Little Red Riding Hood: A hero with Down syndrome

ONCE UPON A TIME...

in a quiet clearing in a faraway wood, there lived a wise, brave and beautiful young lady named Natalia. Because of her fondness for dressing in a velvet cape of crimson rose, and a frock adorned with pictures of her favourite woodland friends, she became known by all who loved her as Little Red Riding Hood.

Little Red Riding Hood had fought valiantly to become strong, overcoming battles of health and development with a smile. And each day she worked as hard as she could to learn the skills she needed to go out into the big wide world by herself, and each day she drew others in with her humour and vivacious spirit, so that she could teach them all about her inclusive community, her determined family, her zest for life and her famous way of turning Big Bad Wolves into the gentlest of puppies.

The Power of the Humble Blogette: an example

I never knew when I started poring my simple musings into my Mac that it would mean strangers coming up and shaking my hand. Well that's exactly what happened this weekend.

We had popped into town for summer sandals. 
This is a tricky job at the best of times. 

The combination of Saturday bustle, busy pavements, a child who hates being measured but loves to show off and leap around the shoe shop shouting 'chase me', a daughter with very distinct fashion sense hellbent on black patent rather than strappy summer footwear, the constant wrangles over walking properly, holding hands to cross roads, the mantras we repeat to encourage road safety, the swinging her along between us to cover the few hundred yards back to the car when she has given up walking, my refusal to use a buggy if its only for my convenience, little shops that don't stock the size you need, lack of choice under one roof, 2 children to find shoes for in one trip....

Anyway, it was definitely a 2 man job and it took all our patience and might, some jelly sweets and the promise of a playing of Mary Poppins to deal with it with a jolly smile on our faces.

With 2 pairs of identical sandals purchased from shops at opposite ends of town in the bag, it was time for sustenance. 

We stopped and flopped in a hearty healthfood cafe and ordered jacket spuds and tea to boost our spirits. The girls asked if they could sit alone. What a super idea we thought. They could feel independent and grown up sitting at a table right next to us.

As it happened the plan worked beautifully. They played with a few toys provided. Natty sat still, didn't get down from the table once and ate her simple lunch which Mia had cut up for her and they chatted together easily without interruptions from the parents. They felt very proud of themselves.

I noticed people looking. Perhaps they thought we were bad parents for banishing our children like this? Not wanting to sit together.


But no.

As we got up to leave a lady and her mother came over. They just had to tell us what beautifully behaved children we had and how touched they were by their closeness, how amazed they were by Mia's gentle helping way with her younger sister. They left by saying we must be very good parents.

Wow, what a compliment!


Then, as we paid and donned our coats, the shoe shopping stress a distant uncomfortable memory, the chef of the establishment came out from the kitchen with his wife. This was a couple of a certain age, who clearly work all the hours they can to run a successful eatery. I didn't have them down as blog readers.

The man leant forward and shook our hands. "I follow you on Twitter" he said. "What you do is amazing. I can tell it takes a lot of time." "What you do for others as a family is brilliant."

And there you have it. You never know who is reading your words and the effect it is having on them when you blog your heart out. Did this couple have any connection to Down's Syndrome? They didn't mention it if they did. And that has always been my aim. To gently change perceptions of the condition from within hearts, without people even realising that I am doing it. Not preaching to the converted, but drawing in those who are not.


If you enjoyed this post you might like to read Downs Side Up: A Gentle Mummy Activist

Natty, model with Down's Syndrome in new catalogue

Natty features in the Frugi Organic Clothing catalogue for the second season, SS13. 

I do believe they are the first company to use a model with a disability more than once in their campaigns. So hats off to them.

Here are a few of the best pictures from the photoshoot, which I think really manages to capture her personality and essence this time around.

I hope you like them. Natty had fun as you can see but of course she is a true ambassador, gently changing perceptions of that extra little chromosome from within hearts everywhere she goes.

To see more candid pictures and find out what happens at a photoshoot, read BEHIND THE SCENES AT THE FRUGI PHOTOSHOOT here.

To read about the other children breaking down the barriers to make advertising more inclusive, read PIONEERS WITH DOWNS SYNDROME here.

To dee more pictures and read about Natty's other jobs visit our NATTY G: MODEL WITH DOWN'S SYNDROME PAGE.

My Mummy and Me Magazine Article

Downs Side Up feature for the first time in exciting parenting publication My Mummy and Me Magazine this month. 

Check out our 3-page article on pages 24, 25 and 26, available as a free online download or a paper copy in the Liverpool area. We talk about what to say when a baby is born with Down's Sydrome and chat openly about our feelings at that time of transition for us.

See the other articles I have written to dispel myths and gently change perceptions from within hearts in our Published Articles Page. 

Would you like Downs Side Up to pen an article for your publication? Contact me on downssideup@gmail.com

Changing Perceptions of Down's Syndrome in MAMA UK

I'm proud to have been featured in a new online magazine called MAMA uk this week.

Changing Perceptions of Down’s Syndrome

PARENTING

by alice  |  on December 12th, 2012  |  0 comments

This summer as a new mum of two I attended BritMums Live!, a blogging conference held in central London. I love such events, they not only provide a great learning experience but it’s also an opportunity to meet and mix with friends you have known online for years. And to enjoy a bottle or two of Prosecco, natch.

One of the most popular features of BritMums Live! is the Crowdsourced Keynote Speakers, which is the final item on the agenda. It’s a carefully curated hour of blog posts that are read out to the assembled audience by their authors.

This year I was so deeply moved by one of the speakers that I have been shouting about it ever since...

Read the rest of Alice Arnold's article here: Changing Perceptions of Down's Syndrome with Downs Side Up

Downs Side Up Voted Top Blog

I was honoured to have been nominated in this prestigious blogging award.

I was touched when many parents and support groups began voting and spreading the word.

The morning after the voting closed I am flabberghasted to say the least. For Downs Side Up was voted 8th in the Top 25 European Blogs. Yes, we are inside the Top 10 even. I've had an email saying I'm a winner.

I am even slightly embarrassed because I am among some very very  experienced and renound writers whom I  consider to be my inspiration. Likewise some utterly amazing blogs didn't make it into the Top 25 where they belonged. I was voting for them daily.

So, here is a massive thank you to each and every one of you that took the time to cast a vote in my direction. 

Together we are helping to gently change perceptions of Down's Syndrome from within hearts. Together we are showing the world that our children are amazing.