World Down Syndrome Day Dinner!!!! ( Part 4)

Part 4: What a great way to end our World Down Syndrome day celebrations!!!

Yesterday we joined the Down Syndrome Association of Peterborough for there Spaghetti Dinner and Cake Auction in celebration of World Down Syndrome Day!!

As always was super excited to be going and to see familiar faces I haven't seen in much to long. It was great as Aunt Meg and Elliott were coming with us too!!

Your brother, sister and cousin proudly support you peanut!!!

Ha ha!! The only picture I got captured of all of us through our celebrations and its as real as it gets with 3 kids!!! Lol

So when we arrived....
I so so overwhelmed with what we were greeted with!! A couple from Colborne ON. attended the dinner with intentions on meeting us. I was so touched by there story. They had see the Newspaper article and couldn't help but have to meet Kayde as he reminded them so much of there son. There son was born with special needs and unfortunately was taken way to soon. He would have been 38 she told me. I am almost speechless with the love people have shown us and no expection with this story. Kayde went to the couple like he has always known them and greeted them with big hugs!! I am very fortunate and thankful this couple reached out. This night will always stick out in my heart.


The night was filled with great food, cake and  conversation, it was good to see everyone and catch up. The cake auction was a huge success, so many great looking cakes. I look forward to all the events in the future. I am very lucky and proud to be part of such a wonderful community. There couldn't have been a better way to end our World Down Syndrome Day celebrations. Thank you everyone!!!

 

Practicing walking skills with Aunt Meg!!

 A great friend and women Deb and her handsome young man  Alasdair

Circle 21- World Down Syndrome Day Event!!! (Part 3)

Part 3: What an evening I was in for!!

I can't tell you peanut the excitement that built up in mommy going to this event. This was the first of oh so many to come.!!! A wonderful inspiring night.

It also meant the longest I have ever been away from you since I brought you home from the NICU at 2 months old.  You had your first sleep over with your Aunt Meg. Big milestone for mommy..lol.

So mommy dressed up and headed to Toronto. One of the reason I was so excited was a few weeks ago I took you to a photo shoot for Circle21 . Guess what? That photo was being released at the event. Along with a bunch of other amazing individuals Ya!!! I was dying waiting to see which photo they choose.  

Peanut, my breathe was taken away as my eyes watered when they met your photo. Oh my look at you. 

 
Look at me, I couldn't be beaming more if I tried. I am so so very proud of you. This photo and it being released on World Down Syndrome Day at an event which sold out with 400+ people. I was on top the world!!!

I met a few familiar faces and so cool met a fellow mom I had only known and met on Facebook and being part of this amazing community. It was great to actually met and  to connect with her. :)

The Ceremonies started and I had no idea what I was in for but I knew I was so so SUPER excited to hear Dr. David Chitayat Head of The Prenatal Diagnosis and Medical Genetics Program speak. I think VERY highly of this man. I have only met him twice, when Kayde was 2 days old and for a follow up in July. I can't even imagine how many parents he meets and sees and even tonight he spotted me and came to see how Kayde was doing. Speaks volumes to me!! I heard the best thing ever that night when they were introducing him, saying in the mothers eyes of who's lives he has touched.They call him  the  "Yoda" of the Medical World. I totally agree!! I am very thankful it was this man delivering your diagnoses peanut. With all that comes with that news this man is there to give parents ( myself) ground to stand back up on, when all else around you may feel its crashing down. Its a special quality that sadly is rare to sometimes come by.  I will never forget that night I met him, he has left a life long impression.  

Everything else about the night was so amazing and inspiring. So many speakers and guest. I went through so many emotions,  I laughed, I related, I cried, I beamed in pride and joy. I learned. I will say it again I was beyond inspired. I could talk and ramble on for lord knows how long but I will stop myself and link you to everyone that was there. So please check each one of them out it is so worth it. :)

RARE created by Judith Thompson ~  A group of truly Incredible individuals!!!

 Down Syndrome Associations Panel

Canadian Down Syndrome Society

Down Syndrome Association Of Peterborough - Deb Reid

Down Syndrome Association of Toronto

Down Syndrome Association Of Ontario


Community Groups and Organizations Panel

Drama Way

Sol Express

DJ Arif of "Just Dance" and " Dance Rock"

Special Olympics Ontario

Community Living Toronto

Motionball

Surrey Place

Filmmaker~ Erin Corrado 

I Am Not Invisible


World Release of a film by Circle 21,  Sons and Daughters, Juniper Park.

Extra Ordinary ~ Great wonderful video


One last thing before you go.. I heard the most amazing song that night as well!!!

Circle 21's song.........ONE HEART AT A TIME
This  heartfelt inspirational song, written by Colleen Broadhurst and Gary O'Connell, has been written from a mothers prospective.

 Please Support  and Download the "Circle 21" song "ONE HEART AT A TIME" from Itunes by clicking below. It's only .99 cents.

 
https://itunes.apple.com/ca/album/one-heart-at-a-time/id624144071?i=624144167&ign-mpt=uo%3D4

A special thanks to Circle21, for a amazing great inspiring event on 3.21.13 :)

World Down Syndrome Day!! (Part 2)

Part 2: Could it get any better??

Oh my yes it did!!! While running around full of excitment of the day and trying to get out the door on time, as Kayde had his 2 yr corrected Neonatal check-up, my facebook was being flooded with pictures of all our supporters wearing blue and yellow in honour of Kayde and all others with Down Syndrome. There support to bring awareness to World Down Syndrome day is more then awesome!!

Thank you Everyone!!! You Rock!!!

 

 

Yep, Yep I did Kaydster, I spent hrs on my nails to match. Also did it for a Facebook page " paint your nails blue for World Down Syndrome Day.

 

 

 

 

 

 I rushed a few pics of us as we were late for our appointment as it was. Kayde your appointment well as it was a big evaluation day for you. You rocked it and showed off all that you have gained since our last visit with them. After the appointment we decided to head to the mall for lunch and in hopes of getting some attention on why we were all dressed the same with 3:21 on our shirts. We hit Cassey's on lunch rush and what a wonderful lunch we had!! So many people approched us in wonder the reasoning behind our shirts. It was so great to inform so many people. It was quite easy actually with the friendly goosey- goose mood you and your sister were in brought us plenty of attention. I feel great and proud of the attention we brought, but I must say I also feel a little sad, how unaware people truly are. With all the people that we met and seen and even talked to only 1 person knew before asking why we were in blue and yellow and what the 3:21 stood for. But with that said that is why we do what we do. Inspire, Educate and raise awareness today and everyday!

World Down Syndrome Day!!!! ( Part 1)

Good morning!! World Down Syndrome Day 2013. I am almost lost on what to say as I have so much to say.Lol! The most fantastic day ever, alot went on for us this year so I thought I would break the day up in to parts. :)

 

 

Part One: The Day began with this!!!

 

Down Syndrome Day Article

 

 

 

 

Can you believe it??? Front page peanut!!! Oh my I was speechless when I seen this. I was already overwhelmed  with just doing the interview and it being in the paper. Never did I think we would make front page with it.!!!  

 

The love we received over this article is phenomenal. Here's a look at some of the support we got.

 

Linz..Just read the artical on line....so proud of you and the kids...XXOO

 

Today I enjoy my job. 1400 copies of  Lindsay And Kayde

 

I'll be sharing it with my classes at school!

 

Congratulations! You and Peanut totally rocked it!! Proud of you!! :) 

 

Great article!

 

Peterborough Down Syndrome Assosiation says:

Linzi is a remarkable young mom who is celebrating World Down Syndrome Day today! You are the best! She is not one of kind; every mom who has a child with Down syndrome is fabulous in my books! I am honoured to be in your company ladies! Celebrate every day!

Those are just a few of the encouraging words we received after yesterday's article. I would like to thank each and everyone of you's for your support and love. Doing the article went farther then I ever imagined. One person at a time we are changing the views of Down Syndrome.

Look At You!!!

Well Peanut its been just over 2 months since you pulled to stand for the first time and now I can't even beleive the things you have learned so quickly. You are learning to climb up on everything you can. In the last week you have taught yourself to get down  feet first on the things you've climbed.  You are walking around everything, the couch and even shuffle down the walls. :) The smile you wear doing it is priceless along with the moments you stop and give a big Ya and clap for yourself. But you haven't stopped there. You have now realized the art of pushing anything you can and walking with it. Look at you go!!!!

Before I know it, you will be off moving and grooving all on you own!!!

Hear My Words!!!!

06/03/13!!!! Mean anything to you??  Never meant anything to me either until 2 years ago. Whats
the importance of this date? It it is "Spread The Word To End The Word Day"  It is a day  to raise awareness for thousands of people with intellectual disabilities and their families who are affected, offended and hurt by the word retard(ed).


“I look retarded when I…”
 
“Don’t be retarded!”

“It’s so retarded.”


These are all statements I have heard. To be honest I am guilty have said the "word" before in my life too, before I was aware. Aware of the effects this word truly has!!

 I have heard it from friends, family. I hear it when out in public, and sadly.... Some
Medical professionals still use mentally retarded to describe Kayde and people like him.
It is slowly being written out of legislation, but it is society that has to change their way of looking at it. To most its just a word, they didn't mean it that way... There is no other way
 of meaning it. Period. I am fully aware of what retard means. I know it's the French word for slow. To hinder or impede. I also know that unless you put a French infliction to it, you are using it in a derogatory way. PERIOD!!!!

You may think I’m overly sensitive. Please, before you jump to that conclusion, try to imagine your child, your heart, being made the poster child for words like flawed,slow, inadequate, less then perfect, defective, subpar, or inferior. Then try to think of how that would feel to you.

When in reality, in my eyes he is the poster child and is the key for unconditional love, hopefulness, joy, strength, happiness and the meaning to a better more meaningful life!!!

I pledge to you today and everyday Kayde to stand up and speak up every time that word is said.  So if you use that word please know that if my ears are around I am going to make a point to say something to you. You don't have to care my son has Down Syndrome, you don't have to care people look differently at him.  You don't have to care that this word bothers me, but you will have to listen to me call you on it.

Did you know???

97% of people with Down syndrome are happy with who they are. They are HAPPY.
( How many of you can say that)