A while back, I posted this about a woman who lives in my city, is also a teacher, and also has a little boy with Ds the same age as Dylan...
We have since talked on the phone a few times and were able to meet up yesterday! She and her husband, along with little Aaron, came over to our house for a few hours. We talked, sat on the floor and played with the little ones, talked some more, munched on some quiche and fruit. Dave was instantly won over once the connection was made that Aaron's daddy is also a Grateful Dead fan. Need I say more?
Honestly, it felt as if we were old friends. Like we had always known each other.
It's funny...I am just beyond excited to have connected with someone "in real life" who is going through what we all are. BUT, let me also say this - for those of you who read this blog and take the time to comment - I hope you all know that I love you to bits and would be utterly isolated and lost without your wonderful advice, suggestions, and words of wisdom. It was just different...actually seeing another baby, in the flesh, with Down syndrome! Is that weird? I don't know how to describe it. It was as if all of a sudden I did not feel alone. I felt connected. Understood. Hopeful. I felt so excited for Dylan to have a brand new special little buddy. Someone to travel through school with. Someone who will relate.
There is going to be a Down syndrome conference here in Massachusetts next weekend as well that we will all be going to.
See...little by little, we are getting there. Which sounds strange because I still don't quite know where "there" is. Is it acceptance? Hope? Peace? I don't know. But I can feel it's presence. More so now than before.
Baby steps...
10 comments:
I can't believe he was a Grateful Dead fan, that is so great!! He must of loved Dave's collection of 'stuff'.
I think that is so amazing that you met up with that family. In your house with the kids you don't see other children with Ds so being around that is so good. You can see you are not the only one with questions, concerns, and you can see that other people struggle too. You can see Dylan and Aaron develop at their own pace and have someone to talk with! Yeah, I am so happy for you guys.
Oh so glad that you met up with someone. Maybe that will get me motivated. Lily's PT gave me the name and phone number of a mom that lives about 15 minutes from me. She has a little boy with Ds who will be one at the end of this month. She too is a stay-at-home mom. My big thing is that I don't like calling strangers!! Guess I should get over my fear!!
Now, if her hubby likes Pink Floyd it will be all good with Mark...lol!
SO happy for you...it is so important to get to know people IN person as well...I know meeting Jill in our BBC group has been great She only lives about 15 minutes from me......I am fortunate enough to have a local DS group...so connecting with all the parents have been so great! You are right...Baby steps...I know I have felt some of these same feelings!
It felt wonderful to finally meet people touched by DS IRL. Truly amazing. Now, we have all sorts of friends/acquaintances in the DS world IRL. Some people we have a lot in common with, some it's just the DS, but either way, we can usually connect on a level reserved for those of us who "get it". Not to make it sound like some elite group, but it's so nice to just get it and be around those who also do sometimes! Also, I wish I could go to the DS conference. I LOVE going to DS conferences. I really do! It's like this whole world with tons of people with DS and for a little while you get to imagine what the world COULD be like and it's beautiful. I am so happy for you!
T
That's great! Definitely can understand the need to make in-real-life friends who are going through the same experience. : )
To all you who have children with DS, I salute you. I too have a child with DS. He was born on Saturday @ 1638. He is still in the hospital with his mom because he has a bit of jaundice. I hope he comes home tomorrow. Thank you all out there for being so strong.
Aww, Laur, I'm so glad for you, that sounds just great. And I'm jealous too, as my playgroup thing has not taken off - not a single bite :( I wish we were neighbors . . . you and I could hang out, Dylan and Finn could be buddies, and our husbands could bond over music :)
How fun! I want to meet someone in real life as well.. what a good comfort! I'm glad you all connected so well!
That's great Laurie! I love the blog world, too - but meeting people in real life has been the best thing for me. You're fortunate to have someone in your town with a son the same age as Dylan - I'm sure you'll all be lifelong friends!
I am so glad that you had this experience. We just had our social group this weekend for the little ones with DS and I just love seeing all of the kids. We are like extended family. I hope that you can make it to the conference and find some more people in your area. there is nothing like someone who understands first hand your journey through DS.
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