An Afghan For Joey V.

Mister Joey received his sea and sand afghan!!  This yarn is amazing!  It was the first time I worked with a natural yarn!  It is 85% wool and 15% mohair.  It was donated by Brown Sheep Yarn Company!  (The money Joey's family paid for yarn will go towards an afghan for another individual.)

You can read about Joey's afghan on his family blog, here.

Here is Joey with is afghan!

You can read all about Joey on his family's blog, Our Bundle Of Joey!

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An Afghan For Joey V.

An Afghan For Matthew H.

Mr. Matthew has his very own afghan! You can see his mom's post about it here!

As you can see, it was love at first snuggle!

You can read all about Matthew, his parents and his (soon to be) little sister on their blog, Bill and Ria!

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An Afghan For Matthew H.

DJ's Family

Mister DJ recently went in to have some surgical procedures done and look what was right beside him!

What better comfort than an afghan!

DJ is healing well!  You can read all about him and his family on their blog, Ohio Patrick Family!

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DJ's Family

Sarah and Bridget's Families

Because I cannot even begin to write a more touching post than Sarah's mom, Joyce, I am going to snag two entries from Class of 2008 and re-post them here!

From Sarah's mom, Joyce:

by Joyce: For the past several months, we have had a button on our side roll that we titled "Where Fiber Meets Down Syndrome." It takes you to the official blog for the T21 Traveling Afghan created by CJ Field. The idea was simple, yet brilliant. One afghan that would travel with a journal from one family to another to spread awareness for Down syndrome. Sarah was lucky enough to receive the beautiful afghan last week.

When we were given the shipping instructions for the next person on the list, I was elated. We had been following this blog for sometime. The posts are always beautifully written and so full of love. Sometime around the holiday season, Lisa announced that she and her husband had fallen in love with a baby girl on Reece's Rainbow and would be starting the process of adoption. I was so touched by this gesture and curious to know more about this wonderful family. That evening, I spent a few hours going back to the beginning of Bridget's Light. It is a touching story in so many ways.

So with the afghan staying in Ohio, I thought it might be fun to meet in person. Lisa and I arranged a convenient location near Columbus. I truly did not anticipate how magical the meeting would be.

When we first arrived, Bridget's older sister Sara was holding her. Sarah immediately was smitten with young Bridget.

They hugged and embraced with sweet ease.

Sarah got down to hand Bridget the afghan and I watched as the two shared an undeniable common bond. Several chronological years separate the two, yet they were communicating as though they had been together before.

They interacted like two long lost friends. It was pure magic to watch. I looked at Bridget and saw little Sarah sitting there, and I believe Lisa looked at Sarah and saw a grown up Bridget. It simply made my heart swell.

 One quick picture of the four of us before we got in the car to drive back to Cleveland. The entire way home Sarah could not stop talking about Bridget. I think she fell in love. It was such a pleasure to meet beautiful Lisa and her two adorable daughters. I can't think of a better way to celebrate World Down Syndrome Day than this.

And here is Sarah's post regarding the visit!

When I went to bed on Saturday, I knew it would be my last night with the afghan.

Today I was meeting Bridget to give it to her.

She is so cute!!

I just love her.

We became pals real quick.

I showed her the journal that is traveling with the afghan.

I think she liked seeing my pictures.

End post.

Bridget's mom also made a post about the exchange on their blog! And stay tuned for Bridget's own post about HER visit with the afghan!

As you can see, Bridget and Sarah truly define the ties that bind!  You can keep up with each of them on their blogs, Class of 2008 and Bridget's Light!

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Sarah and Bridget's Families

An Afghan For Zoey N.

Miss Zoey from Little Wonders received her afghan! If you aren't familiar with this little one, she has quite the story to tell!

Paraphrased from her family's blog:

Zoey's entrance into this world marked the commencement of a miraculous journey- a journey of challenges and obstacles, a journey of beauty, grace, and hope. She made her entrance with an extra 21st chromosome, and so began her family's walk with Down syndrome. One extra chromosome, a multitude of blessings, trials, and lessons.

Her frail body arrived with AV Canal Complete and Transient Myeloproliferative Disorder, a transient form of leukemia, necessitating a lengthy stay in Children's Hospital Los Angeles. It was also determined that Zoey had suffered an in-utero stroke.

Despite these initial trials, Zoey flaunted her feisty spirit and persisted on to complete a successful heart repair surgery. In February 2008, Zoey was diagnosed with Infantile Spasms, a catastrophic seizure disorder emanating from her stroke site. After various therapies and treatments, Zoey's seizures finally were brought under control with Topamax, a drug that gave Zoey the upper hand on epilepsy. She is also blessed and lucky to be a candidate for a hemispherectomy if her seizures were ever to return.Strange to call that lucky but it truly is just that: lucky.

In October 2008, Zoey was diagnosed with AML M7, Acute Myelogenous Leukemia, and, in true Zoey fashion,she remains in remission after six rounds of chemotherapy. But to limit Zoey's existence and achievements to a medical timeline or the confines of a genetic condition would be the ultimate disservice to this little fighter girl and God.

Zoey is a testament of God's faithfulness and timing. Zoey is a beacon of light in a shadowy world of hardship. She is an illustration of perfection in her innocence and resiliency. She is a representation of all that is good. She is a daughter and a sister who has been the guide for her family and their faith on a walk into the unknown. She serves as the captain of a ship on uncertain seas. She is an expert teacher on living each day and each moment in the present. Though her strides thus far have already been numerous, she undoubtedly has much more to share with this world.

As you can see, a picture is worth a thousand words!

If you want to learn more about Miss Zoey, or keep up with her, check out her family's blog Little Wonders!

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An Afghan For Zoey N.

An Afghan For Brooklyn S.

The beautiful Miss Brooklyn has received her afghan!

Per her mom, Brooklyn loves it!  What a beautiful little girl!

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An Afghan For Brooklyn S.

Charming!

I typically don't wear jewelry unless it has significance to me. I received a charm necklace from Addy and Sam in exchange for an afghan and I recently also received a matching charm bracelet! The necklace has two charms, one with Em's name and one with B's. The bracelet has charms with their first and middle names, as well as a charm with Baby J's name and a heart stamp on it.

Em loves to point out each charm and tell me who's name is on it, just as she does with my necklace. I'm all about finding ways to work on her letter and word recognition!

(Keep Addy and Sam in mind for any gift giving needs you may have! Not only do you get a great product, but you help support a business run by one of our own moms!)

Due to Em's interest, I thought a great birthday gift would be a charm bracelet of her very own! I can't believe my "baby" will be six this year!! Thanks to this project, I come across a LOT of links to stores and items in other countries. One of the sites I've found is a great online store called Molly Brown, designer children's jewellery.

I immediately fell in love with their charm bracelet. The charms are colorful and more childlike than I have found at other locations. Plus, it's something Em can add to over the years. I thought now would be a great time to start something meaningful she can collect and add to.

Do you have any collections or meaningful rituals you engage in with your child? How do you feel it has helped his or her development?

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Charming!

A New Series!

Since this blog gets a bit of traffic (presumably) from new parents or newly diagnosed parents of Down syndrome, I wanted to start a new series on the blog about general information pertaining to our kiddos.  This will also provide some "filler" information when we are waiting on pictures of the Traveling afghan or an afghan of their own!

With summer around the corner, one struggle I have with Em is SHOES.  Being a flip flop addict myself, Em wants to wear them so badly, but I just don't feel safe with her wearing them.  She still stumbles and trips over her feet quite a bit in them.

Having Down syndrome, it's hard to just run off to your local store and pick up any old pair of shoes.  Kids with Down syndrome tend to have chubbier feet and need wider width shoes.  In order to determine what size she is, I use this guide on finding your child's foot measure.  They even have videos that were a huge help!

Wide width or not, I don't think one should have to sacrifice fashion for function.  I typically find shoes that fit Em, but are less than adorable, or shoes that are adorable, but less than comfortable for her.  I did find a site with adorable girls sandals that have a wide range of styles, colors and (most importantly) FIT!

For the most part, our kids are more typical than not.  However, clothing and shoe fittings can be a bit exhausting when you're trying to balance an odd fit.

What struggles/solutions have you experience or found in regards to dressing your child?

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A New Series!

Sarah's Family

Sarah and her mom, Joyce, keep a blog entitled Class of 2008. I love following Sarah (a 2008 high school graduate) on her life journey! I will post some of the pictures of Sarah with the Traveling Afghan and link the numerous blog posts her and her mom have made as well!

Upon arrival, Sarah opened up the afghan and took a look at the journal that accompanies the afghan on its travels!

Then, the afghan joined Sarah at music therapy! (You have to click on the link to Sarah's blog to hear about her session with her teacher, Bonnie!)

After a strange night for Sarah and Joyce, the afghan became quite the symbol of comfort for them both!  (Again, go read their post!)

Sarah also took the afghan to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum and took some great photos and a video!!  (You'll have to visit their blog to see it, since I have no idea how to put it here!)

Their next stop?  The memorial for Cleveland firefighters who lost their lives in the line of duty. 

And one of Sarah and the afghan in front of a gorgeous view in Cleveland!

Please take a few moments to visit Class of 2008 and learn all about Sarah and her family!  She is certainly one remarkable young woman!

Sarah,

Thank you so much for taking such great care of the afghan and taking it to so many places!  I am honored to have you as a member of this project!!

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Sarah's Family

An Afghan For Lilly B

I don't have photos of Miss Lilly WITH her afghan, but here is the one that was sent to her!

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An Afghan For Lilly B

Ben's Family

Look at this absolutely adorable little man!

Mr. Ben took his time with the afghan in Ohio and, as you can see, they made fast friends!!

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Ben's Family

An Afghan For Konner S.

Adorable Mister Konner has received his afghan!  As you can see, he is quite in love with it!

 

  

  

What a cutie!!  I hope Konner enjoys his afghan for years to come!

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An Afghan For Konner S.

Spread The Word To End The Word!!

Today, March 3, 2010, is National End the R-Word Day, a time for us to stop and reflect on how our own speech affects those around us. Please take some time today to join the over 80,000 individuals who have pledged to eliminate the r-word from their everyday conversations. You can take the pledge at R-Word.Org!

Spread The Word to End The Word!!

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Spread The Word To End The Word!!

An Afghan For Isaac W.

I frequently cruise the web, looking for articles on individuals with Down syndrome and their families.  On one such day, I came across an article about Isaac Watson on the Einstein Syndrome website.  The article explained how Isaac became a member of his family and announced their loss when Isaac went to meet Jesus.

I immediately contacted the family and offered to send them a memorial afghan.  Barbara, Isaac's mother, accepted my offer.  Her goal is to share the afghan with a new member of the Down syndrome community when the time presents itself.  For now, they are simply holding onto a piece of love from afar.

A few days ago, his family celebrated his ninth birthday, the first since they lost Isaac.  His mother sent me the following pictures with the afghan.

 

  

This family has an amazing faith in God.  I admire their strength and dedication, both in Isaac's life and in his passing.

I hope the afghan brings them a bit of peace, as well as the family which receives it from them.

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An Afghan For Isaac W.