Up until last year, I wasn’t really involved in the Down Syndrome community. I was so caught up in being a mom to two active kids and shuttling them from therapies to activities that I did not realize how much support we actually needed.
It was around the summer last year that I had realized that Cody and DJ had never really been around other children with Down Syndrome. Cody was in a special education class in preschool, but his classmates were “typical” developing children and children with other special needs. He was the only one with Down Syndrome.
One day we were out at a store and DJ asked me why a little boy looked just like Cody. That question stopped me in my tracks because I had realized that we never really discussed Down Syndrome with DJ. He knew his brother was his brother and that he had therapies and had had a heart issue, but he did not know that his brother was, by society’s definition, “different”.
It was then that we had the discussion that Cody had Down Syndrome and that other children with the same syndrome may look like him. That it did not make him “different”. It just made him Cody.
He was satisfied with that answer and never mentioned it again. (I wish society saw it with that much innocence!)
That was also when I made the decision to become more involved in the Down Syndrome community. I wanted Cody to meet and relate with other Down Syndrome children and I wanted DJ to begin to understand Down Syndrome.
What I had not realized is the amazing amount of support that is out there. There is a Down Syndrome Support group in Solano County with an amazing group of parents and children. Cody and I have been fortunate to attend a few already and cannot wait for DJ’s schedule to ease up so we can bring him and their dad to a meeting. :)
There is a beautiful sisterhood in Sacramento. Cody and I had the opportunity to join them for a Christmas celebration with our little ones. It was great meeting them and seeing what a bond they have all created. They are the ladies behind the Saving Sofia crab feed. (If you are in the Sacramento area, please consider attending to help get Sofia to her forever family soon!)
There is an insane amount of parents with blogs that make up a great support system. I am just tapping into this blogging world and it is comforting to find others that are going through what you are going through or to be able to give some advice to someone going through what you have already been through.
The support that is out there is invaluable. I am so glad I have “stumbled” upon it.
If you know someone that has a child with Down Syndrome and they need support (or don’t know they need it - like me! :) ) then have them contact me. I am always happy to share my experiences and to introduce them to this support system.
3 comments:
Great post Michelle-
I think it's great that you're getting your older son involved in the community as well. I've been in his shoes my whole life. I gained so much from volunteering at UCP camps that my brother attended from a very early age. It's important to give DJ the words to explain it to others as well, when he's faced with questions from his peers.
:) I really enjoy your blog. Keep up the good work!
Thank you, Kelly!!!!!
Now that DJ is getting older I am realizing that he needs to understand DS a little more so that he can help his friends to understand it. He has 1 1/2 years left until his brother will be going to the same school as him and I think it is going to be important for him to be prepared for what others may say about his brother. His classmates already LOVE Cody and hug him daily and I am hoping it stays that way.
That is great that you were so involved in the CP community!!! :)
Isn't it amazing...the internet! Remember, that's how we found each other! I'm so happy for that!
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