Downs Side Up's Ups and Downs in 2013: A Linky for 2014

Time to take stock

January is the time I like to spring clean my blog a little, cut the deadwood and look at it afresh after a Christmas break. It's easy to feel you haven't achieved a lot in a year, that you are stuck in a writing rut, but now's the time to look at even the smallest of steps forward, celebrate your achievements and motivate yourself for the year ahead.
Here's a taste of where Downs Side Up, our Down's syndrome support blog, has taken us this year.
I'd love to invite you to join the linky below with either your favourite post of the year or a summary of where your SEN blog has taken you or your cause, or simply a post about where you are heading in 2014. Please take time to visit and support others who link too, with lovely comments, that's how we draw our community closer.

January 

The year kicked off with a very exciting get-together of all the UK models with Down's syndrome that we could find, doing their bit for #adinclusion. Natty, Seb, Jojo, M&S, Next, Co-Op, Boden and more. We met at the Down's Syndrome Association head quarters incredible Normansfield Theatre. A place filled with the memories and the energies of those with Down's syndrome who had lived and acted there when John Langdon Down first detailed the condition, caused by an additional 21st chromosome. How far he pushed forward, but how much further our children can travel today, the world their oyster...

Natty's Year in Selfies: a 7 year old photographer with Down's syndrome

A NEW YEAR'S EVE POST

As I looked through the events of the past 12 months I stumbled on a set of photos that made me giggle. I decided to forget all the standard measures of the year: how have we developed as a family? Have we achieved the goals we set ourselves last New Year, personally emotionally, career wise? Has our blog/charity work/campaigning taken the direction we wanted?

Instead I looked through the eyes of our youngest daughter, Natty. She's taken enough photos of and by herself to show us what this year has really been about from her perspective, and that is after all, what this blog is all about; listening to the voice of those with Trisomy 21.

I hope you enjoy our alternative look at 2013... a year in selfies, taken by a young 6/7 year old photographer with Down syndrome.


JANUARY
We got a new puppy!

Update on The Undateables

Well, we all watched the inspirational and very dateable Kate on The Undateables 2013 last night with pride, nervousness and excitement. 

Kate riding high after last night's programme

Kate is an incredible woman that I had the honour to meet when attending the British Institute of Learning Disabilities annual conference. She also has Down's Syndrome.

Today I copied and pasted some of the lovely encouraging messages I soureced from Twitter and Facebook and sent them to her colleagues, along with the rather nosey question "Is she still seeing Simon?" 

Kate was thrilled.

Kate's colleagues are protecting Kate from the media and fielding too many questions as she is very tired after the excitement of watching the programme last night. But they passed this message from her to her well-wishers and a lovely photo showing how happy she was at work today:

“Simon and I watched The Undateables together – along with over 30 family and friends! It was such a lovely evening. We are arranging to meet again, we’re getting on really well and we’re both going to see how it goes from here.”

And is Kate relaxing at home tonight? No chance. She is out with friends watching a pantomime!

So, it looks as if The Undateables got it right. Despite the titles and what you think about the directors' cuts. She provides a positive role model for our children, she fills we parents will hope, she has moved many to tears of joy. The nation has fallen in love with her beautiful ways and her sense of humour. No, she is not 'cute'. She is a woman, enjoying the world of dating.

Even Rufus Hound tweeted @RufusHound to
@DownsSideUp "I think she is most things that we should all try and be. She's brilliant."]

READ MORE ABOUT THE PROGRAMME AND KATE HERE IN KATE STARS IN THE UNDATEABLES

Highs, Challenges and Hopes Linky

I was recently asked by Kate of Kate on Thin Ice to think about the Highs and Lows of 2012 (Click to read) for our family.  It was an interesting excercise to think over the last 12 months and focus on my hopes and aspirations for 2013.

I thought it might be nice to share your thoughts on your year past and present, for it is always a balancing process to think about where you are and compare your worries and hopes to those of others. I find it makes me stop whining about the little things in life like bad service in a shop or an under par meal.

It's healthy to put behind us negative thoughts and focus on the best bits for the next year. I don't believe in unrealistic resolutions of the 'I will lose 3 stone in weight, become a millionaire and learn to be a Nigella in the kitchen" ilk. They can only lead to insecurities and frustrations.
Instead let's celebrate the important things in life.

If you would like to take part, all you have to do is answer the following questions and add your blog to the linky below. Alternatively, pop your answers on our Facebook page or in a comment below.


1) What was the high point of 2012 for you?

2) When was the most challenging thing, the part that tested you to your limit?

3) What 3 hopes do you hold dear for 2013?


Much love to you and yours for 2013.