DSAM: I Dream Of Jeannie

Down Syndrome Awareness Month (DSAM) is coming to a close but not before I have the opportunity to share this years themed collaborative images. My friend Nicole and I worked together to bring you Danny and Sandy with our 'Grease' themed shoot last year (read it here). This year we chose to pay homage to the first episode of the classic show "I Dream of Jeannie" that originally aired in September of 1965.

The episode is that of unique discovery and Nicole and I thought this makes a fabulous analogy pertaining to having a child with Down Syndrome.

 Blake (AKA Major Nelson) stumbles upon the surprise of a Genie (Well, Jeannie)bottle washed up on the shore where he is stranded, alone. Our diagnosis of Down Syndrome came as a surprise and instantly I felt alone, stranded in an unknown land. 

I quickly came to find out that I had a unique and beautiful tour guide and I most certainly wasn't alone. What a beautiful community we instantly became a part of. I have connected with local mothers like Nicole and mothers from all over the world who were also once stranded on their own unique islands. 

Our children land into this world, in their unique form with their gifts and abilities. Nicole makes a great point about her magical daughter Amelia, that this world wants her to keep her magic hidden and wants her to be like everyone else. But Amelia, Blake and everyone else in their community can't help but share their magic with everyone they come in contact with. 

As a community we should not have to explain our children's worth, justify their existence, or constantly fight the systems that were designed to help them. We do still, every day. We also continue to advocate, educate and start meaningful conversations in an effort to share the magic we experience as well as the challenges. 

This adventure is full of twists and turns. No day like the last. Just like raising any other children. 

Society places limits on our community based on antiquated, myths and a hyper focus on what they CAN'T Do. Instead, imagine you looked at someone with a disability and saw only their strengths? or what they love to do? or ponder how you can assist them in achieving their individual dreams and goals? I am under no grand delusion about my son and his present levels. He will never be an astronaut like Major Nelson but he may love to study outer space, take an internship or job at NASA in another capacity if that is what he wants, or simply love space movies. The sky is the limit and I love him to the moon and back no matter what.

People with Down Syndrome want what everyone wants: To love and be loved. 

They wan't to be understood, respected, supported and given opportunities, just like you and I. They want to be meaningfully included in their communities, classrooms and conversations.

The celebration of differences is long overdue in our world. Why would we want to be like anyone else? (boring) Our humanity is what binds us in similarity, our differences are what help us evolve and grow to be the best version of ourselves. This is a quest that is never ending, for all of us.

Never loose sight of the magic in others or in yourself.

DSAM: Inclusive Education

The current education climate for people with "disabilities" from my perspective is a disgrace, putting it nicely. The battle between school administrators, "experts" and parents of children who have perceived "disabilities"  is a horrible one that need not exist. Parent's quickly become the expert of the acronym; IEP, IDEA, FAPE, LRE, OT, PT, SLP ... BS!!!! It seems never ending. Under the guise of well intention our children are being "contained" and segregated from their "typical" peers and deprived of the educational experiences and certain rights of passage because they are considered academically sub par. Most of what I have seen is three fold; lack of education from the "educators", budget's and massive EGO's. After standing up for my son as the most qualified expert I was able to enroll him in the same pre-school my daughter attended. He is able to learn along side his typical peers and receive the education opportunity that he deserves.

The staff has been loving and receptive from day one and they think INCLUSIVE. Inclusion to me goes far beyond just having a child with a disability in a classroom but including him/her in every aspect of that room and that is exactly what the administrators and the staff have done. 

I wanted to share this experience from their perspective in honor of this 29th day of Down Syndrome Awareness Month.

The Morro Bay United Methodist Children’s Center believes that each child is unique and beloved of God. We are dedicated to the physical, social, intellectual, and spiritual development of young children. We celebrate the unique development of each child. The MBUMCC instills values of trust, concern, guidance, love, acceptance and community outreach through our faith, knowledge of child development, and passion for the education of young children. Inclusion has helped our center celebrate children’s unique similarities as well as their different abilities. 

Inclusion is not a single event but a process of education, acceptance, and tolerance. Inclusion opens the doors and provides the opportunity to learn together and create a platform in which we accept one another’s differences and learn that each child has something to offer to his or her community. Each child has an untold story, no ability or limitation should prevent a child from celebrating childhood. 

When approached with the opportunity to enroll Blake into our Preschool Program, there was no hesitation. Our staff and parent meeting included mutual collaboration of each of our abilities and limitations in providing quality care for Blake. We discussed behaviors, modifications, short and long term goals. As a team, with Blake’s amazing mother at the helm, we jumped into the unknown together. 

As an educator, you never really know how a child will adapt, connect, learn, or develop. We blindly accepted Blake, and let him tell us his untold story. Page by page, day by day, Blake’s story is constantly reinventing itself. The MBUMCC offers a safe, trusting, fun, and nurturing environment. Through inclusion we have provided each child the opportunity to engage and learn acceptance, tolerance, offer role modeling, expand their communication skills, and share in a collaboration of love. It has been through tremendous confidence and faith that Blake’s family has entrusted our center with Blake’s education and opportunity to learn. 

Blake is guided by his amazing Para-Educator who offers compassion, encouragement, consistency, direction, and guidance. Blake has given as much as he has received. We are grateful for the opportunity to share in Blake’s learning, growth, and development. We are excited to see his next chapter.

On behalf of the Preschool staff at The Morro Bay United Methodist Children’s Center

Christy Hilliard

Executive Director/Founder Morro Bay UMCC 

www.mbumcc.org

Open Hearts, Open Minds, Open Doors 

We ALL need to think inclusive from day ONE. Studies suggest that children with Down Syndrome benefit from an inclusive classroom, (Buckley), and my personal experience thus far can fully support this clear data. Children with Down Syndrome are more alike their peers than they are different, it may just take them a little longer to show it. I can't wait to see all of the success Blake will have on his educational journey!

Back To School: Inclusion

In a few short days I will be taking my little man Blake to his first day of preschool with his 'typical' peers. When thinking of inclusion our minds tend to think only of the student that is being included in the classroom and the obvious benefits as opposed to a 'special' contained classroom. I was reminded by another parent that there are more who benefit from the inclusion of someone with special needs in a typical classroom setting.

I took Blake to the "open house" of his new preschool. My daughter attend the same program  but they have recently obtained a new site for the school. We went to show our support to the administrator and staff as well as introduce Blake to what will be his new environment. Of course he loved it and wasted no time exploring and playing.  I ran into another mother whom I had not seen since my daughter was in preschool with her daughter. We chatted and exchanged acquaintance pleasantries. She went on to rock my world and take ANY lingering doubts away about my choice to have Blake 100% included. She Thanked ME for choosing to include Blake and pointed out how good it is for her daughter and all the other students.

I remember reading research on the benefits to the children without disabilities when I was preparing my case for the School District but to hear it first hand was a whole other level for me. It just reinforced all that I fought for was worth it and will be a benefit to both Blake and others.

Some Benefits of Inclusion for Students Without Disabilities

The Creation of Meaningful friendships.

Increased appreciation and acceptance of individual differences. Tolerance is learned and Respect is earned. When a child is exposed to people with 'differences' the fear of the unknown is removed and replaced with respect.

Increased understanding and acceptance of diversity. Limiting children's exposure only restricts their social potential.

Respect for all people. This all starts with proper models. When children see respect equally distributed across the board, despite perceived differences they are more likely to follow suit.

Prepares all students for adult life in an inclusive society. We all must co-exist in the world, inclusion lays the foundation for children.

Builds the students knowledge of various disabilities. I would like his classmates to have the FACTS about Down Syndrome so they too can act as advocates and educators to people in their lives. Only through correct information can we dissolve stereotypes and myths.

Opportunities to master activities by practicing and teaching others. It also helps build self esteem and give a sense of self mastery when a child is able to improve their skill sets as well as act as a teacher/helper to the other student(s).

Greater academic outcomes for all. Creating a sense of inclusion, cooperation and helpfulness will help everyone succeed.

All students needs are better met, greater resources for everyone. Blake will have a 1-1 Aide to assist him with speech but it is my hope that a sense of community is promoted here regarding assistance. When the class works collectively as a community to help one another overall every one's needs are better met.

To me the benefits reach even further. All of the staff can benefit from having the opportunity to teach children of all abilities and take a sense of pride for being able to assist in someones success in accessing the curriculum, learning new skills and preparing them for their future. They are in essence the instrument through which their students learn the tolerance and respect for diversity that an inclusive classroom can bring. 

I am excited for Blake to start his new school adventure. If you need me at approximately 9:10AM on Wednesday August 27th I will be pulled over, in my car sobbing!

Every time a uniquely abled child/person is included in the classroom or an other facet of society means a societal step in the right direction has taken place. I am so thrilled Blake can be a part of this movement toward respect and equality in our culture.

Mommy I want a T21 Barbie

World Down Syndrome Day has just passed and I blogged yesterday about teaching our children as they are the one's who suffer at the hands of our (parents/adults) influence; right or wrong. They are naturally unassuming and non-judgemental I feel. It is not until we put our own biases, opinions, likes and dislikes on them by way of modelling, do they form "opinions" about people, places or things that surround them in the world.

I also thought a lot about the benefits of play and what children play with and how it influences their opinions and view of the world. We are still susceptible as adults to influence of images and items to tell us what "Beautiful" looks like or is supposed to look like. You can then imagine the influence toys have on children and their perception of beauty.

Barbie is a teacher to children. She comes in many forms, face shapes, skin colors, and cultural backgrounds. Her body shape has yet to change (but that is a whole other blog) but I noticed a group not represented; people with Down Syndrome (or Trisomy 21 - T21). Barbie has come a long way since her debut in 1959. She has evolved to include a vast array of ethnic and cultural groups, mixed races, celebrities and more.

Kimora Lee Simmons Barbie ~ A beautiful mixed race face!

BUT WHERE IS THE T21 BARBIE MATTEL?

Let's do the math from a business perspective, because let's be real it is all about the dollars and cents to large corporations.

There are approximately 5.8 MILLION people worldwide with Down Syndrome (Approx 400,000 in the United States). They all have a family, siblings, friends, classmates and others who love them and are DOWN with inclusion. That is not to say that they ALL want a Trisomy 21 Barbie, however this is an entire market that has been untapped. Not to mention the millions of children that may want to naturally choose the beautiful Barbie with the almond shaped eyes!

I would love my daughters (bio and step)to be able to play with a T21 Barbie and share with their friends, promote inclusion, respect and tolerance through play! Barbie could use a T21 male counterpart too, move over Ken time for a Blake Barbie ;)

My Challenge to Mattel: Look into this possibility of making Barbie not only chic, global and fun but also representative to everyone! I will offer my services to creatively consult on the line!

I think Barbies creator Ruth Handler intended Barbie to be accessible and representative to all, don't you?

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.