Remembering World Down Syndrome Day 2012-better late than never!

I actually planned ahead for 

World Down Syndrome Day this year.  

If you know me well you might find that pretty shocking.  : )

3 weeks before WDSD I wrote Lila's teacher a note 

asking for permission to visit the classroom

 and read "My Friend Isabelle" to her students. 

 She said yes!  

 I also requested  permission to send a letter home 

to the parents of Lila's classmates.  

 I submitted the letter in advance for front office approval.  

 Another yes.  : )

It was a group (family) effort to make everything happen.  

 I was ready.  

Tulips for the teachers, 

 collage of pics to break the ice with the kids, 

the book, letters to parents

 and last but not least~ 

delicious gluten free cake pops!

I woke up the next morning feeling like I was going to throw up.  

Why was I so nervous? 

 It was just a group of 5 and 6 year old kids, right?  

How bad could it be?

When Lila and I got to school I dropped her off at her classroom

 and went back to my car to get everything I  needed.  

When I came back the teacher had everyone sitting on the floor waiting for me.   

 Did I mention that the principal, 

Special Education Rep for the school 

and a couple of therapists were also there?  

Which was awesome!  

But it didn't help my nervous stomach at all.

I started by reading the book "My Friend Isabelle".  

The book is a story of two friends, Charlie and Isabelle. 

 It explains the differences between the two friends.  

Charlie is tall, Isabelle is short.  

Charlie runs fast, Isabelle takes her time.  

Charlie knows a lot of words.  

Sometimes Isabelle's words are hard to understand.  

The book also explains the way the two friends are similar.  

They both like to dance, 

they like to play at the park. 

Isabelle has Down Syndrome.

Charlie does not. 

After I finished the book I pulled out the collage

 with pictures of Lila enjoying life.    

I asked the kids, 

"How many of you have brothers and sisters?"

After almost all of their hands shot up I said,

 "Lila has brothers and sisters too!"

 "How many of you like to get Christmas presents?  

 Lila does too!"

"How many of you like to play sports?  

 Lila does too!"

"How many of you like to carve pumpkins and get dressed up for Halloween?  

 Lila does too!"

"How many of you like to rake leaves in the fall? 

  Lila does too!"

"How many of you like to play at the park? 

Lila does too!"

"How many of you like to eat ice cream?  

 Lila does too!"

"How many of you like to read with your brother or sister? 

 Lila does too!"

After I finished asking questions about 

most of the pictures to point out the

 similarities between Lila and her classmates 

I tried to move on.   

The kids started pointing out that I 

had missed some pictures.   

I looked at their teacher for guidance because 

we hadn't discussed how much time 

I was allowed.  

She told me to take all the time I needed.  

After the kids were satisfied that we had discussed 

every single picture 

 I talked about the fact that even though they all had 

some similar interests they had differences as well.  

Some of them had brown hair, some of them had green eyes, some of them were tall. 

 I got them started and they took it from there, 

 describing things about themselves that were different 

from the other kids.   

I let them talk for a little while, then I mentioned 

some of Lila's differences. 

How sometimes her work is a little different than theirs. 

How sometimes she is hard to understand.  

I had no idea how this part would go.  

I wasn't expecting what came next.  

Hands started shooting up.  

They wanted to tell me what they liked about Lila.  

It turned into a mini Lila support rally. 

"I love playing with Lila at recess"

"Lila has the best manners"

"Lila has beautiful hair"

"Lila tries really hard"

"Lila is so nice"

"Lila's my best friend"

"Lila shares with me"

"I love to help Lila"

"I'm glad Lila came to our school"

Tears welled up in my eyes.   

I thanked them for being such good listeners

and said goodbye.

The principal left the class before me but 

waited in the hall to introduce himself.  

He thanked me for taking the time to do the presentation 

and told me that he was thrilled to have Lila at their school. 

I thanked him for allowing me to come.

One of the best parts for me was that 

Lila sat with the other kids 

the entire time without assistance.  

And when my presentation was interrupted by

 announcements and the Pledge of Allegiance,

 she stood with her (left) hand over her (not) heart and

 recited the Pledge with the rest of the kids.  

Oh, this mama was proud.

Another nice touch was the wrapper on the tulips,

 complete with a Holland reference.

It was good. 

 Much better than I expected.  

When I got to my car I sat and cried happy tears.

And thanked God for Lila's placement.

The rest of the day wasn't too bad either. 

  Lexi chose this day to stand up in her crib 

for the very first time.  

After trying very hard to get a picture of both girls 

looking at the camera in their 

World Down Syndrome Day t-shirts, 

I decided that peace of mind was 

much more important than a picture. 

 I'm pretty sure the girls agreed.

I can just imagine what they are thinking here.

I was still able to get a couple of cute ones.

I am thankful that we have a reason to celebrate 

World Down Syndrome Day. 

 I am also thankful that I worked up the courage 

to spread the word that 

Down Syndrome is indeed 

something to celebrate.  

We have two girls that are living proof.