If you are a member of the National Down Syndrome Congress, then you will be receiving the Spring Edition of Down Syndrome News (DSN) with my Bubba’s gracing the cover! Not a member? Sucks for you! :-)~
When Ethan and I went to visit our friend, Bethany and family, we went out on a trail to take some pictures of Ethan walking. It was very cold and we were not out long, but Bethany captured this beautiful shot that still makes me tear up when I see it. I know that I have posted about it before, but I really think that he appears to be crossing the finish line of a marathon. How appropriate. Ethan has definitely been running marathon after marathon with everything he has been faced with. The picture captured a moment- there he was standing tall, hands up in the air, smiling as he walked to me- happy as could be.
This one picture inspired me to write an article. I contacted Julie, the DSN editor and told her that I would love to write an article about Ethan’s accomplishments. Most stories that you read about people with Down syndrome are all happy-go-lucky stories, which I think are GREAT! Don’t get me wrong, but there is also the reality out there that not all of us have THAT story. Some of us keep our stories and challenges private or feel that we don’t belong because we walk that fine line of needing support and possibly scaring a new parent who either just found out there child would have Ds prenatally or is just receiving the news postpartum.
My point of the article was that Ethan IS a success story! He IS a superstar! He HAS touched many lives- more than I even know about! We should ALL be supporting each other, regardless of “function” and we should ALL be proud, because God does NOT make mistakes and my son is proof of that.
How exciting!! I haven't read the article yet, but I will. :)
ReplyDeleteKristen -- you rock! And Ethan, you are a super star. Now I can tell everybody I know a celebrity.
ReplyDeleteAwesome, that made me cry. Yep, Ethan is a SuperStar -- regardless of level of "functioning"! You know I take those words to heart.
ReplyDeleteHam it up Ethan! Congrats on making the cover.
ReplyDeleteI got mine today and it was awesome! Yay!
ReplyDeleteThat's AWESOME! I so wish I were still a member!!! SO... can you post your article HERE for us to read?!
ReplyDeleteDear Faulkners,
ReplyDeleteI can't wait until we get our copy! Wonderful photo of Ethan and it sounds as if your article is one that is definitely needed. We all try to focus on the positive and in doing so some people can feel excluded. That is something I always worry about in our groups. But you are right that no matter where our kids are developmentally they are superstars. Jeremy has difficulty keeping up with others in his program but he like all the rest find areas in which they can shine.
Beautiful post. Beautiful boy (and mom). Beautiful photo.
ReplyDelete---Jen
It is such an awesome article! Ethan rocks and so do you!
ReplyDeleteEthan, Congratulations!!! Now everyone other than us know you're a winning and rising superstar! I am so proud of you, your mom, and dad. Just wish you weren't so far away. Hugs and kisses always...xoxo
ReplyDeleteI just got mine in the mail today and read your article! It was so beautifully written and what a wonderful message you conveyed. I haven't "known" you for long since we just met at the NDSC convention, so I didn't know a lot of Ethan's history - he has come so far and fought so hard in his life already! You're right that he is touching more lives then you'll probably ever know. Thanks for sharing his story!
ReplyDeleteHe's a superstar in all of our books!!!
ReplyDelete