Updates and More Updates!

I'm a bad bad blogger.  March 6 was Spread the Word to End the Word Awareness Day.  For those of you who have been following my blog, know how strongly I feel about the r-word.  Yet, I didn't manage to find time to blog about it.  I did manage to flood Facebook with facts, photos and articles about why it's so inappropriate to use it.  I fought a few arguments as well.  Arguments I shouldn't have to have, about why I find it so offensive.  And why the word should be eliminated, even when used "appropriately" and replaced with terms like intellectual disability.  On the plus side, I'm happy to say that I haven't seen the r-word pop up on my Facebook newsfeed in a long time, so I consider that a step in the right direction.  Or everyone that uses it got annoyed with me and hid or deleted me.

In other news, we've been busy since the little miss celebrated her birthday.  Her 2 year well visit went wonderful!  She weighed in at 23lb 4oz and 32 inches, and although I typically dread the "developmental assessment" I found that this time wasn't so bad.  I recognize that she has delays and apparently I've had a pretty realistic depiction of where she is because I didn't leave with an overwhelming feeling of how many things we should be working on.  I adore our new pediatrician, who spent an unreal amount of time discussing things like nutrition and vaccines.

Unfortunately, a mere 12 hours after her "well visit" Kennedy got sick.  Our first stomach bug.  Which quickly made it's way through the house, and half the family.  The stupid germs plagued her off and on for an entire week.  Mommy and daddy learned that we can no longer call in the Grandmothers for backup, because they BOTH got incredibly sick.  We spent a lot of time reading and watching TV.  And keeping Kennedy from smothering Caleb with slobbery kisses.  Good times.  (Insert sarcastic eye roll here.)

Apparently turning two meant big things for Kennedy.  I think we're finally beginning to see the shift from her focus on physical development to her communication skills.  Don't get me wrong, Kennedy has never had trouble getting her point across.  But her signing and speaking has definitely not been one of her strengths.  However, in the past week she has picked up two new words and two new signs. She will run up to you with an iPhone, asking for music.  She will ask to be put down.  And although she's very capable of walking, she more often than not, asks to be picked up.  Because apparently mommy needs the work out of carrying a combined 46+ pounds of kid.  Her receptive language has continued to grow by leaps and bounds.  We started working with a new speech therapist who I really like.  Kennedy is not thrilled with her, but only because she makes her work.

And last but not least, Kennedy got to do something VERY exciting today.  She was able to meet Lauren Potter, from Glee!  Okay, so Kennedy didn't really understand the significance of it.  And I had a horrible time getting her to sit still for a photo with her.  Kennedy just wanted to run around, and she was over tired as a result of the time change.  But I was incredibly excited about the opportunity.  She was incredibly sweet!  And Kennedy loved her iPhone.  I'm pretty sure she was going to try to steal it.  Unfortunately, my husband was juggling Caleb, and I was trying to snap photos.  We were ALL trying to get Kennedy to cooperate, with out much success.  But at least there is a photo of Kennedy with her, right?  And we got her autograph.

Speaking of photos, here are a few of the latest, in random order.  And a few videos of Kennedy's impressive dance skills.  I would promise another blog update soon, but we're headed back to the sunshine state for some warm weather, beach time, friends, family and MICKEY MOUSE!!!  So, as usual, the updates may be sparse, but I should have some great photos coming up!

Watching Signing Times with brother! So incredibly sweet. 

Don't bother me mom, I'm reading.

I'm going to kiss you brother!!!!

Watch, this is how you throw a ball.

And this is how you play the piano.

MOM! Why won't he chase me???

Come on Caleb! Chase me!

Let me show you how this works Caleb.

Just brushing my teeth.

Uh, excuse me, I don't care if mom wants a picture, I want to run away!

No, I'm not going to look at the camera and smile.

I sure do love this horse, even if it doesn't go anywhere.

Giving daddy kisses. Poor sick baby. 

Daddy, I'll read you a bedtime story.

Hey people! 

I love this thing!

Mom fail. I dressed them both in gray stripes. And 5,000 people asked if they were twins.

My little princess doing her princess dance!

Dance Queen.  She'll get every musical toy going just to dance.

{31 for 21} The R-word....Again

I've blogged about this subject many times.  There's not a word I hate more than this one.  It makes me cringe every time I hear it.  Not just because I know the person using it is using it in a way that has a negative connotation towards people like my daughter.  But because every time I hear it, I feel the need to say something, because I am my daughter's voice.  I don't want her to grow up hearing this word all the time, and as it stands, it's currently used all too often.  I get sick of having the same conversation when I hear it or see it on Facebook.  The people who use it don't understand that it's like a punch in the stomach to the parents of a child with an intellectual disability.  It's exhausting having to put so much energy into something that should not be an issue.

Recently Ann Coulter has used the word multiple times, referencing the candidates following the presidential debates.  In my mind, and the mind of many others, this isn't about politics, but about fact that she continues to use such an offensive and heartless word on Twitter.  After the first time she used it, I sent my usual email.  Isn't it sad that I have one drafted and just tweak it depending on the circumstances?  This week I decided not to bother wasting my time.  She clearly knows that she was criticized for it last week, yet she did it again.  Probably to add fuel to the fire.

I noticed that CNN featured a story about her choice of words, and I was impressed.  Some people will never change.  Some people don't see anything wrong with it, and some just don't care.  But with the story hitting media outlets like CNN, someone is bound to see the story and recognize how people feel when the word is used, and remove it from their vocabulary.  If nothing else, hopefully her ignorance will help raise awareness to end the use of the r-word.

Spread The Word To End The Word

Today is Spread The Word To End Te Word Day.  A day specifically meant to raise awareness to the fact that the "r-word" is not appropriate and to end it's use.  It's no secret how I feel about the word and lately I've seen it pop up more and more on Facebook.  I've even confronted a few people about how hurtful it is.  Sometimes people truly don't realize and are apologetic, and other times, people just don't care, which is sad.  I've deleted a few *friends* recently, after I suggested that their use of the word "retard" or "retarded" was inappropriate as well as hurtful, just to be bashed and called oversensitive.  In my opinion, real friends don't use the r-word.


Many medical professionals still use this term, however I have started to see a transition to more appropriate terms, such as intellectual delays or disabilities.  I think that's a step in the right direction.  If the medical community can eliminate it, maybe there's hope that it will become used less overall.

I ask you to visit Spread The Word To End The Word and sign the pledge to eliminate the use of the word from every day speech and to promote the inclusion of people with intellectual disabilities.  I also ask that you please share this with your friends and family.

Think of this face the next time you think about using the word or you see someone else use it.  Please make a difference and do your part to eliminate this awful word from society.

In case you need more reasons not to use it.  Take a look at this video.

The Hardest Part...

I feel the need to continue with my earlier entry.  Just in case I didn't make it clear how disgusted I am with society that there are actually people in this world who believe that it's okay to use the word retard.  The more I think about the movie "The Change-Up," the more irate I get. 

One of the hardest parts for me in dealing with Kennedy's diagnosis is the future.  Not being able to protect her from all of the cruel people in this world.  I don't want to see her to be made fun of for being "different" and I sure don't want to have to hear her being called a retard, because of her disability.  I want so badly to be able to protect her from having to deal with inconsiderate and uneducated people in this world, who believe it's okay to belittle or demean individuals with disabilities.  This word is used far too often in society, with out any repercussions..  I was standing in Target the other day, and a young mother exclaimed, "This cart is so retarded!"  I know that she didn't mean to insult Kennedy, or any individual for that matter, but that word is hurtful! 

I didn't know a lot about individuals with Down syndrome before I had Kennedy, but I can tell you one thing, I would never have referred to them as retarded or "Downsy" the way it was portrayed in the movie "The Change-Up."  Anyone who knows Kennedy, or anyone else with Down syndrome, knows that there is something special about them, even at such a young age.  Along with that extra chromosome comes a whole new level of sweetness, lovability, and  the innate ability to see the good in all people.  And what do they get in return?  Degraded and belittled?  It's not acceptable in today's society to use racial or religious slurs when talking about people, so why should it be okay to use them when speaking of the disabled. 

What disgusts me even further is the people who condone this type of behavior.  These are the people that I feel I need to protect my daughter from.  And there are a lot of them out there.  The people who don't see this as a big deal, are the ones who probably use the term so loosely.  Guess what?  I bet their children don't have Down syndrome, or another disability, because if they did, they wouldn't be speaking that way.  So far, one of the hardest parts for us as parents, is knowing that we cannot protect Kennedy or other children from hearing these things.  Slurs are not acceptable any time, but especially not when you're talking about a baby with a disability.  Kennedy isn't old enough to take a stand for herself, and let her voice be heard, but as her mother, I can assure you that I will be the voice for my daughter and I will take a stand against disability slurs.  What will you do?

Universal Studios has responded to the actions of hundreds of people's complaints and criticism about their use of the word retard, by blocking their Facebook wall for people to post on, as well as disabling their email account.  Have they acknowledged their wrong doing?  Of course not.  At least GQ magazine made a public apology, although forced.  Universal Studios has not even admitted any wrong doing.  I know that the movie has been released, and it's too late for those who have already seen it, but I'm begging you - PLEASE boycott this movie.  Do not put money in the pockets of those who find it perfectly acceptable to demean individuals, specifically babies with Down syndrome. 

I am once again asking you to PLEASE "LIKE" the page "Stop Disability Slurs" on Facebook, and learn what you can do to do your part in ending the "r-word."

Now, as I promised earlier, more pictures of Kennedy.  Does this look like a child who is suffering to you?  Look at her adorable face.  How can anyone tell me that it's OKAY to refer to children like her as retards.  Believe it or not, there aree a lot of people out there.

Take a Stand! Stop Disability Slurs!

I know it's been several days since I've posted, and I have lots of new pictures and updates to share, but I feel this issue deserves a post of its own.  I'll be blogging later tonight with all of the new updates.

Right now, I'm asking for your help.  I'm disgusted by the recent events which show discrimination towards individuals with Down syndrome, and it's time we do something about it.  A few weeks ago GQ magazine released an article containing the statement, "Boston suffers from a kind of Style Down syndrome."  And now, Universal Studios has released its film "The Change-Up."  I have not seen the movie myself, but fellow mom blogger, Gretchen Mather, describes the scene in her blog, Julian's Journey, by saying, "Ryan Reynolds who plays a bachelor who has never settled down, visits his long-time friend Jason Bateman; he sees his twins in their high chairs and says, “Why aren’t they talking – what are they retarded?”  I thought that was offensive enough but then he says, “And this one, he looks Downsy".


How is this considered appropriate?  How is it okay to make jokes and laugh at individuals with disabilities?  As if all the cruelty and bullying in this country isn't bad enough, media sources like GQ Magazine and Universal Studios are going to continue to mock people with Down syndrome, sending the message to society that it's okay to do this?! 

So I'm asking you.  For one, please do NOT go see the movie, The Change-Up.  Pass the word on to your friends and family. 

I'm going to follow in the footsteps of Gretchen Mather and ask that you post THIS on your Facebook. 

Stop Disability Slurs! Do you have the courage? We do not put up with racial/gay/religious slurs so why does this keep happening? We MUST stop our society from thinking this is OK. The Change Up movie and the recent GQ Magazine issue are creating public slurs against people with disabilities.  This campaign starts with you.  Will the media have the courage to speak up and change their ways? We will see. We hope to make a change. It starts with you.

Please visit Gretchen's blog to see other ways that you can help.  I also would ask that you "LIKE" the Facebook page: Stop Disability Slurs | Do You Have the Courage?

You can also visit R-word | Spread the Word to End the Word to sign your pledge not to use the r-word.  It's not acceptable to use slurs or derogatory language when it comes to race or religion, why should it be acceptable when you're talking about persons with disabilities?  This isn't just about Kennedy, and it isn't just about people with Down syndrome.  This is any person affected by a disability.