The Scenic Route

I can't agree with this statement more.  Since Ben was born, we have met amazing people, learned so much, and gone places we never would have gone if we had not had Ben.  The Down syndrome journey is not one I had planned, and we got at a much slower pace, but I sure do love my tour guide!

Down Syndrome Research

In my quest to find out more about the organizations who are leading the nation in Down syndrome research, I was excited to find out that one of the top groups will be the beneficiary of the funds raised from a golf tournament right here in Nebraska, next month. If any of you are golfers and want to give to a great cause, please check out the upcoming Hayes Mechanical Golf outing to benefit the LuMind Foundation for Down Syndrome Research. Currently, researchers have a better understanding about the connection between Down syndrome and Alzheimer's than ever before and they are in the process of developing a drug to prevent Alzheimer's in the general population. That same drug may be able to increase cognition in individuals with Down syndrome. This is an exciting time for Down syndrome research. Can you help out? Please share this link with all your golfer friends and any company that might like to sponsor a team. https://www.lumindfoundation.org/pages/golf/hayes-omaha-golf-outing-golfer-registration

Scientific Fact?

I not sure how scientific this fact really is, but it sure rings true with me.  I have had the honor of meeting so many awesome individuals at the NDSC convention over the last three years,  and the main thing they have in common, is an extra 21st chromosome. 
This year I got to have a booth next to Timothy from California.  Timothy knits his own scarves.  I know, because I saw him do it.  As a fellow yarn lover myself, I felt an instant connection with him.  We are hoping to see him and many other members of our Down syndrome family next year in Orlando!

I Wouldn't Change a Thing

If there was a magic wand that could take away Ben's Down syndrome, (which there isn't) I don't think I would use it.  Would I like to make life easier for Ben?  You bet.  Would I like to take away all the people who will hurt him over his lifetime?  In a second.  But I don't want to take away that special something that makes Ben who he is. He is a silly, active, inquisitive, dancing, giggling, ornery little boy, who has made our family so much better by being exactly who he is.  I love him just the way he is.