spring
2008
sisters forever
by Audrey, Pasadena, CA
Most of the early tears were about the sibling relationship that would never be…now my tears are for the sibling relationship that is. And oh, what happy tears!  Love replaces fear ever time I see them holding hands, playing dress up, splashing in the bath. Love replaces Fear ever time they sing together, dance together, and laugh together. And Love replaces Fear every night when neither will rest until they get their "sister kiss". Life is good, Love is better, fear no more.



stares...the look of love
by Valerie
When my daughter was a baby, I kept her covered-up often in public. It was so easy. I’d just put a little blanket over her lift-out car seat or stroller. I told myself that it was too cold or I was protecting her from germs, but in reality, I was protecting myself from the stares I would encounter. I was fearful of catching someone staring at her. I was fearful of how she would be received. And then there was the dreaded and all too common question from strangers, “How old is she?” Answering that was a dead giveaway that something was “different” about my child. I was filled with worries and fears.

However, five years later, I can reflect back and realize that I only felt that way because I did not know my daughter, yet. I know her now and have for many years. She is beautiful, capable, intelligent, and more. Now, if someone stares at her, it barely affects me. I have seen how well accepted she is by all the people who matter in our lives. I am blessed and honored to be her mother. For certain, the love that I have for my daughter has replaced the fear that those stares used to cause me.


he is so beautiful
by Samantha
When Nathan was born and we were told that he may have DS, I was shattered! I didn't want anyone to know as I was afraid that they would look at him differently. Love replaced fear when he was around 2 weeks old and we took him into a friends shop to show him to her, not telling anyone he had DS of cause. She took one look at him, looked at my husband and I with a look of shock and said, but he is beautiful! It was as if she would not have thought that we as parents could have made such a beautiful child! Thank you Gloria!

My beautiful son Nathan goes every where with me, out in his pram with his arms out reaching for the world!



better...
by Ivonne
When Isabella was born, my biggest fear was the burden I  had put on my oldest son having to have a sister with a disability.  But almost 3 years have passed and now Isabella has two brothers to love.   I have seen how they compliment each other and how they love each other without any bias.  My ignorance fed my fears but they have been replaced by what I now know, that in her life time, Isabella will teach them both what empathy really means, they will learn from her how to be less judgmental, they will learn from her how appreciate the little things in life but more importantly they will learn from her how to love without prejudice. Because of her, someday my sons will be better sons, better brothers, better friends, better husbands,  better men.


lucky to know her
by Heather Hall, First Grade Teacher, Glen Oak Elementary in Covina, CA
I had the awesome pleasure and privilege of having Jessica Rodriguez in my First Grade classroom this year.  I can honestly say that I am a better teacher and a better human being from knowing her.  She taught me, as well as her classmates, so much about compassion for others, joy for life and the excitement of learning.  I have seen her improve so much in how she follows directions, follows the structure and routines in the classroom and interacts with the other students.  She perservered through some tough times as the expectations rose and she did it with that beautiful smile! I feel so lucky that I was chosen to have her as my student.  She will definitely hold a special place in my heart!

Thank you for giving me the opportunity to share!



gift of a special friend
by Vivianna, San Gabriel, CA
My husband and I had become tired and worn down and had fallen into a rut of getting the kids off to school, preparing the meals, helping with homework and bath time and to bed.   Our lives were being dictated by the routines that worked…nothing out of the ordinary…we simply avoided any opportunity for possible “meltdowns”.  We were definitely stuck in Winter.

Then we met Miss Lynn.  Previously diagnosed with breast cancer and declared terminal, we embarked on a friendship.  She embraced Tara and taught her things that we never realized our daughter cared about.  She gave her a manicure and a pedicure – her first ever!  She taught her a little jig that was “their thing”.  She believed Tara would dance with her in the street (at the Alhambra Street Fair”) and she did.  She showed us that anything was possible.  Miss Lynn helped us to see a new season in our 11 year old daughter.  Tara is now 12 going on 13 and Miss Lynn was laid to rest this past January.  Lynn planted many seeds while she was alive in our family.  We are reminded every day of the gift that every person brings to our child as we watch her continue to blossom.          


Tara and Miss Lynn
our stories... (spring 2008)