Chromosomes

Monday, 31 October 2011

I can't believe it's Oct 31 - already! Made it through another year of blogging for 31 for 21 and Raising Awareness ... one blog at a time.This is a picture of chromosomes. Not just any chromosomes though. These are Kayla's chromosomes. This is Kayla's g

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how do you say "

Sunday, 30 October 2011

A couple quickies:—Very excited that I'm going to Thailand in late December to visit Carrot Cake Zaikowski! Thanks to everybody who signed up for my Barrelhouse poetry workshop or spread the word about it, and of course thanks to Barrelhouse! How about p

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The Shape of the Eye (book review/giveaway)

Sunday, 30 October 2011

Congrats to winner Becca! I was asked if I wanted to review the book The Shape of the Eye by George Estreich. It is a memoir on "Down Syndrome, Family, and the Stories We Inherit." I had seen this mentioned on FB and a few blogs and put it on my "to-one-

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Down Syndrome, College Experience, & Marriage

Saturday, 29 October 2011

There are so many programs for students with disabilities opening up in colleges all around the country. It makes me feel hopeful for Kayla's (and her peers) future. For opportunities that will be available to her.Even though Kayla is only in elementary

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"Sanctuary"

Saturday, 29 October 2011

"Sanctuary"I swear it's the hardest part:All the signs of us growing apartwhen a dusty old movie scene was once something clear and pristine;And as the dust is blown, all of our good memories fade. As the old oak is buffed, I see that not much at all is saved.This realization is emblazoned:Scorched

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Down Syndrome in the News

Friday, 28 October 2011

There have been several news articles about Down syndrome over the past few weeks.A few of the articles pertain to a new study that was recently released showing Parents, Siblings, and People With Down Syndrome Report Positive Experiences. More on this s

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Classroom Language Skills

Thursday, 27 October 2011

I highly recommend the book Classroom Language Skills for Children With Down Syndrome. I wish I would have read it before Kayla started school. I feel like it would've given me some ideas on what to ask for in the IEP meetings, or different things to try

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Special Exposure Wednesday

Wednesday, 26 October 2011

Fun at the West Farm Corn Maze:    Grab This Button

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history is a made thing. it doesn't just happen. it's made and recorded, and that record is part of its making. history is made of subjects and objects. to witness is to be a subject in history. to witness is to not allow others to make the story for you. let's say Oscar Grant's name and know what we mean when we say it. let's say Scott Olsen's name and know what we mean when we say it. let's stay peaceful and know what we mean when we stay.

Wednesday, 26 October 2011

Oakland Police Critically Injure Iraq War Vet Scott Olsen During Occupy March: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/10/26/iraq-vet-oakland-police-tear-gas_n_1033159.htmlWOMAN IN WHEELCHAIR GASSED BY OAKLAND PD:SHOT IN THE HEAD WITH A TEAR GAS CONTAI

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Medicaid, SSI, SN Trust, Oh My!

Tuesday, 25 October 2011

I will be the first to admit that I have a limited understanding of special needs trusts. I know this is something that we should have set up for Kayla already. We know we need to do this, we know it's important. We've done a little research and attended

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Dr Mobley on Health Matters

Monday, 24 October 2011

A very informative interview with Dr William Mobley, MD, Chair of Neurosciences at UC San Diego. He discusses how discoveries in one area of medicine often has wider applications. He describes his transformative work with Down syndrome and the impact it

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"Roll Back(From The Future)"

Sunday, 23 October 2011

"Roll Back(From The Future)"My peers lend their earsto the cold, hard concrete.I'm too grand to be discreet;So I lace up and plant my feet:Young minds are wrappedwithin the streets like sheets.Souls scrape like soles against brillo.They drag their dreams like pillows;letting their heads mop the flo

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The Wonder of a Toddler

Sunday, 23 October 2011

In my guest blog post on Parents.com Having a Child With Down Syndrome: What Nobody Tells You, I write that eight years ago I wouldn't have known that October was National Down Syndrome Awareness Month. I'm fully aware that the only reason I know this no

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Update on Beautiful Eyes Contest

Saturday, 22 October 2011

Remember the picture I submitted of Kayla for the Prevent Blindness America's Most Beautiful Eyes Contest? The public voting period ending on Sep 30th. The top winners from each state were named and Kayla won for the state of SC!Now the next round will b

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Blog Hop for Down Syndrome

Friday, 21 October 2011

Crazy Beautiful Love is hosting a Blog Hop for Down Syndrome ... today ...Oct 21. Because as you all probably know by now, Down syndrome is also known as Trisomy 21 because of the extra copy of the 21st chromosome.If you're visiting my blog for the first

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The Perks of Down Syndrome

Thursday, 20 October 2011

Whether you find out pre-natally or post-natally that your baby has Down syndrome the first things you will be told are all from a clinical/medical standpoint. Most likely it'll be a doctor or geneticist who will talk to you about what Down syndrome "mea

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"Black"

Wednesday, 19 October 2011

"Black"You polish those cuticlesfrom behind your little cubicleand still find time to message me.You let no deaf ear rest on me.You seem to save the best for mewhilst others chase you desperately.You ask for me especially.Maybe you've seen the depth in me.Well, there's no concise recipe;but you sti

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Special Exposure Wednesday

Wednesday, 19 October 2011

And a couple of Lucas ... Grab This Button

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