August 01, 2010

An Afghan For Chelsea

This adorable little girl is Miss Chelsea! Chelsea received her very own afghan and is showing all the love she can!






You can learn all about Chelsea and her family on their blog, Dream Big!

July 30, 2010

Wysdom's Family

The afghan is enjoying its stay in Ontario, Canada, as you can see from the following photos of Mr. Wysdom and his sister, Blyss!

The afghan arrived just in time to accompany the family on their vacations, so it is continuing to wrack up the miles!



What two beautiful kids!!

You can learn all about Wysdom and his family on their blog, The Wonder of Wysdom!

July 29, 2010

An Afghan For Trey

Another fundraising afghan was given to the IMDSA (International Down Syndrome Association) and ended up in the hands of the super cute Mr. Trey!

As you can see, he was very quick to become acquainted with his new blanket buddy!


Enjoy your afghan, Trey!

Missy, Trey's mom, wanted to share a bit of his story with you! She writes:

My husband Carl and I had been married for 12 years and had no children. We decided to go ahead and adopt since we really were missing having a child. We started the process in 2006 and inquired on several children only to be turned down over and over.

I then saw Treston in June 2008(He had a different name then) and inquired and received a letter in the mail stating they did not select us. This time I just felt so heartbroken, moreso than with the others. About 2 weeks later I received a call from a caseworker asking if I remembered him which I did of course!

She said that they thought he was a good fit for us but that he had special needs. She went on to say he has mosaic Down syndrome and wanted to know if I was still interested, I said of course! She then started telling me all the things he may or may not be able to do and that I should not get my expectations up too high. I said I still want him I don't care what his limitations are.

We met him in August and by September he was legally placed in our home. In November 2008 we adopted him. He was 23 months old when we adopted him in November. He walked at 22 months, he's been completely potty trained since he was 26 months!! He's very smart and the sweetest child I know. He's been such a blessing and although he has mosaic Down syndrome which most would consider a bad thing, it's what makes him HIM, and we would not change one thing!!!

July 28, 2010

Updated Video Montage!!

Here is the updated video of The Traveling Afghan! Every picture I have received from each kiddo who has had the afghan in his/her grasp is included in the video.

This is the basic format, minus any bells and whistles. After paying for premium features for over a year, I have to opt out at this time (hey, we have a baby on the way, every penny counts!) If you are interested in contributing to upgrade our One True Media account, please email me at chandosjoy@gmail.com.

Enjoy! These kiddos are amazing and extraordinary!

An Afghan For The World Down Syndrome Day Fundraiser

On occasion, I have been contacted regarding creating an afghan for a group to raise funds for Down syndrome programs and awareness.

Awhile back I was contacted by The Down Syndrome Association of Orange County regarding their fundraiser for World Down Syndrome Day.

Of course, I said yes!

Here is Mr. Jaden, modeling the afghan that was sent to help this organization raise money! What a handsome young man!! Thank you, Jaden!

July 27, 2010

An Afghan For Julie

Miss Julie contacted me via Facebook and asked if Miss Em and I would like to do an afghan swap. I immediately said yes!!

Not only did Julie make and send Miss Em an afghan, but she sent her a beautiful little baby doll to wrap in it as well! (Picture of that coming soon!) In addition, she made me a pot holder!! I was so excited!

Here is a picture of Julie, as well as one of her and her afghan!


I've said it before, and I'll say it again, I absolutely love seeing young adults involved in the Traveling Afghan and An Afghan of Their Own projects!

Julie is an amazing young woman and I've greatly enjoyed talking with her via Facebook and I cherish my potholder! It hangs very proudly in my kitchen!

Thank you Julie, from both Em and myself!!

July 19, 2010

Alexa's Family and Her "T21 Circle of friends"

Not only has the afghan arrived for time with our THIRD Candadian family, but it went from one family with twins to another! How great is that!?!?

Little Miss Alexa has an extra chromosome, a twin sister AND another sister! Her mom made two posts about the time with the afghan titled, A Magic Blanket: The T21 Traveling Afghan and The "T21 Circle of friends". Please check them out to read all about the family's time with the afghan!

Here is a picture of Alexa AND ten of her friends who also share an extra chromosome! The afghan got some major loving in Canada this last week!!

Miss Alexa


An amazing group photo!


Adam:


Alexa:


Desiree:


Keith:



Mahdi:



Mau:



Mikayla:



Stavros:



Will:



Zander:


Please take a moment to check out Alexa's family's new blog and add it to your list of daily reads!

Hope. Love. Joy. And a little extra!

July 01, 2010

Nathaniel's Family

Nathaniel and twin brother, Carter, are our second Canadian family to receive the afghan! You can read all about the brothers on their family blog, Here Comes The Dynamic Duo!

As you can see, the afghan has gotten double the love this week!!







As you know, a journal goes along with the afghan on its journey so each family can leave their mark on the afghan's progress. Nathaniel's dad is quite the artist and left the following comic in the journal!


Check out their post, The best blanky in the world... for more on their visit with the afghan!

June 30, 2010

Liam's Family

The Traveling Afghan has finally crossed international borders!

The adorable Mr. Liam was the first Canadian to hold the afghan for a week and even got to take it along for the momentous occasion of his baptism!

As you can see, the afghan got off on the right foot in Canada!


June 11, 2010

Sophia's Afghan

This is Sophia.


Sophia is an orphan with Down syndrome in Eastern Europe and today is her GOTCHA day! She is now the daughter of Jennifer and Hector Sanchez and their adorable three boys. (They blog at Three's a Charm.)



The afghan you see in these photos was given to Sophia's family through their local Down syndrome support group and was made by myself. Each square represents a gift or sentiment from each family. Together, they make a beautiful afghan of love.

I can't even tell you what an honor it is to have played a part in this amazing gift and the start of an entire family's new life. You can read the initial post about the afghan here

Welcome home, Sophia!

*If you are interested in learning more about Down syndrome adoptions in other countries, please visit Reece's Rainbow.

June 10, 2010

Riley's Afghan

Adorable Mr. Riley has finally received his afghan!

As you can see, they made fast friends!!






You can check out this post to see more photos of Riley with his afghan and you can learn all about him and his sister, Mickelli (and their parents!) on their blog, Just 2 of a Kind!

June 09, 2010

Down Syndrome Awareness Walk

A lot of people ask what they can do for this project.  I get numerous emails per week asking how they can pitch in.  In one word, YARN!  I can never have enough yarn!!  If you have some you are looking to get rid of, email me at chandosjoy@gmail.com and I will be happy to provide you with a shipping address!  The more yarn I have, the more afghans I can supply to unsuspecting recipients!

This project is about Down syndrome awareness and community ties!  My family is participating in another project and would love your support on it!

This year, our area has its very own Down syndrome Awareness Walk, complete with Rachel Coleman from Signing Time!  I will also have a booth set up representing The T21 Traveling Afghan Project at the walk, which I am all kinds of excited about!!

If you're interested in helping us raise money for this event, please visit our Team Emmalee page and select one of our team mates to donate to!  You can choose from Emmalee's mom, Emmalee's Bubba (aka brother) or Emmalee's Ashley

We will be having numerous fund-raising events between now and October to raise as much money as possible to support programs, education and awareness in our state!

Go Team Emmalee!!  And good luck to ALL the families raising money and awareness for Down syndrome!!

June 08, 2010

Micah's Family

Mr. Micah is actually a local family, but is currently residing out of state for a few years!  Here he is with the afghan, having a blast!





Micah also received some TLC from the afghan during one of his hospital stays!


You can read Micah's account of his visit on this blog post, titled "The Afghan".

I'm happy (and sad) to announce that the afghan is now on its way to another country, after having visited SEVENTEEN US states! But don't worry, it will be back before you know it!

Thanks to Micah and his family for sending it off and showing it a great time!

You can read all about Micah on his family's blog, "A Little Something Extra For Us!"

May 14, 2010

Max's Family

After Lilja, the afghan was passed on to her friend, Max!


Max's mom even had photos taken with Max and the afghan!  How precious are these?!?!





He is just so cute!!  You can check out the following posts on Max's family blog regarding his adventures with the afghan!

It's Our Turn!

Mother's Day

A Few More Pictures

Max Standing and Stepping


We Are Sad To See It Go

You can read all about Max and his family on their blog, Extra Smiles...Extra Giggles...Extra Love

May 13, 2010

Lilja's Family

After the afghan came back home to Wisconsin, Emmalee handed it off to her friend Lilja!

Lilja and the afghan!


It's mine!  Ha ha ha!!


Lilja handed off the afghan to her friend Max at one of our monthly Down syndrome family play dates!


As you can see, there was one HECK of a turnout at the playgroup!


Top Row: Michelle and Ruby, Debbie and Aaron, Karen and Rex, Tina and Brady, Heather and Clementine, Maria and Hendrik

Bottom Row: Christine and Lilja, Laurie and Teagan, Sara and Max, Melanie and Logan, Tina and Cameron, Erin and Tyler


As you can see, this afghan is getting loved on a GREAT deal!


May 04, 2010

Emmalee's Family (Round Two!)

I had a conference to attend this past weekend, so I brought the afghan back home for a bit so it could attend!  I have no words for the emotions I felt as I took in every word written by each family in the journal!  It's amazing where this afghan has been and how loved it has become!

Here I am at the Circles of Life conference with the afghan!  It had just arrived in the mail that day!

Here is our little table we set up so people could see the afghan and get information regarding it!


And here is my new friend, Tammy!  She is thirty-three years old and lives in Wisconsin with her mom and dad!  She is a VERY proud aunt and I had a great time meeting her and her family at the conference!


Here is Em with the afghan over a year ago!  (You can see our first blog post, here!)




And here's one from this year!

Of course, the afghan is all about sharing, so here is Em passing off the afghan to her friend, Lilja!  (You can see more pictures on Little Miss E's blog!)


The afghan is going to bum around Wisconsin for a few weeks and then it is off to Texas to jump out of an airplane to support Down syndrome awareness!  How cool is that??

Stay tuned for more "cheese state" families!!
 


ÿÿÿ Web Design by Poppies Blooming 2010

Back to TOPÿÿ