Happy Belated World Down Syndrome Day 3/21/11

I really wanted to do this post yesterday, but we had such a busy day:(  Landon & his brothers represented once again wearing their awareness shirts!!  Mason & Elijah love telling people what their shirts mean and why they wear them......in 2 short years, these boys have become Landon's BIGGEST ADVOCATES!!  This journey is teaching us a lot as a family.  I am so proud of my boys!!

Landon spent the day at daycare/school with his teachers & friends.  Landon's school took part in celebrating World Down Syndrome Day......helping to spread awareness for Landon & all his friends that have been blessed with that magical chromosome!  They wore blue & yellow, decorated their door with our local support groups logo and wrote all the children's names in sign language.  They painted in blue & yellow and colored World Down Syndrome logos, and one very sweet little girl gave hers to Landon!!  *sigh*  One of Landon's teachers (Becky) made all the children blue & yellow ribbons that they pinned on their shirts and they even sold awareness bracelets!!

WHAT AN AMAZING DAY OF AWARENESS & CELEBRATION!!!!

Thank you Hawthorn Hill Preschool, parents & students for opening your door and your hearts to Landon!  You go above & beyond every single day to make sure that Landon always feels like he's part of the Hawthorn Hill Family!!  Your dedication & commitment to education & raising Down syndrome awareness is endless.  We can't thank you enough for proving that INCLUSION does work!!  Day in and day out you continue to break down any preconceived notion or barrier, constantly proving just how much you believe in Landon & his abilities!!  But most of all, thank you for giving Landon a solid and positive educational & social foundation.......there is so much hope for Landon's future!!

Happy World Down Syndrome Day Friends!!!  We are so blessed to share this journey with each and every one of you!!

Last night our local support group, "21 FrienDS", hosted an (adult) World Down Syndrome Awareness Night at a local  Ale House......what an UNBELIEVABLE turnout!!!

Family, friends, raffles and entertainment......such an amazing night!!  Thank you all for joining us in celebrating Down Syndrome Awareness.......your support means the world to us!!! 

Tolerance PSA: "Dear Parents"

OUR CHILDREN ARE SPEAKING...ARE YOU LISTENING??!!

"Sticks and stones may break my bones, but names will never hurt me!!"  Any parent whose heart has ever ached for their crying child because another child did not want to play with them or called them names, knows first hand how untrue this statement really is.  Words are extremely powerful and they DO HURT!! Children are products of their own environment.....RESPECT begins at home!!

Today is 3.2.11, Spread the Word to End the Word Day!  Please take the time to visit the link below and make your pledge today.......to stop the use of the word "retard(ed)".  It's time we teach our children RESPECT....for themselves & others!!

http://r-word.org/