I'm DOWN with INCLUSION

Let me start by extending a BIG THANK YOU to NoahsDad.com for starting a much needed public dialogue about inclusion and equality for all children but specifically children with Down Syndrome. For me, inclusion is implied considering Down Syndrome has been part of the human condition since the beginning of time, but it turns out there are still a lot of closed minds and hearts out there.

Noah's Dad (Rick) hosts and writes a blog that chronicles his and his wife's life with their beautiful son Noah. He recently posted his thoughts and a thank you to Target for including a model in a recent ad campaign who happens to have Down Syndrome. He also thanked the retail giant Nordstrom for including the same model in their recent Anniversary catalogue. I am HAPPY to report that this post caught the attention of mainstream media which in turn has opened up a dialogue about inclusion, embracing our differences and celebrating them. It is through education and awareness we can start to make and see societal changes.

My son Blake has Down Syndrome and I am so PROUD that he does. He can be a representative of equality, life and LOVE in our judgemental world. Blake and I have committed our voices to the fight for EQUALITY and INCLUSION for ALL regardless of gender, race, perceived disability, sexual orientation or any other "difference" from the herd mentality. 3 cheers for NOAH and NOAHSDAD.COM for starting this important dialogue. I am excited to see what power the media has for more inclusion for members of the Down Syndrome community.

This media coverage makes me excited because I now wonder are we really evolving as a human race? as a society? are our generic and limited views of beauty changing? are big corporations now going to send a message of inclusion and equality? rather than corporate greed and a herd mentality? I look forward to getting these questions answered. In the meantime organizations like the NDSS (National Down Syndrome Society) and people like Rick are working to educate and inspire the world to open up their hearts and in turn their eyes.

Blake's Story: DOWN but not OUT

In honor of National Down Syndrome Awareness Month I teamed up with my friend and loving mother of 3 Tori Spelling and contributed my story to the Raise section of her eMAG EdiTORIal yesterday.

Read My Story: DOWN but not OUT HERE


Blake 2 days old - Special Care

This was my reality in the first week of Blake's life. He fought to be here and it was his courage that inspired mine.

As I look back on the last 5 months of Blakes growth I am forced to think of my own. Never has my character been so tested, my constitution so tried or my values and belief system so rocked. What I have realized is that our energy, collectively is best spent celebrating our differences and not judging them. We are ALL guilty of it (Myself included). What a boring, generic world we would live in if we were all the "same" or "similar". Where applicable apply the label of LOVE only.

The comments I have received from my family, friends and most of all virtual strangers in the last 24 hours have been overwhelming to say the least. I cried a lot yesterday while reading the public comments as I realized how many amazing, genuine, good hearted people in there are in this world, more than enough to drown out the negative, ignorant ones.

I look forward to what the future will hold with Blake and the rest of my family. A future that is unknown for all of us. We will enjoy our moments together confident in the fact that the world may knock us DOWN but they will never take us OUT! This is just the first you are hearing from me but I fully intend on becoming a LOUD voice of advocacy and information as I strive to give children with DS a voice. Sharing facts, and feelings in an intelligent and empowering way! I am PROUD of my son's extra chromosome ... Turns out thankfully MORE is MORE xo


"Every human being is intended to have a character of his own; to be what no others are, and to do what no other can do." - William Henry Channing


For more information about Down Syndrome visit the NDSS website.

Want to read more personal stories from the DS community? Many mothers reached out to me yesterday and shared their virtual spaces of LOVE!

Kellie: Enjoying the Small Things
Christine: Brody's Buddy Ride
Amy: GiGi's Playhouse
Kayla: Loving Austin
C. Smith: Results Not Typical
Amy: Mayson
R-WORD: Pledge to choose your words wisely and kindly!

Julie: Nina's Story