Need a new search

If you didn't find what you were looking for, try a new search!

Marcus’ New Jeans and Fashion Show Auditions

2017-09-02T13:06:19-05:00Categories: Grown Ups & Downs|Tags: , , , , , , |

 

Today – we’re going to talk about fashion.

Marcus’ new Downs Designs jeans and his model audition

I am not a talented “Suzie-homemaker,” which I perceive as someone who can wallpaper and sew and serves a “complete breakfast” every morning, and so on. When house-shopping I said to the realtor, “If the word potential even crosses your mind: do not show me the house.” I cannot paint. I cannot lay new carpet. It took me over a year to put pictures on the wall.

And sewing. Yeah….no. This includes everything. If a shirt has

Read More
 9

A Note From Marcus’ Dad

2018-06-10T11:05:34-05:00Categories: Grown Ups & Downs|Tags: , , , |

Today we have a special treat: A guest post from Quinn!

 Meeting Marcus

I knew I was in trouble the moment I met Marcus. He was 2 1/2 years old and tiny. He looked at me and smiled, only it wasn’t a smile of courtesy at being introduced, it was a smile of great enthusiasm as if he already knew and loved me; like I’d returned. It scared me.

At first, it was because I had a thing for his mother, and by way of implication, that could mean a heavy responsibility was literally staring me in the

Read More
 23

I Wish I Knew

2019-05-11T15:25:16-05:00Categories: Grown Ups & Downs, Parent's Guide to Down Syndrome|Tags: , , , , , |

.

I wish I knew…Oh my, we could be here a while. There is no end to what I wish I knew. To what I want to know. To what I am trying to learn and what I wish was just deposited into my tiny brain without me having to work so damn hard for it!

bubblesLately, I’ve been reflecting and noticing what I’ve learned over the last few years especially about medical and social issues relating to disability, of course, most specifically

Read More
 21

The Friction of Reentry

2021-04-25T12:19:09-05:00Categories: Grown Ups & Downs|Tags: , |

Let’s talk about reentry.

To Work of course

Marcus’ first outings where human contact is possible (but masked) so far have been limited to coming to work with me on the weekends. No surprise as we are the “work club.”

Yesterday he helped by placing sample description labels in folders.

From a previous Building the Future Gala event, Marcus and Jeff Quinn.

Advocacy Recognition

Our first big outing will be at an event where Marcus will be recognized

Read More
 0

A Healing Balm for the Down Syndrome Community and Allies

2020-10-27T13:43:26-05:00Categories: Grown Ups & Downs|Tags: , , , |

The Global Down Syndrome Foundation each year hosts a fabulous event called Be Beautiful, Be Yourself. At this year’s event on November 14th,  we’re going to celebrate. We’re going to cry. We’re going to push forward. I’m the mother of an adult with Down syndrome.  There’s so much that I want to tell you, I hardly know where to begin…

Shall I start with 2020 and Covid? Of how scared I am…I fear the possibility that my very breath can bring in a virus that kills people with Down syndrome at

Read More
 0

The Journey to Success

2020-08-23T08:10:08-05:00Categories: Grown Ups & Downs, The Innocent Prince|Tags: , , , , |

“Success is a journey, not a destination.”

This was somehow an inspiring sentiment in my teen years. Back then I wore my perseverant nature as a badge of honor and believed  (vehemently) it would be the key to my success. But then…adulthood.

Staying alive, keeping other human(s) alive, and the simple act of breathing took a lot more effort than I expected.

By the  age of, let’s say 43, this quote and “success being a journey” concept pricked at my soul like needles. I didn’t *want* it to be a journey,

Read More
 6

Everyone Needs Help

2020-06-16T07:17:43-05:00Categories: Grown Ups & Downs|Tags: , , , , , , , , , , |

A Gift From the Universe to Change the World

coffee shop

My son, Marcus, and I have had many writing sessions and meetings with collaborators at our neighborhood coffee shop, particularly while we were working on his first book for children and the accompanying animated short. We also wrote the speech we gave at the United Nations building there earlier this year. Today I write solo and the notebook to my right has the lyric, “The universe is resting in my arms” (from Nina Gordan’s song “Tonight”) written and

Read More
 5

I Cried Every Year on My Son’s Birthday

2020-06-13T17:55:41-05:00Categories: Grown Ups & Downs|Tags: , , , , , |

Baby!I cried when he turned one and I knew heart surgery was on the horizon. I cried when he turned five and we were fighting with the public schools. When he turned 11, and…Why did I cry when he turned 11?

I sat next to my dad and said, “My birthdays don’t bother me. His make me a wreck.”

“That’s because you’re getting old.” My father suggested with his normal tact and

Read More
 20

Who do you think you are?

2020-05-23T08:35:30-05:00Categories: Grown Ups & Downs|

I’ll bet this guy never worries about what he’s wearing.

Have you ever heard the phrase…“She’s really got to know who she is to wear an outfit like that!”  Have you ever worn an outfit like that? I’ve seen them in the store and thought I wish I could wear that.

It’s not that it doesn’t fit. (Well, not always that.) It’s often more about the style or the color.

Who do you think you are?

Have you ever written a “Bio?” It’s hard! I have several. When presenting with Marcus there’s a different

Read More
 1

Title

Go to Top