Clik here to view.
Miss Rachel Testifies
Inquiring minds wanted to know what we would do since the ABLE Act was now law. Well, we will work to get the state ABLE Act passed! Today we headed to the Kansas State Capitol and testified in...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Celebrating the Rachel’s #WDSD15
This Saturday, March 21 the world will celebrate Rachel and all the other earthlings who have an extra 21st chromosome. World Down Syndrome Day (WDSD) is a day recognized by the UN, countries and...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Rachel’s Pink House in a Year?
Apparently, Rachel is moving into her pink house sooner than later. She was irritated with me last week. Yes, this would be my sweet child with Down syndrome who is always happy. During one of her...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Why Advocate? We All Have a Story
Later today, Rachel and I are headed to Washington DC, arguably my favorite place. We are headed to the National Down Syndrome Society’s Buddy Walk on Washington. We are honored to be a part of all...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Seven Days of Rachel’s Wild Life & Mom Too!
I’ll write more in-depth next week but on this Friday, I wanted to share some images from our past seven days and an unexpected piece of encouragement that an exhausted momma received when she returned...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Ordinary and Whimsical
Last week was the National Down Syndrome Society’s (NDSS) Buddy Walk on Washington: the time we set aside to go an tell our stories on Capitol Hill. We also celebrate and give awards. This year I had...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Family Movies & Down Syndrome
In my circles we talk a lot about the need for family friendly, wholesome entertainment. That’s not just my church circle either. In my Down syndrome circles, we talk about wanting to see more positive...
View ArticleClik here to view.
From a Galaxy Far, Far Away to Advocacy
In case you haven’t heard, I’ve got a new gig. Beginning August 17, I will be the new Manager of Grassroots Advocacy for the National Down Syndrome Society. I follow in the footsteps of the very...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Speaking of Congressional Champions
Rachel and I had the honor and privilege of joining our Senator Jerry Moran (R-KS) for a lunch meeting today. We love Senator Moran for so many reasons. One of his district office staffers, Michele,...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Awe Struck/Never Forget 9-11
Like many of you I remember exactly what I was doing when I heard that the World Trade Center had been hit by planes. I was not at home and everyone around me was chattering about it but no one seemed...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Buddy Walk® : Game Changer in the Down Syndrome Community
Tomorrow is the 21st New York City Buddy Walk®. One of the coolest parts of the NYC event is the Times Square Video Presentation. Every year, NDSS reminds the world in a big way about the gifts that...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Sad, Cures and Celebrating Down Syndrome!~
It’s October and that means it is National Down Syndrome Awareness Month. Earlier this week I blogged about an experience that made me sad last weekend. Today, I want to talk about celebrating and...
View ArticleClik here to view.
My Rachel’s Challenge #GivingTuesday
Today is #GivingTuesday. The focus is on generosity and giving to your favorite cause or charity. I had one of my rather lengthy dissertations in mind. However, Rachel has a challenge for you instead!...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Rachel’s A-Plus Week
Sometimes the best way to tell the story is through pictures. I wish my photography were half as good as my friend Sherri Harnisch, but I think you’ll love the story anyhow. This week we headed to the...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Start Up Tips for School
Social media and my email are both filled with questions and concerns about the start of the school year. Whether you have a child with Down syndrome or another “special” diagnosis or not, the new...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Celebrating Down Syndrome IS Important!
I love the NDSS Buddy Walk®. Celebrating is an important part of living. I know of no other tool that has opened more doors to celebrating and making people aware of the lives and abilities of...
View ArticleClik here to view.
21 Things You Should Know
October is National Down Syndrome Awareness Month (#DSAM16). During October I thought it would be fitting to print a few oldies but goodies that focus on Down syndrome awareness and education. This...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Finally ABLE to Save for Rachel’s Pink House
Four score and seven years ago we started working on passing the ABLE Act. In reality it only took eight years, but there were days when it seemed much longer! A few years ago just before the ABLE...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Ordinary Advocates Matter & Inclusion Works
I’m a little late with my blog but a couple of weeks ago we did our annual NDSS Buddy Walk® on Washington. Over 350 people, including 95 self-advocates, from across our nation, most at their own...
View ArticleClik here to view.
8 Practical Ways to Spread Down Syndrome Awareness
While October is National Down Syndrome Awareness Month and we make intentional efforts to make you aware of the abilities of those with Down syndrome, for hundreds of thousands of us, we do Down...
View Article
