In my last post I mentioned that we are certainly living in uncertain times and that continues to be the case.  Daily, it seems, that we are faced with a new dose of reality, that changes the way we interact with the people in our communities, and maybe even our own families.  It is a time of uncertainty, even possibly a time of feeling overwhelmed, and of not knowing where to turn or what will happen next.
 
I have been thinking about that a lot lately.  Especially for those of us whose loved ones may face additional impacts, either to their health, or perceived loss of education- at times this just seems like too much.
 
But we can look at this another way as well.  We can dig deep and recognize that we can do this because we have done it before.
 
As a parent you will have received a pre-natal, post- natal or pre- adoption diagnosis.  As an educator, you may have known nothing about Down syndrome or autism, or whatever learning challenge your student faces daily, or maybe too much following old paradigms.  The truth is that upon joining our lives alongside one with Down syndrome or another struggling learners, we all faced unexpected challenges.  We all have been in the path of experiencing life differently than we had planned, and have learned new ways of doing things, new ways of thinking, even, and made that part of our current daily “normal”.
 
So do that again my friends.  Dig deep, back to the time when you first heard the diagnosis of Down syndrome applied to someone you would join alongside, or learned something new about someone you love, and as you do, know that this time, you’ve got this- because you have done it before, and can absolutely do it again!

​Happy World Down Syndrome Day 2020 everyone.!!! I can certainly say that we are not celebrating the way we had expected but I am sure that we are all doing what we can, in our own way.
 
Under today’s circumstances, I can’t think of a better way to celebrate this day than to officially launch Sevi’s Smile online services, as a way to support people with Down syndrome and other learning challenges, their parents and caregivers and, even in these uncertain times, their educators. 
 
I have been absolutely blessed and humbled by the response we have received on our soft launch, and cannot wait to connect with you as we take our support out into the world in a more public way.
 
Today- Sevi had been planning to speak at a local conference for families of children with various disabilities.  As we reflected on the opportunity that was before us we could not think of a more perfect way to celebrate WDSD2020. 
 
The reality is that our plans are not possible.  So much of what we face today is overwhelming and out of our control, but we are not swayed.  We are still taking the message of positivity and possibility out into the virtual world- and we hope you will join us.
 
In the meantime- let us know how you are celebrating WDSD2020.  We are using this time to make connections and reaching out to people we have not spoken to in too long and not letting another minute pass. 
 
Sending virtual hugs and encouragement to you all.