bring immense comfort to me as I consider my daughter's present path and future.  I trust He will put all we need in our path so that Reagan's ministry on earth will be according to His will.

I have seen the Lord's work in me and my work in helping Reagan overcome obstacles in learning. He travels this path with me.  He places before me all that I need and more.  I trust He is at work in her and for her.

I know her heart.  It projects love.  Love for the Lord, love for her family and love for all she touches.

I am fascinated by her mind and how she thinks.  The questions she asks are thoughtful.  Her assessment of situations is often right on track.

Does she know everything that other 17 year-olds know?  Absolutely not.

Academic knowledge does not define her.

Reagan does know relationships better than any other person I know.  She gives and receives.  She is transparent and without inhibition in sharing herself.  She knows anger but harbors no grudges.  Her forgiveness of the transgressions of others is genuine and immediate.  She knows sadness which makes her highly sensitive to it in others.

Reagan's relationships define her.  Her relationships with God and humanity. I am saddened by those who have eyes that cannot see.  Eyes which do not value her and others with Down syndrome.

Somehow I doubt that St. Peter checks IQs at the gates of heaven.  God does not care about how smart we are.  He does care about how we love Him and each other.

So, let us learn from Reagan.  Learn how to love and forgive like she does.

Let us walk in love and forgiveness for a taste of heaven on earth and joy in the journey.

A Homeschooling Mom's Heart

I’ve been on this road less traveled for a long time now.  It has been a beautiful journey.  A journey made beautiful because of those I share it with – my children. 

I’ve learned much on the way.  I’ve learned much about the typical and the not quite so typical homeschooling journey.  I’ve learned much about myself too.

Here is the secret of my heart…there is nothing special about me.

Others comment that it must be so because they couldn’t do it.

I wasn’t born to do this.  God called me to it.  He shaped me for the journey as I traveled along the path.  There were many forks along the way and mountains to climb.  Many times I was tired – too tired to go on.  

In obedience, I marched on.

I spent much time in the desert.  There were dry, arid times where I wondered if I’d taken the right path. 

My resolve only grew and I continued on.

I discovered the further I traveled, the easier it became.  The mountains faded away and the forks fewer.  The desert became an oasis.  The landscape was lush and the views magnificent.  A delightful fragrance filled the air.  My efforts began to bear fruit with the sweetest nectar I’ve ever known.

This journey was never about me but the fruits of my labor. 

Celebrating Every Day

Today is World Down Syndrome Day.  The Down syndrome community is celebrating globally with a great deal of excitement in the air.  Videos abound and there is much chatter over the internet about all that is positive about raising a child with Down syndrome or loving an individual with Down syndrome.

BUT it isn’t just about this one day.  I live with and love someone with Down syndrome.  I work every day to teach her, mold her and love her.  

Because I love her, the work is easy.  We work together, play together and joy springs forth.

The world doesn’t see the love we share or the joy we know.

Most just see is the common features individuals with Down syndrome share and judge that life to be without value.

Every day, around the globe, unborn babies with Down syndrome are terminated.

Words like burden, hardship, worthless, suffering, retarded are used to advise expectant parents with a  prenatal diagnosis of Down syndrome - tragic and inexcusable.

As we celebrate World Down Syndrome Day, we celebrate truth.

Living and loving someone with Down syndrome is knowing joy and unconditional love.


 It is about finding whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things (Phil 4:8) 

Think about such things and know…

...this is our life and that is worth celebrating every day.

World Down Syndrome Day IDSC for Life

 From International Down Syndrome Coalition for Life

"We were inspired by a video, in which mothers were asked if they could go back, and say something to themselves, before they became mothers, what would you say? So we decided we would ask all parents if they could go back before they had a baby, or adopted a baby with Down syndrome, what would you say? Their responses were beyond anything we dreamed. This video, celebrating World Down Syndrome Day, summarizes and brings to light exactly why we celebrate this day! We hope that others will see that our lives are filled with love and joy, and all things that are good and amazing."

Like IDSC for Life on Facebook!

The Road Less Traveled

Photo Credit

A journey filled with unknowns

Elicits fear and trepidation

Raw authentic emotions

Strain heart and mind

A whisper

“My will, not thine”

And we journey on

Lessons in walking by faith; not by sight

Love deepens, faith grows

Peace enters in

A heightened awareness 

The Lord is near

And all will be well

It's A Wonderful Life

Remember the movie called It’s a Wonderful Life with James Stewart and Donna Reed?  Our Christmas season is incomplete without at least one viewing of this film.  After a series of unfortunate events the lead character, George Bailey, contemplates suicide, thinking his loved ones would be better off if he were dead.  Prayers from concerned friends and family storm heaven.  An angel, Clarence, is sent to earth to intervene. Clarence lets George look at life in his home town, Bedford Falls,  to see what life would look like if he had never existed.    The town is drastically different without George.  It becomes a place where hardship is rampant, filled with people who lack compassion - a place that knows no joy.  George comes to realize that his life is worthwhile and valuable despite the trials he faces, and George returns filled with renewed zeal and love for his life. 

 I cry every time I see this movie.

Approximately ninety-two percent of expectant parents given a prenatal diagnosis of Down syndrome chose termination over life with Down syndrome. The reality is that they will never have the opportunity to know what they are missing. They will never know the joy that I know as I do with Reagan, my daughter with Down syndrome.  Their family and friends will never know what they have missed.

I don’t want to think about what life would be like without Reagan.  Just expressing the thought brings tears to my eyes.  I remember what life was like before Reagan and what I know now.

I live a marvelous love story.  I have a wonderful life! 

 I live in a place that is filled with happiness and joy.  I live my life with profound gratitude for what God has placed before me – including and especially for my child with Down syndrome.  

Reagan has a wonderful life.  You only need ask her.

She is valued and values others.

She is loved and loves. 

 

She gives and receives. 

She learns and she teaches.

She sins and asks forgiveness

She has dreams & desires...

Just like you

Yes, there are challenges and hardships – as with any child.  Isn’t there an element of sacrifice in all loving relationships?

If you are here because you are carrying an unborn child with Down syndrome, let me be your Clarence.  

See that our life is a wonderful life…

…and know that all life is precious.