Lift Me Up Meeting

Last night, I went to our Down syndrome support group’s “Moms Night Out.”

As I sat there amongst these women, I thought maybe it should be called a “lift me up” group, rather than a “support” group.

Certainly, this group offers much support, but when I think of support, I think of being held up so I don’t fall. Not a single one of these women was falling.

Here were all these moms together, each raising a child with Ds day-to-day. We come from different backgrounds; have different ages and numbers of children; some of us work outside of the home full-time, some part-time, some work fully from home. We are an eclectic mix of women, brought together by an extra chromosome.

Yet, with all our differences, the atmosphere around the table was the same. There was laughter, sharing of stories and camaraderie. Sure, some challenges came up, but they were met with knowing nods of agreement. The nod that says, “hey, I get it,” and “we all are in this together,” is like the best hug in the world.

Other than the gift of Wil himself, his extra chromosome has brought so many extras in my life, and these women are one beautiful extra I’m thankful for.

They say ”it takes a village to raise a child,” and I am lucky enough to be part of a village made of these caring, strong and proactive women. There is strength in knowing we are all in this together, cheering our kids on to live fulfilling lives and shatter limiting stereotypes.

Sadly, there are still too many people out there who “don’t get it.” As much as individuals with Ds are now self-advocating and achieving, people still limit our kids by throwing out the r-word, and putting limiting thoughts and words on what they believe our kids can achieve into adulthood.

Listen to me closely – our children look up to the same sky as any other child does, and that sky is their limit, just as it is for any other child.

Our kids may not reach the sky in the same way as other kids, but they can and will reach it if we stop limiting them with our thoughts and words.

There is a young man with Ds named Tim who, with his parents, runs a successful restaurant. What is the key to the restaurant’s success? Tim gives the patrons hugs. People come from all over to get a hug from him. He does help with other duties at the restaurant, but my point is this: in his own way, he has made the restaurant a success. Tim and his parents are a good example of “no limit” thinkers.

All of us are limitless, we simply reach for the sky in our own way, and in our own time.

Keep limits from your mind and your words, to benefit yourself and to benefit those around you.

All the best,

Christie

Christie is a forty-something mom with twin daughters, and a son who happens to have Down syndrome. To read more of her work, please visit her blog, Autobiographical Reflections.