The McClintic Family
Est. 2010
  • Home
    • Click for recent site updates
  • Book
  • Blog
  • Media
    • Changing the Face of Beauty
    • Professional Documentary
    • Talk Tools Voice
    • Angel Eyes
    • My Lucky Number 21
    • Life Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness
    • Spirit of the Season
    • Promoting Acceptance
    • Cutie with Down Syndrome
    • Bets Against Her Doctors
    • My New Lucky Number
    • Talk Tools
    • Pop Pop has no need to worry
    • On March 21st
    • Home Videos
  • Photos
    • Growing
    • Pregnancy
    • Birth
    • First Birthday
    • Second Birthday
    • Fourth Birthday
    • Baptism
    • 3/21 Down Syndrome Day
    • Making of Movie
    • Springtime 2012
    • First Surgery
    • First Vacation
    • Fall 2012
    • Dolls for Downs
    • Gymnastics
    • Summer 2013
    • Preschool Intro
    • Fall 2014
    • Christmas 2014/5th Birthday
    • National DS Day 2015
    • Easter 2015
    • Changing the Face of Beauty
    • Princesses 2015
    • 4th of July 2015
    • Kindergarten Intro 2015
    • Photo Shoots
  • Medical Updates
  • Jamie's Desk
    • New Mommy
    • Letter to Maddox
    • Disabilities
    • Inspiration
    • Book Preview - Grieving the Gift
  • Guest Book

21, 21, 21 AKA 3/21

3/21/2011

1 Comment

 

WORLD DOWN SYNDROME DAY

Picture




One of the typical identifying features of DS is a single palmar crease.  Maddox has this marker on her left hand only.

The twenty first day of the third month of the year..... 

Prior to Maddox’s birthday I had no idea this day existed.

Somewhere, someone thought it would be great to dedicate a day to those who have three chromosome 21s.  Thus became World Down Syndrome Day on 3/21.  

What do I think about this day?  Well, I can start by telling you last year when Maddox three months old I thought this day was repulsive, degrading, and chose to ignore it.  I would read stories of people celebrating this day with balloons, cake, and the party works.  Seriously?  All I wanted was for my baby to be normal, not stand out from anyone else, and now people are taking a day to celebrate three copies of the 21st chromosome?  I can tell you last year, I was definitely not celebrating this horrific chromosomal error.  


But today, 365 days later, I can face World Down Syndrome Day with a slightly better attitude.  While I am not quite to the celebration mode, I can breathe at least.  I still don’t think the extra chromosome is beautiful but I can say say that my daughter does has 46 beautiful chromosomes and there are days where it is a struggle to even remember that.  

I continue to have mixed feelings about today.  I do know that before Maddox was born, I thought I knew everything about how to live life without regrets.  What I have come to realize is that I knew about the ‘without regrets’ part, but I had no idea how to really ‘live life.‘   

Not knowing that first night, just how long Maddox was going to survive, I promised her in the NICU not a day would go by that she wouldn’t get the opportunity to live.  

That is why, every chance we get, we are taking risks, going on adventures, jet skiing, taking naps everywhere but the crib, getting puppy kisses, painting faces, snuggling with doggies, dressing up as princesses, swimming in lakes, making snow angles in the freezing rain, feeding horses, getting our ears pierced, going to the spa, swinging in apple trees, baking cookies, eating ice cream cones, staying up late to watch fireworks, camping in the rain, painting toenails, eating three birthday cakes, sitting in hot tubs, dancing in the streets, hiding in toy displays, eating suckers, drinking from wine glasses, carving (and eating) pumpkins, taking baths outside, creating crazy photo shoots, taking edible bubble baths, petting dirty animals, getting lipstick kisses, putting bows in our hair, and of course eating chocolate cake after bedtime.  

Each day is a gift, unwrap carefully, savor every moment.  

Without further ado, on this day, I have chosen not to celebrate Down Syndrome, but HAVE chosen to honor Maddox for teaching me how to ‘live life.’    

Below is a snapshot of the year’s adventures.

Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture

Yes, while our journey this year has not been all sunshines and roses, it has been filled more adventure, spontaneity, and love than I could have ever imagined.  

That’s what today recognizes.......

Not only how far we have come, but how far we have yet to go.  

Check back in another 356 days to see what year three brings.  I’m hoping, third times the charm!


Click here to read York News Times article on World Down Syndrome Day by Greg Awtry



Comments:



RAE N TIM
Maddie thank you for letting us be a part of your life!!  Tim and I love you and your family so very much.  We are honored to know you.
OOXOXOXO
MONDAY, MARCH 21, 2011 - 09:46 PM

1 Comment
Drain Service Minnesota link
11/30/2022 11:41:36 pm

Hi

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    Why blog?

    These are personal realtime reflections that we have opted to share openly and honestly so you and others can learn about our journey.

    Click on January 2010 below to read Maddox's birth story and view photo's of her birth-day.

    Archives

    November 2021
    September 2015
    August 2015
    May 2015
    February 2015
    June 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    December 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    February 2012
    January 2012
    July 2011
    June 2011
    May 2011
    April 2011
    March 2011
    January 2011
    December 2010
    November 2010
    October 2010
    September 2010
    August 2010
    July 2010
    June 2010
    May 2010
    April 2010
    March 2010
    February 2010
    January 2010
    May 2009
    April 2009

    RSS Feed

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.