Grandma, We Love You! How to Celebrate Being 70 in Style

Grandma Downs Side up was 70 last week. So how did we celebrate?

"Grandma is pretty. 

Wonderful. Fantastic."

Beautiful fresh flowers sent from FloraQueen

This is how Natty summed up her grandmother when asked for a quote to weave into my brother's speech at the occasion of her 70th birthday.

Her sister chirped,

"I love spending time on my own with Grandma at her house."

For a few weeks we all squirrelled away, wanting to make the occasion as special as possible for our Mum/Aunt/Sister/Wife and it all paid off.  So, what would our tips for the perfect 70th presents be?  

Media Parachute Deployed!

The leap into the world of media was text book.  

Alison Smith-Squire's training prepared us perfectly.  Her article was beautifully light and positive.  She formed a shield around our family.

Natty's pictures spoke forth from the pages of the Sun, the most widely-read paper in Britain. (5 million or so I hear). 

"Down's syndrome is not to be feared.  Down's Syndrome is beautiful."

We didn't get snagged on any branches on the way down. 

We weren't swallowed in an abyss at all, we didn't even reach the water.

A parachute deployed itself, and we found ourselves rising on warm winds of love, humbled by the words of encouragement and support from our community, and our wider family within Facebook and Twitter.  

The parachute was clearly instantly recognisable for many.  The nation's media watched it beautifully glide.  They decided to keep it aloft.

Suddenly other national papers, radio stations and magazines are stepping forward, willing to spread our message.

TV appearances are planned.  I have been asked to write for a Paediatric Nursing journal and get involved with midwifery training.  Tweets are flying, in no small part due to the beautiful organic, ethical clothing company Frugi that Natty will be modelling for.  

I think we have stuck a cord people...

We will change attitudes at every level for all those with Down's Syndrome.

Photo Gallery of Hope

I got off to a bit of shaky start...

When Natty was born we experienced the darkest, most  terrifying times of uncertainty.  We had not signed up for this!  We knew next to nothing about Down's Syndrome.  What would she become?  Were our lives to change forever?

I recall thinking that we would never again be able to go for a walk on a beach as a family...holidays and travel would be impossible...her sister would be affected by her limitations....everyone would stare at us everywhere we went and say cruel things...our daughter would not be beautiful...

But a kind, knowing neo-natal nurse, who had a daughter with Down's Syndrome, leant us a small family photo album.  
We pored over page after page of simple snapshots; kids hugging on a sofa watching TV, kids opening presents and blowing out birthday cake candles, kids in the bath, kids playing instruments... and kids making sandcastles on the beach!

A perfect bridesmaid (twice so far in fact).

This was a turning point for all of us.  Those photos gave us more hope than I can describe, at a time when we could find very little that was personal and encouraging online.  We determined there and then to expose Natty to every opportunity and experience that her sister had had and was going to have in the future.  5 years on and we are reaping the rewards as we see them both florish.  

So here are a few photos from that journey so far, a journey that has had its many ups and downs along the way.  We hope, via these images, to spread encouragement and positive thinking for other parents.  It's hard work, it takes love and patience, but the sky really is the limit.

I love exploring smells...

...and texture.

I am a little comedian

I love my sister

I sometimes stray...so watch out!

I party hard...zzzz

Sometimes Mummy has to force me to enjoy new experiences.  I'm always glad she does.  I moaned for 20 minutes before I let the dolphin kiss me  :)

I make new friends wherever I go
Photograph by Traci Giles Photography

Pretty aren't I?
Photograph by Traci Giles

I won several rosettes, including this SPECIAL, in the gymkhana, riding Jessie x

Check out my dance moves!

I worked hard at kindergarten

I love doing art at home

The moment I graduated from kindergarten...PRIDE is written all over everyone's faces, tears abound!
I love Daddy too!

I took my first minutes of (mainstream) school very seriously, and got stuck straight in

I loving trying new experiences...I am FEARLESS!

and I am very proud of myself :)

To conclude, yes, our lives have changed forever.  We have learnt to see life through the eyes of one who views and experiences it differently.  We now live life on the 'other side'.  Believe me, it's a lot better.

Oh, and yes...we go to the beach often. 
We travel far and wide, making friends wherever we go.  
Natty is a great ice breaker, and her sister is the wisest most sensitive 7 year old I have ever met.  

And not one single person has ever said anything cruel about her...lingering looks and insensitive questions perhaps, but never anything intentionally cruel.  An ambassador she is... and VERY BEAUTIFUL :)


And special thanks to photographer Traci Giles, more used to taking pictures of Hollywood stars, who took such beautiful shots of Natty on holiday after she stole her heart xxx