Memorial Day
Month: May 2016
Blog #146~The Many Faces of Nick
Blog #146~The Many Faces of Nick
I was cleaning out the camera roll on my iPhone the other day. There are so many funny pictures of Nick. My son is 22 years old, he has Down syndrome and autism. This week, a light hearted piece, featuring the many faces of Nick.
I could never get Nick to wear hat and gloves on any frigid, winter day here in Chicago. He’ll leave the house with them on. But, flings them off before the yellow bus pulled away from the curb. Yet, he willingly wears hats and gloves (on his own terms) around the house…….
“Elmer Fud Nick”
“Snow Bunny Nick”
“Gloved Nick”
“Hoodie Nick”
Then, there are the random things he gets a hold of……
“Suction Cup Nick”
“Wrestling Team Nick”
“Googly Eyes Nick”
“Salad Ninja Nick”
“Silly Nose Nick”
“Seatbelt Nick”
“Fashionista Nick”
“Collegiate Nick”
Here’s a couple using the CamWow and Snap Chat Apps…….
“Infared Nick”
“Twin Nicks” (Can you imagine that?)
“Pantomime Nick”
“Rainbow Burst Nick”
Hey Nick, The Village People called. They want their costume back…
I hope you enjoyed the many faces of Nick. He’s quite a character. I love this guy and his sense of humor. Many thanks to his respite caregivers, Jodi and Kelsey for capturing several of these moments. Have a great week, and take some time do something silly like Nick. That’s what is in my noggin this week!
~Teresa
Follow Nick:
@Down Syndrome With A Slice Of Autism
#nickdsautism
@Down Syndrome With A Slice of Autism
Blog #145~Hitting Milestones, Moving On
Blog #145~Hitting Milestones, Moving On
This weekend we had a big milestone. Nick’s brother Hank, graduated from Northern Illinois University with a degree in Marketing and a minor in Communication. Nick is 22 years old and has Down syndrome and autism. He recently reached his own milestone, finishing up the Post-Secondary transition program. Nick now attends an adult day program. He has a full day with activities including on site activities, community trips, vocational jobs (recycling, cleaning both on site and at a local church), and working a food pantry). He keeps busy and is very happy in this new program.
On the way to the NIU campus, we passed by his old high school. I pointed MVHS out to Nick and he instantly replied and signed, “All done”. My niece, Anna, their Grandpa Jim, and I were astonished. Nick recognized that he had been there, done that and had moved on.
Nick at MVHS graduation a few years ago, held at NIU Convocation Center…
The mood in the NIU Convocation Center was festive. Nick swayed back and forth in his seat to the music of the steel drum band jamming in the background. I’ve never heard the Pomp and Circumstance played quite like this. Instead of getting teary eyed as I normally would, it felt more like a delightful celebration.
NIU Steel Drum Band=Awesome!
Nick was very patient and kept quiet through all the speeches. It was a lovely day, and a proud moment for the whole family. Nick’s Dad was full of pride, as he is an alum of NIU and also a marketing major.
Nick looks like he is eyeing an alarm in this picture, doesn’t he? He didn’t pull one on graduation day (whew)! But, he did get another last Friday at his adult day program site.
Current count=36 fire alarm pulls.
At last, both of my sons are done with school and moving onto their adult lives. My wish is for Hank and Nick is for them to feel productive, contribute to society, and be happy in all they do. I am very proud of my guys. It was a good day at sea. That’s what’s in my noggin this week.
~Teresa
Follow Nick:
@Down Syndrome With A Slice Of Autism
#nickdsautism
@Down Syndrome With A Slice Of Autism
Mother’s Day Break
Mother’s Day Break
I hope that everyone had a wonderful Mother’s Day. This week, I am giving myself a break on posting a blog. My son Nick, has Down syndrome and autism and is 22 years old. He is doing great in his adult day program. Well, except for one thing. Yes, the spell has been broken. But, he did manage to make it 3 full months without pulling a fire alarm.
Current fire alarm pull count=35 pulls since third grade
It’s Nick’s world, the rest of us are just trying to keep up! That’s what is in my noggin this week.
~Teresa
Follow Nick: (See what he’s doing with a mallet)
@Down Syndrome With A Slice Of Autism
@Down Syndrome With A Slice Of Autism
#nickdsautism
Blog #144~Inspiring Books Related to Down Syndrome
Blog #144~Inspiring Books Related to Down Syndrome
As Mother’s Day approaches, I wanted to highlight a few more books. These books would make a nice gift for a mom who has a child with Down syndrome. My son Nick is 22 years old and has Down syndrome and autism. It’s been quite a journey, one that I’ve been writing about for several years. Here are a few books highlighted in this month’s newsletter from the National Association for Down Syndrome (NADS) www.nads.org. Thank you NADS for the great list! I also added in a couple of more that I found on Amazon:
Adams, Rachel, Raising Henry (Yale University Press, 2013). A Columbia University professor reflects on raising her son with Down syndrome, on genetic testing and on the paradoxical role of disability in our culture.
Becker, Amy Julia, A Good and Perfect Gift: Faith, Expectations, and a Little Girl Named Penny (Bethany House Publishers, 2011). The Princeton Theological Seminary graduate explores the changes in her life and faith after the birth of her daughter with Down syndrome.
Groeberg, Jennifer Graf, Road Map to Holland: How I found My Way Through My Son’s First Two Years With Down Syndrome (NAL Trade 2008). A mother describes the period after her son’s birth.
Hale, Natalie, Down Syndrome Parenting 101: Must-Have Advice for Making Your Life Easier (Woodbine House, 2011). Practical, uplifting advice covering important issues associated with Down syndrome.
Hampton, Kelle, Bloom: Finding Beauty in the Unexpected-A Memoir (William Morrow, 2012). A popular blogger (Enjoying the Small Things) reflects on the changes in her life after the birth of her daughter with Down syndrome.
Lee, Marjorie Sullivan, Bloom where you are Planted (Tau-Publishing, 2012). The story of her son Kevin, and how their lives were transformed becoming advocates for over four decades.
Murray, Kathleen PhD, Count It All Joy (Westbow Press 2015). A mother’s journey including lessons learned from her son with Down syndrome.
Silverman, Amy, My Heart Can’t Believe It: A Story of Science, Love and Down Syndrome (Woodbine House 2016). Journalist, blogger and NPR contributor Amy Silverman recounts the impact on her life of the birth of her daughter Sophie, and the gradual evolution of her attitudes about Down syndrome.
Soper, Kathryn, The Year My Son and I Were Born (GPP Life 2010). A memoir which records the author’s experiences after the birth of her son with Down syndrome.
Soper, Kathryn Gifts: Mothers Reflect on How Children with Down Syndrome Enrich Their Lives (Woodbine House, 2007). A collection of personal stories, sixty-three mothers describe the gifts of respect, strength, delight, perspective, and love, which their child with Down syndrome has brought into their lives.
Soper, Kathryn Gifts 2 How People With Down Syndrome Enrich the World (Woodbine House, 2009). The follow-up to the bestselling first volume, Gifts 2 presents a broader perspective on Down syndrome and life by including passionate stories by siblings, grandparents, cousins, aunts and uncles, as well as mothers of older children. Friends, teachers, medical professionals, and coaches also share the joys of knowing and caring for someone with Down syndrome.
The power of a book can give you inspiration and hope. Back in 1994, when Nick was just a few months old, I found that book. Count Us In: Growing Up with Down Syndrome (A Harvest Book) was written by two young men, Jason Kingsley and Mitchell Levitz. I clung to every word. They shared their innermost thoughts, feelings, hopes, and dreams, their lifelong friendship—and their experiences growing up with Down syndrome. The book is smart, charming, witty and truly shows their full potential. Thank you Jason and Mitchell!
In the current addition, the authors discuss their lives since then—milestones and challenges, developments expected and unexpected—in a new afterword….
Please feel free to share this book list and any of my blogs. I write to raise awareness, and more important to offer hope and encouragement. Next month, I will highlight books written by fathers! That’s what is in my noggin this week.
~Teresa
Follow Nick:
@Down Syndrome With A Slice Of Autism
@Down Syndrome With A Slice Of Autism
#nickdsautism
Down Syndrome with a Slice of Autism 