What Did World Down Syndrome Day Achieve?

On the 21st of March, 2014 we joined forces to celebrate the 9th World Down Syndrome Day together. The charities Down's Syndrome Association and Down Syndrome International decided that the theme of the day was health, and as a way of getting everyone involved we wore our funkiest socks... 

'For we are all colourful and unique.'

(That's a phrase I coined as a stock response when people ask what the sock theme is all about.)

But I was conscious of mutterings in the wings:

Warrior Mums by Michelle Daly

I am very proud to feature alongside many inspirational disability advocates and campaigners in new book Warrior Mums.

A few months ago I met a truly inspirational lady, Michelle Daly via Twitter. In  nutshell, Michelle was the youngest person ever to become the legal guardian of someone with a disability in this country back in the 70s, and she has written an incredible story about her journey with Marie in her must-own book With a Little Help From My Friends.

Guest Post - Holland and Italy: A Mother's Journey

Thank you to the beautiful Beth for sharing her thoughts on being welcomed to Holland, but then deciding to visit Italy after all. It is a wonderful story of the journey so many of we parents of a child with Down's syndrome go through.

Beth and her beautiful daughter in Italy

Welcome to Italy

We are a family of wanderers. Butlins or Berlin, we're really not that fussed. Scattered up and down the country, and with a stepmother in the Czech Republic and a Mother-in-law in Switzerland, we do our fair share of arguing over whether or not to go for the M6 toll road and trying to sneak extra hand baggage onto budget airlines. 

Guest Post - Luke Learns to Walk

Lovely Little Luke

Henrietta shares her thoughts as a loving Mum on encouraging her son Luke to meet his milestones, and celebrates his new walking skills. 

We all want the best for our children and sometimes it's difficult not to worry, but they all get wherever they are going in their own time. We look forward to following Luke's amazing progress. 

Down Syndrome Infographic for #WDSD14

I am very proud to be working with disability products company Leckey, who very kindly offered to create this wonderful infographic for World Down Syndrome Day #WDSD14. So if you have every wanted to separate the facts from the fiction surrounding Down's syndrome, this is for you. 

World Down Sydrome Day 2014 - A Linky

March 21st is arguably the busiest time of year for any parent, charity worker, blogger, campaigner or  advocate who has, or has any connection with, someone who has Down's syndrome.

Yes, it's World Down Syndrome Day! 

#WDSD2014

The date is chosen to represent the 3 copies of chromosome 21 that individuals with the condition have. It's a day of celebration, education, of support and sharing information, as well as fundraising for the charities we hold dear and this year the focus is on HEALTH.

Downs Side Up produces its first support book

Mia and Pippin dream up a new title for her first book

Just over 7 years ago I sat in front my computer screen in the late evening whist expressing milk with an industrial pump that would service a herd of cows, and I Googled 'Down's syndrome' for the very first time. 

Video clip: Natty wants it to be her birthday too...

This weekend sees big sister Mia's 

10th birthday 

and last night we planned a surprise party with a few of Mia's school friends.

A brief burst of filming before we left revealed a rare gem of a  comic moment from Natty that I simply had to share.

Of course she knows it isn't her birthday, she's teasing me, pulling my leg, her eyes twinkling with mischief. But she wants it to be her birthday all the same. 

But then I guess we could all do with at least 2 birthdays a year couldn't we ;)