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I wipe asses, noses, sticky hands and bloody knees. I bake, craft, clean, launder, entertain, cook, guide, advise. Oh, and in my spare time I am also a wife, business owner and my own person with needs/desires/passions. I AM brave. I am so thankful in hindsight for this woman who had the guts to face me and project my truth back to me.
I AM BRAVE.
I am brave because I focus my efforts on my son’s abilities not his disabilities. My son is smart, loving, strong and spirited. He understands what you say to him (receptive language skills on par with his age of 2.5) he just can’t respond verbally ... yet. I hear no “mamma” or “I love you” verbalized but it is okay, I can feel it.
He signs for “more”, loves to dance, says and waves bye-bye, gives the best hugs, loves books, music and is willing to try anything with no fear. Blake and I entertain professional women all week long together, occupational and speech therapists.I work tirelessly to help my son achieve all the physical and verbal skills that come naturally to most, but for him take’s more work and effort.
For example, Blake is naturally attracted to toys that require jumping but as of today he does not have that skill. In the face of challenges like these my attitude is “oh, well, maybe tomorrow”. Maybe tomorrow he will say mom? or mamma? We just keep working, moving forward, and being brave.
This is not to say that everything in my chromosomal plus world is fabulous and positive. Blake also throw tantrums, spits, head bangs, defies me, pulls his sisters hair and is constantly destroying or undoing everything in his path. Sounds like a typical 2.5yr old? I don't know but it is typical for Blake.
You have to be BRAVE to be a mother of a child with Down Syndrome and you also have to be just as BRAVE to be a mother to ANY child.
Every mother reading this is brave as we all face our own unique issues with our kids of all ages.
I am a mother of two fabulous children and a step mother to two others, each with their own unique talents and challenges.
This is what I want to world to know about Down Syndrome; these individuals are more like your children than they are different. I still face the same struggles and challenges as you do as a mother, just mine last a little longer or take more effort to accomplish or overcome but believe me, we WILL accomplish them.Together. Bravely.
Blake & Lisa
Blake was also recently featured as a model in the Little Maven clothing line by actress
Tori Spelling. Click HERE to connect with
Little Maven on Facebook.