Tag: Down Syndrome

When Matt Almost Gassed Everyone in the Operating Room…

I read the best post today from a mom in our Down Syndrome-Autism Connection Support Group on Facebook. She wrote about the long journey it took to be able to cut her son’s hair and clip his fingernails without a huge fight, but now at age 25, he can calmly sit through the procedure. It’s a story every mom of a DS/ASD child knows.  It takes a lot of time and patience for our children and adults to accept a new routine.

I could really relate.

Continue reading “When Matt Almost Gassed Everyone in the Operating Room…” →

You Nailed It, Erma!

In 1980, Erma Bombeck wrote an article entitled “The Special Mother”.  It was a tribute to the 100,000 mothers who gave birth each year to handicapped children.

In 1984, I gave birth to a son with Down Syndrome.

MattI don’t remember if I read Erma’s accolade before or after my Matthew was born, but I do remember when I did read it, my tears blurred the words so badly I could barely get through it. Erma really nailed it. How she did, not having a handicapped child herself, I don’t know. Did she interview professionals? Or doctors and experts? Research statistics or read formal theses? Or did she do what I think she did – just sit and observe and talk to these mothers one by one until her heart became one with theirs. Continue reading “You Nailed It, Erma!” →