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.

Siblings: The Unsung Hero's

Down Syndrome Awareness month (DSAM) is October and for the entire month  I usually bombard my social media feeds with facts, blogs, and images in an effort to raise awareness about my son Blake and his community of people with Down Syndrome. I actually do this all year round, so it is always "awareness" and education month for us. This year for DSAM I want to focus on the not so talked about topics like siblings during this awareness month.

In the past Blake's siblings have written a blog that was feature on The Mighty (Read here) and expressed how they felt having a brother with Down Syndrome. Today it's my turn. I also will include the thoughts and perspective of another mom, Nicole in our community who is a few years behind us on this adventure.

Just like everything else in life there are both positive and negative aspects to being a sibling and I feel both sides are more enhanced when that sibling has a disability. In my home the highs are really high and the lows are devastatingly low. My daughter is along for this roller coaster ride. As mother's we do our best to divide our time if we have multiple children but to be honest my son gets more than his "fair" share of my time and energy, because the nature of his disability requires more. I know this leaves my daughter feeling frustrated and hurt as she approaches her tween years. She has expressed it to both my husband and I. As she is aging, I know she also has fears and concerns for his future, much like I do. She asked me, "what happens to Blake when you and dad are gone?" not to long ago. I explained that we are working for Blake to be independent and live alone but reminded her that he will likely always have a need for support. I don't want her to feel pressured to have to be his sole caregiver in the event of our deaths. It may seem premature to be discussing with a 10 year old but anything can happen in life at any time. I want her to know that she can care for Blake if she chooses but it is not her responsibility.

Fears and frustrations aside she is  his biggest fan, my greatest helper and an amazing big sister! I know that his presence in her life is making her a better, more patient, compassionate and understanding young lady. Blake has opened a whole new world for everyone. We have met so many people we would have not otherwise, attended special events, and participated in activities in a way we wouldn't have been able to otherwise. The benefits are not lost on her, neither is the joy he brings or the love they share.

She is and always will be my SHEro .. and his.

Nicole shares her perspective ...

With Down Syndrome awareness month coming to a close, I  feel it necessary to pay homage to the unsung hero in my house. This would be my 6 year old (typical) daughter, Olivia. Olivia is less than 2 years older than my daughter with Down Syndrome, Amelia. Like most parents with two or more children, we struggle to divide our attention equally. The fact is that Amelia needs us more, plain and simple. That is hard for a six year old to understand, but Olivia does. Amelia has odd behaviors that make even the simplest tasks, like walking one block to school, difficult and time consuming. For the most part, Olivia seems to have unlimited patience with her sister. Olivia and Amelia’s relationship, like Amelia, is more typical than different. They fight, they play, they fight some more, they love each other.  They are siblings. 

Overall, I think having a sister with Down Syndrome has made Olivia more patient, kind and selfless. This year Olivia and Amelia are attending the same school. I asked Olivia what the best part of going to the same school as Amelia; her answer? “Getting to hug her everyday day at lunch”. Olivia makes my heart full. When I asked her what the worst part was; she responded “ Sometimes Amelia hugs me too tight”. 

I guess for Olivia, she only knows what it’s like to have a sister with Down Syndrome. I’m sure that Olivia notices her friends with typical siblings play together and I often wonder if she’s jealous, if she wishes that Amelia didn’t have Down Syndrome. If she does, she never lets it show. Olivia just accepts Amelia how she is...her sister.

Cheers to raising strong girls, supportive siblings and SHEro's!

DSAM: Dad's Devotion

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The 31st day of October marks the end of Down Syndrome Awareness Month. For me DSAM is every month but I am grateful to have this time to share information, shatter myths/misconceptions and hopefully shed new light on this marginalized population. Over the last month I have shared personal stories, expert advice and information about speech, occupational therapy and education. I have also had the pleasure of sharing several stories from amazing mothers in my community. My last DSAM blog for the month is from the best Father any child could ask for. Four children have been blessed to call this man 'Dad'. My husband wanted to share his thoughts about our son and the Down Syndrome community and I could not think of a more perfect way to close this amazing awareness month.

Blake has brought so much awareness and compassion to my life for a community I had overlooked.  Blake has Down syndrome, not “Downs” as many people unknowingly refer to it as, surprisingly including several doctors I have encountered.  Blake has love, passion, fear, anger and all the emotions so called “normal” people have. 

I am learning to slow down in my everyday busy life in being patient with his often delayed cognitive processes.  In approaching life in such a manner I see how much is missed by having expectations for instant gratification and results which plagues our society.  Many people are searching for ways to be more present living in the moment via yoga, meditation, etc. while Blake has taught me this just by spending time with him.  He has also taught me to be more accepting and compassionate towards others.  He is completely nonjudgmental.  This is one of his strengths that many adults could learn from.  Much of my evolution has taken place naturally by being in his life.  

I have had people say how sorry they are when I tell them my son has Down syndrome and my response is why?  I feel sorry for all the people who do not take the time to educate themselves about people with disabilities and the families who care for them.  I have been disgusted with the discrimination I have experienced with many people in how they treat people with disabilities. 

 I treat Blake the same as my other three children, each of whom has their own personalities, strengths and weaknesses.  I put more time into helping each of them in the areas where they need more support as do any loving parents.  Blake truly brings joy to life along with many challenges as do children in general.  Blake is making me a better person each and every day.  He has a purpose in this life that I can see unfolding in the goodness he has brought to so many he has touched.  

I am honored to be Blake’s father.

DSAM: Day 21

Blake's 21st Chromosome image from his Karyotype

We have reached the 21st day of Down Syndrome Awareness Month. What a lucky number ... in Las Vegas and in my life. For those that don't know (you would be surprised how many people there are) Down Syndrome is a result of 3 copies of the 21st chromosome, also clinically referred to as Trisomy 21. Words alone could never convey the impact this tiny chromosome has had on my life. 

Pre bed time snuggles and giggles

I choose to focus on the positive and enjoy all that has been gifted to me instead of dwelling on the more challenging aspects and trust me there are not in short supply. It is a daily dance to which I barely know the steps and as soon as I learn them someone changes the music.

Blake admiring his half dragonfly pose

A woman I admire and adore read this aloud today while we were practicing Yin Yoga together. She the teacher and I the student. I have really embraced the roll of the student in my life. As a parents you are always a student. As a parent of a child who has extra needs it seems the learning never ceases, literally no end in sight.  The words that were spoken today by my favorite Yogi Teacher really struck a cord with me. I wanted to share them here:

If you could observe your Self from a distance, way over there,

would you critique your size and shape, your weight and your hair?

Would you be kind to your Self?

If you could observe your Self from a distance, way over there,

would you see your thoughts and your inner smile, your fears and addictions and the love that surrounds you 

and carries you all the while?

Would you be kind to your Self?

If you could observe your Self from a distance, way over there,

Would you spend more than a passing glance?

Would you wonder or be curious about the rhythm of your dance?

You are not a mistake or a mere happenstance….

And neither are they, way over there.

It's true!

Happy day everyone,

Love for us all,

By Marylou Falstreau

Women and he Hourglass

www.mfalstreau.com

I love these words. The lack of separation between yourself and others and this notion of equality. What people also fail to realize at times is that we are ALL in this, life, together. Regardless of ability, perceived 'disability', race, income, education, or accomplishments. It made me think about the Down Syndrome community.  Many people consider my son's chromosomal "difference" a mistake, I sometimes happen upon comments on social media stories and see these views first hand and I can almost imagine what people are thinking when they look at us a little too long when we are out in the community. Yes us, from a distance, way over there. From here I see no mistake, I see intention. I see gifts. I adore the blanket of kindness these words provide also, for yourself and for everyone, way over there,

Striped Harem Joggers From Dandy Cubs

DSAM: Laura's Story

Mark Asher

As we welcome the 18th day of Down Syndrome Awareness Month I am pleased to introduce my friend and Birthday Girl Laura. We connected through the ' little something extra' shared by our beautiful boys. I'm so thrilled to be able to share her story as she was to write it. She communicated to me that really writing down her thoughts and feelings here was a very cathartic experiences. Through both tears and smiles she has graciously shared her real experience of being a mother to three lovely boys, one of which happens to have Down Syndrome.

Laura and I at Blake's Paw Patrol Themed 4th Birthday!

Hello, my name is Laura Hansen, and my husband Darin and I have three sons: Nate (13), Luke (11), and our sweet little angel boy, Mark Asher, who is almost 3 and one half years old.  Our story begins back on May 31, 2012. Mark Asher came into this world earlier than anticipated, as a "late term" preemie, meaning he was born on the last day of the 36th week of my pregnancy.  This alone was a shock, as I had always carried my previous pregnancies full term. My pregnancy was uneventful, and all appeared "normal" along the way. We had no idea that we were going to be having a baby born with Trisomy 21, or more commonly known as "Down Syndrome (DS)". 

Mark Asher was born late in the afternoon, with all my family there to greet and hold him, and was as beautiful as ever. He had ten fingers and ten toes, nursed like a champ (even though the nurses said that was unusual with DS), and he had the sweetest disposition. It's as if the sweetness in that room of a Mother's and Father's unconditional love for their precious child whom they so desired to have, prayed for, and received, bridged any fear that traversed the universe in that moment!  I leaned in and kissed his forehead and held him even tighter. I'll never forget later my Mother had some tears and I said, "Oh Mom, it's going to be ok," and she said, "Honey, I'm not crying because he has DS; I'm crying because you have no idea what a gift from heaven you have just been given."  So from the beginning, we were all caught off-guard, and yet, he was perfect from Day One as far as we were concerned. He was named after my Father (Mark), so that was also very special.  All would be ok, in time, as we learned to truly embrace our son, and trust God every step of the way with our little miracle baby. 

We now had a third son, a boy who was given to us as a blessing, yet we had no idea how that would turn our lives inside out, upside down , all the while learning to navigate, discover, advocate, and support a new understanding of what it means to have an "extra" chromosome. 

FOR NOW, we just needed to be parents, and adjust to having a little baby again, and all that comes along with that. Our boys adjusted very well, however, they had many questions and concerns obviously. Would he walk, would he talk, would he be able to go to school, play sports, make friends, even get married and drive a car!! The concerns were all "normal" and to be honest, those probably ran through my mind at one time or another. The interesting thing about our situation is that Mark Asher "looked" so normal, and acted so normal, so it all felt surreal. With the help of amazing doctors and our beloved pediatrician and OB, both being Christians and supporting LIFE, they made our fears, concerns, and questions seem legitimate and warranted. We knew that this was a walk that only a few are chosen to go on, yet the journey would prove to be the real test of time.  God must have known we were the perfect family to raise this little angel, and trust me when I say, he has brought immense JOY and LOVE, LAUGHTER and MEMORIES into our home, and that will last a lifetime.  We can't imagine our lives without him in it. 

Exactly four years ago today, on my birthday, we found out I'd be having a baby, something we'd longed for and yet it just had not happened thus far. Hence, that is the gap in our children. I think of it as if GOD was waiting for us to prepare for Mark Asher's arrival. Today, as this article is being presented in this blog, I am honored to share in such a special time of year, THE MONTH OF OCTOBER, which we celebrate as Down Syndrome Awareness Month. SO, it truly has a double blessing for me!  

Mark Asher is a normal little boy, and he is very well adjusted (figuratively, and also literally, since I'm a chiropractor!) He's so bright, very high functioning, funny as all get out, has an incredible attention span, and is extremely patient when learning new things.  He truly is a special little boy who brightens the world around him and he makes others feel loved and important too. Fortunately for Mark Asher, his love for anything musical is incredible, as his Daddy is an awesome pianist.  So, to sit and watch them play together is magical.  Mark enjoys many things as most toddlers do, but as of late, he has been attending preschool, and for that, we are very grateful. He is in a typical school where he is modeling behavior and learning one-on-one skills, learning to navigate the playground, riding all types of toys, climbing stairs, ladders, and sliding (his favorite), alongside of his wonderful Paraprofessional Educator. He is typical in so many ways, and uniquely different in others. 

While most  people are taken in by his "cuteness factor" and the "smile that is larger than life", they innately are curious about him, about raising a child who has special needs, and how I manage my life as a busy mother, wife, chiropractor, and now full time advocate for him. My answer is very simple: I take it one day at a time. I have learned to let things go that aren't important any longer, and trust the Lord with every step of my path. This experience has strengthened our marriage, taught me more patience as a parent, given all of us a greater understanding of people who have special needs, taught my children tolerance and patience, and we have all grown in our love for children with DS as we have met some of the nicest families and the support of our local DS community that is rich with love and information, as well as activities and a wealth of advocacy to glean from. Together we have formed close bonds with other DS parents, and in the month of October we gather to celebrate our special blessings in our lives with these kids. We are one big happy family. 

A dear friend recently shared with me that "we can all walk the road, not the journey!  The reason is that that journey means we understand your journey too."  The road we were chosen for, incidentally, is (for most) the road-less-traveled. The average age for a mother carrying a DS child is 26 years old, clearly not my age.  Secondly, Down Syndrome is not a genetic situation, it is a chromosomal situation. There is an "extra special" factor and occurs spontaneously approximately every 700 conceptions according to the latest in scientific research. When we heard these numbers shortly after his birth, from the head of DS in the world at Stanford, it's as if "we'd won the lottery!" And you'd only have to know and love a person with DS to know that is absolutely the truth. 

With all the interest in educational inclusion, and the majority of our population starting to become more educated about Down Syndrome because of our national and international communities worldwide, as well as our local chapters, the start of something big is just over the horizon. I for one am incredibly interested in continuing to share, advocate, learn, develop ideas, even continue to incorporate what I do as a chiropractor to help DS children (for example, helping my son to walk straight for the first time as his low muscle tone in his legs left him with a wide gait and weak stance), and come alongside of our other paraprofessionals to get the message out that there is a NEED, and a HUGE desire to incorporate all that we can to help prosper and move ahead with keeping Down Syndrome at the forefront of our communities, our school districts and educators, our county agencies, respite and care providers, our doctors and therapists, and most importantly, our beloved families of loved members with DS. It truly does "take a village" to come alongside of our children, but even today I was so excited to post a video of a gal that has DS, and has made amazing accomplishments in both personal goals as well as college goals. The sky truly is the LIMIT.  She herself was mainstreamed, never attended a special-day class, had some individual therapies along the way, benefited from a supportive family and network of providers...and she is beautiful.  I felt so encouraged because I want our son, Mark Asher, and every other child to have that same opportunity. 

MY goal in writing this article is to say this: WE all have something to offer in this life. With the proper early intervention, mainstream education or even home schooling with peers that model behaviors and speech with one-on-one learning, and an awareness that lets the world at large know that our kids matter, they have a voice, they are capable of so many things just like their typical friends if given the time and opportunities to develop.  We CAN truly change the course of history and incorporate these amazing happy and loving people that deserve the best life has to offer. We all can learn a lot from them. They love without judgement, they trust without fear, they need acceptance just like we do, and they just want to be part of this world. 

I am forever grateful that my son, Mark Asher is in our family, and his timing was perfect. He is an absolutely beautiful human being that makes every day GREAT to be alive. I hope you can see that the love and joy he brings to our lives is unmatchable. And trust me, his giggles are the best sound in the world.  Please try and find a schoolmate, a friend, a neighbor, even a person out and about that has DS, and give them a hug, a high five, or a simple smile today.  It will be a heart-to-heart exchange, and you will be forever changed...PROMISE! 

Cheers to you Laura on this your birthday and to the journey we will take together, as mothers and friends. Our destinations may be different but we will get to ride together on the same airline. I am so excited to see Mark Asher grow into the beautiful, smart, and capable boy that I all ready know he is.

Laura is a Dr of Chiropractic Medicine in Arroyo Grande, CA for the past 20+ years

A.D.I.O. Chiropractic

1054 E Grand Ave, Ste C

Arroyo Grande, California

(805) 489-1326

DSAM: Jennifer's Story

Jennifer and Liam

It is day 16 of Down Syndrome Awareness Month and I am so pleased to be able to share Jennifer's story with you. Every parent has their own unique experience and I wanted the opportunity to share a variety of perspectives here in hopes of shedding some light on what it is like to be a parent of a child with Down Syndrome.

My name is Jennifer, and at age 28 I found out I was expecting.  I was so thrilled and excited and scared. My entire pregnancy was not easy from the very start, I was constantly sick pretty much the entire time.  To make things even more difficult I found out I had gestational diabetes.  At my 33 week ultrasound the doctor told me that Liam's humorous and femur measurements were short, which is know as a soft marker. Before this ultrasound all my ultrasounds came up "normal". The doctor proceeded to tell me that I had a 1 in 150 chance that my baby would be born with Down syndrome. For a very long time I hated my doctor for telling me this. With this information hanging over my head I was a mess, I cried, I was angry, I couldn't understand how this could possibly happen to me. At 37 weeks I went into labor and three days later I gave birth to a healthy beautiful baby boy. Liam weighed in at 7 Lbs and measured 19 inches. He was absolutely precious. The second I saw him though I knew, I knew he had Down syndrome. I could see it, but no one else could or they decided not to see it. Through genetic testing we confirmed that Liam did have Down syndrome. The next few months were dark for me. I mourned the life I wanted for my child. I cried. I just couldn't understand. 

As a new mom, already not knowing what I was doing, add low muscle tone into the picture.... it's a game changer. Two days after we were released from the hospital we were re-admitted. I had no idea that Liam wasn't latching on, he lost 11% of his body weight was extremely dehydrated and extremely jaundiced. I felt terrible! How could I not know that he wasn't nursing, how could I think his constant crying was normal? I thank god every day that something worse didn't happen due to my inexperience. Low muscle tone, tongue tied and nipple shields were my new reality. I worked closely with a lactation consultant for a full three months to get Liam to nurse successfully.  We worked tirelessly together to figure out this dance called nursing, I pumped and bottle fed meantime. Our hard work paid off, literally at the three month mark he just got it. It was such a big moment, I was so happy I didn't give up or give in. Everyone around me was telling me to just give him formula. 21 months later and we are still nursing strong. Like our nursing adventure, every milestone has been just like that. We work and work and work to get Liam to achieve his next milestone, and then one day he just does it.  Liam is amazing and silly and smart, it just takes him a little longer to do things.  It's truly amazing watching his determination and motivation to achieve what he wants.

  Every single day I celebrate the little things, all the things that parents of a "typical" child would over look.  I have forever been changed in such an amazing way.  Now I look to the future with optimism and hope, and I know that it's just an extra chromosome ... It doesn't define what a wonderful little human he is.

Thank you Jennifer for sharing your story!! 

Liam is AMAZING!

DSAM: Sara's Story

Sara and Liam

Down Syndrome Awareness Month gives me a beautiful opportunity to share not only my story but the stories of mother's who are raising children with Down Syndrome. It is important that we share our honest experiences in life in hopes of supporting, inspiring or generating genuine empathy for others.

Blake and Liam

Sara and I met because of our boy's 'designer genes'. It turns out that this "little something extra" comes with a whole host of benefits like instant connections with people with whom you may have otherwise not met. Sara is an Artist and Art Teacher. She is also an advocate for her son Liam and mother to the lovely Lupe. She is strongly connected to the Spanish speaking community and is a founding member of CCDSN (Central Coast Down Syndrome Network) along with myself and other fabulous mother/advocates you will meet over the coming weeks as I feature their stories.

Sara and I

Sara has graciously agreed to be the first to share her story in honor of DSAM 2015!

It’s Fall, time to start thinking about costumes and pumpkins and orange colored things.  Or pink cause it’s also Breast Cancer Awareness month.  For me, it’s also an “Awareness”month I never thought I’d be so connected to.  It’s Down Syndrome Awareness month.  There are SO many things that cross my mind every day and I could write for hours and hours. Some is positive and hopeful and some is difficult.  It’s the same roller coaster as with any child, but I definitely believe it to be more intense.  

I find myself sometimes on the defensive because I hear so many stories from others; hard stories about ignorant comments from strangers or low expectations from professionals. Part of me can’t believe it because for the most part we’ve had positive experiences .  I wonder what I would say in these situations.  Would I think on my feet fast enough to have a good response? 

And then there’s these interesting little things that happen.  The person that looks at Liam for a while- and I start to wonder what’s up- and then all of a sudden they hand him a balloon.  The preschool dad that shows special interest and then I find out he has a niece with DS.  I try to catch myself from thinking that the extra attention or the long looks are critical, but rather, that person may have a connection with Down syndrome I don’t know about.  It’s so easy to be quick to judge others and their actions or words, but we just never know where they’re coming from do we?

I wonder about the kids at school, years older than Liam that take a special interest in him, the grocery clerk that always asks after him.  I wonder if big sister notices and thinks that all little siblings receive this attention, or is it just her brother?  Is she ok with it?

Sometimes I catch myself wondering, do the comments of “Oh, he’s doing so well!” mean that he really is, or were their expectations so low that they are surprised to see him be like a normal kid?  It’s the “high” and “low” functioning thing that my friends with kids on the Autism spectrum deal with a lot.  I’m not even sure what I think of those terms.  I am constantly balancing between accepting Liam just the way he is and constantly working to help move him forward.  I guess both are necessary.  

I have learned, more than anything else, that I need to be my son’s advocate because no one else is as invested as I am in his well being.  I research and ask for things from professionals.  Me.  All the time.  It’s exhausting.  I’m tired sometimes of not being able to take the medical or educational experts advise at face value, it would be so easy. But I have to research everything myself too: I am his mom and I know him best.  I have files full of research and reports from audiologist, nutritionist, chiropractor, Ear Nose Throat Specialist, Endocrinologist, etc etc.  It never stops. And he’s basically a healthy kid!

So, here I am all over the place in my thoughts: up down up down. But Liam is doing well.  He’s in preschool now and he participates, and other kids play with him.  He comes home repeating little parts of songs.  I feel good about taking him to school and trust that he’s in the best place.  I knew it was a good fit.  When he strays from the line, other parents gently guide him back.  I didn’t have to say anything special, they just do it, because we lucked out with a nice group.  And the teachers encourage parent participation.  It’s hard to believe that if I had sent him to a Special Day Class it would not have been encouraged to stay as much as I am doing now (And I hate the meetings that constantly remind you of how delayed your child is).  That being said, if I stay to help, it’s with other kids, or helping with material prep in some other part of the room, because he doesn’t do as well when we are there!  He’s stretching his wings and testing his limits.

What I have learned with my son applies to all children, and myself as well: keep expectations high. Don’t put limits on yourself or others, keep reaching up!  And, hard work pays off.  It’s not easy, but things worth working hard for rarely are.

Thank you so much Sara for sharing your story with Evolution Revolution readers. Can you identify with Sara? leave us a comment!