3.21

Today, 3-21, is World Down Syndrome Day.  It is a day where people all over the world work to create a single global voice for advocating for the rights, inclusion and well being of people with Down syndrome.  The specific day of 3-21 was chosen for the trisomy of the 21st chromosome.  
 
We've tried to raise awareness in previous Sycamore Sisters blog posts such as THIS and THIS and THIS.  I could go on and on about Down syndrome - what it's like to have a child with Down syndrome (simply AWESOME), the need for spreading awareness/acceptance/inclusion, etc.   But, I need to save some of that for future posts!  :) 

So, for today, we thought we'd give you a little peek into a little angel we know with 21 chromosomes.  We want to share 21 things (we can't say "facts" because some are "opinions"...but they are TRUE opinions!) about Little Lauryn.  Many of these "factopinions" are from Lauryn's siblings - biological and "sycamorical".  

1.  21 is a lucky number in our family...I (Jen) was born on Oct 21...John (Jen's husband) was born on July 21...and Lauryn was born on August 21 - with 21 chromosomes.  (She is 19 months old today!).  

This picture was taken at Community North Hospital by the wonderful hospital photographer!  Lauryn was a little over 3 weeks old. 

2.  Lauryn likes to pull hair (the kids started a game with her when she was a few months old to encourage her grasp...now it's just a game to her to get a reaction!).   (Will, Ben and Maddie)

3.  She has specific games she likes to play with Tyler (that he's "made up" with her)...the latest being a game to help her make the "O" sound!

Tyler showing her the "O"...

Lauryn's "O"...

She's laughing "with" him, not "at" him...right?  :)

4.  She likes to climb on me. (Maddie)

5.  She loves to play ball.  (Ben)

6.  She's cute!  (Andrew)

7.  Lauryn can do sign language, speak a few words, crawl (in her own way!), pull up, cruise furniture, stand by herself momentarily, and will be walking very soon!  She recently let go of the coffee table to step towards the couch - BY HERSELF!  (Life as we know it will soon change).

8.  She has a keen sense for telling when someone has left the pantry door open...and she can sneak in to get the cat food and water!

9.  She is always playful!  (Matthew)  She likes to do things herself (like pull toy tubs down) and gets into everything!

"Found my phone!"

10.  Lauryn has a big work-out three times/week during OT, PT and Speech/Language.  

11.  She always closes doors!  (Ben)

12.  She loves glasses!  (Andrew) - and will (sneakily and quickly) grab them off a face!

13.  She is a big fan of music/songs and games like "Peek-A-Boo"!

14.  She is a super special Goddaughter.  (Tyler)

15.  Lauryn's favorite foods are pizza and macaroni & cheese.  

16.  She crawls (or crawl-scoots) REALLY fast!  (Will)

17.  Lauryn's "looks" crack us up! You can tell exactly what she's thinking - she has a tendency to raise her eyebrows to help her expressions!

You want me to do WHAT?

18.  She loves to blow kisses!  (Maddie)

Excuse my macaroni and cheese while I blow you this kiss...

19.  Lauryn loves to follow (chase) the cats around the house.  

20.  One of her favorite parts of the day is when Daddy comes through the door around 5:00 pm...she is a Daddy's Girl! 

21. Even though she is a girl, she is in our Boy Club!  (Matthew) - let it be known she is the ONLY girl in the Boy Club - for now, anyway.  Claire and Maddie are NOT happy about this. 

We could share at least another 2100 wonderful things about Little Lauryn...she's simply AMAZING and a huge blessing to our family, community and world.  Help us continue to spread awareness by reminding others that we are WAY more alike than different.  

Happy World Down Syndrome Day!

♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ 

  

10 on 10

Hi Sycamore Sisters' Followers!

We are starting a new segment on our blog. It is going to be called 10 on 10. We are going to post 10 interesting pictures, activities, and/or anything that we have done over the last month. Our first two 10 on 10 segments will be about the Sycamore Sisters so you can get to know us a little better! This month you are going to find out more about Julie...enjoy!

1. Devotionals. If I start out my day with few minutes of quiet time, my day just goes better. Do I get this done all the time? Absolutely not, but I do notice a big difference when I do! This year, I am using Jesus Calling by: Sarah Young and Grace for the Moment by: Max Lucado.

 

2. Basket Case. I love baskets. They are all over my house. They help me stay organized. I like them because they are a pretty way to store things and they are portable so they can easily be moved where you need them. 

 


3. My Calendar/Planner. I am obsessed with my planner. I love it! It is my life saver. I put everything in it. I really would feel lost without it. This year I am using a Life Planner from Erin Condren.  It is the most organized planner I have ever had. Sometimes, I just open it up and stare at it! Ha! Obsessed!!! 

 

 

4. Lip Stuff. I have a serious addiction to lip stuff. I have so many different kinds. I have been known to just wander down the lip care aisle at Target. I use it all the time. My purse is loaded up with more than I need at all times! 

 

5. Super Sensitive Skin. I have crazy sensitive skin. It has always been like that! I have learned to live with it. There are far worse things to deal with, so I don’t complain too often. I have found two products that make a huge difference in my life! Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser and Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cream. I couldn’t live without them!

 

6. Caffeine. Seriously, I have to have it. I would be non-functioning without it! I love a warm cup of coffee in the morning. I usually switch to iced black tea in the afternoon. I love my Iced Tea Maker. I brew a pitcher every couple days. 

 

7. Kindle. I love to read. It is how I relax and escape. I just recently purchased a Kindle Touch and I love it. I was afraid I wasn’t going to like it because I love holding a book in my hands. I haven’t had any problems adjusting! I love it! I love being able to snuggle up with my Kindle and dive into a book! 

 

8.Downton Abbey. My new obsession! I am new to this series but I am in love! I love the whole thing...the characters, the clothes, the accents, the amazing scenery, everything! If you haven’t starting watching yet...do it!!! You will not be disappointed!! 

 

9. St. Patrick’s Day.  It’s kind of a big deal around here...we are Gallagher's, after all! We love to celebrate our Irish heritage! I also grew up in a family that celebrated St. Patrick’s Day. You know...Lucky Charms for breakfast, green milk, all green clothes. In fact, this year my parents are having us over for our annual corn beef & cabbage dinner along with  Irish soda bread & Bailey’s Brownies! We can’t wait!!!

 

10. My family! I am exceedingly blessed to have three amazing kiddos and a wonderful husband! They make up my world. 

 

Hope you have enjoyed our first 10 on 10 segment! 

Be the Change

Today is an important day.  It’s a day where every single one of us - young and not-so-young - can work together to make a change.  A real change...one that will make a positive impact...one that will make our world a better place.  

It’s really pretty simple.  All you have to do is spread the word...to your family...to your friends...to your neighbors...to your co-workers...to people you meet on the street.

Spread the word to end the word.

What word, you ask?  A word that begins with “R”.  The R-WORD. 

RETARD

(and the word "retarded")

The R-word (retarded) originated as a medical term to describe a specific clinical meaning/connotation.  The pejorative (I just learned this fancy word - it means having negative connotations; especially : tending to disparage or belittle) form of the word, however, has taken over in our society...so much so that the words “mental retardation” and "mentally retarded" have been removed from federal health, education and labor policy and replaced with people first language such as “individual with an intellectual disability” and “intellectual disability” (as a result of Rosa’s Law).

Some may wonder why using the word is such a big deal.  It’s typically only intended as a joke.  Heck, much of the time, the person is using it to describe him/herself!  

But, it’s not a joke.  It’s negative.  It’s derogatory.  It’s insulting.  It’s offensive. 

It’s hurtful.  

Think about it.  When someone says, “Don’t be such a retard!” or “That was retarded.”, what is the person REALLY saying?  (“Don’t be such an idiot!”...“Don’t be so stupid!”...“That was dumb.”...”That was worthless.”)

Typically, if someone were in the presence of another person(s) whom he/she knew to have an intellectual disability (or in the presence of that person’s parents, grandparents or siblings)...let's say, in the presence of this person...

 

...this said person probably wouldn’t think of using the R-word in front of her (or her family), would he or she?  

If people are cognoscente of using the word in certain situations, it's not a word that should be used.  

So, why use it at all?  

That said, the R-word has also become somewhat of a popular slang word...it often just slips off the tongue.  I'm sure I've said it a time or two in my lifetime (even though this word was/is a big "No-No" in my house).  I've heard people I love dearly use this word - both before and since I've become even more sensitive to the hurtfulness of the word. 


Do people mean to be hurtful or negative or derogatory or offensive to others (or to me) by using the R-word?  Of course not.  But, the fact is, using the word RETARD or RETARDED IS hurtful. 

Starting today (if you haven’t already!), make a pledge to stop using the R-word.  Make a commitment to helping others - young and not-so-young - to become more aware of the hurtfulness of the word and to stop using it.  

One person at a time...telling another person at a time...adds up to a bunch of people.  

It adds up to change.  

Be the change...SPREAD THE WORD to END THE WORD.  

 
Do it for yourself.  Do it for your family.  Do it for your children.  Do it for our world.  

Do it for this beautiful little girl...who, while she may have Down syndrome (associated with an intellectual and developmental disability), is the furthest thing from anything having to do with the R-word!

 

To pledge your support (it’s free!) for the R-Word Campaign, click HERE.

To learn more about WHY you should pledge (did I mention it's free?), click HERE.
For more information on Spread the Word to End the Word, click HERE.
For more information on Rosa’s Law, click HERE.

For some quick facts/resources about Spread the Word to End the Word, click HERE.

P.S.  Love me some Special Olympics and Best Buddies!  ♥♥