What Are the Odds – Sandra McElwee

OK! We have won the lottery with this guest! I recently virtually met Sandra because, of all things, this photo of Sean and his birthday playing roulette on the blog, Who’s the Slow Learner? Looks fun, doesn’t it?

Well, it helped me to approach Sandra about the odds. And here’s where you all get lucky! No…wait..I’ll tell you at the end. SO, for now, let’s meet Mrs. McElwee:

Sandra Assimotos McElwee is an advocate for unborn babies with Down syndrome and created one of the first websites for parents with a prenatal diagnosis. McElwee contributed to the books, “Gifts: Mothers Reflect on How Children with Down Syndrome Enrich Our Lives,” and “You Will Dream New Dreams, Inspiring Personal Stories by Parents of Children with Disabilities.” Married over twenty-two years to Sean’s father, Rick , they enjoy traveling and participating in Sean’s sports activities. A medical sales professional, McElwee’s most important job is being Sean’s mom.

Sean McElwee is a twenty-one year old independent adult who enjoys community college classes, acting, every sport there is and hanging with his homies. He dances, gambles and drinks beer (O’Douls is his favorite) He can be found with his headphones in bopping down the street heading to his favorite restaurant Taco Bell for a few bean burritos then flirting with the cute employees at Yougert Land.

Now, what has she to say in answer to the dice?

(3,2) Tell us about a time you were dealt a natural.

A Natural: “The best hand without wild cards.” Actually I don’t think I’ve ever been dealt a Natural because Sean IS THE Wild Card! He’s the luckiest person I’ve ever met. He the litmus test for character and reveals the Angels and the Avoiders. Being his mom has never been a bummer. Yes–I’m the weird minority who didn’t freak out when he wasn’t born with 46 chromosomes. I’ve always known he’s the wild card, here for a purpose and he’s going to change the world.

(4,1)  What do you think is most important way to hedge your bet?

Inclusion. Inclusion in school community, church, work. Sean’s inclusion has afforded him visibility. Visibility has afforded him awareness. Awareness has made him KNOWN by the majority of the people in our community. And that provides him with safety because not one day goes by that someone doesn’t text, email or call me with a “Sean sighting” to let me know they saw him out and about…even when he’s taken the $20 books I’ve written and is selling them for $5.00 each in the grocery store parking lot to get enough money for Taco Bell and Yogurt Land.

(4,6) You have to play to win

Always. No such thing as second place.

(6,2) From this one word prompt either write or send a picture reply: Shoe.

Sean still can’t tie them. And so what?

(5,4) From this one word prompt either write or send a picture reply: All in

Awesome, eh? But it gets better. In addition to her blog, Who’s the Slow Learner and Facebook Page. In her spare time, she wrote three books,  THREE BOOKS! And frankly, you should have one. So, she’s giving you a shot at it RIGHT NOW.

Check it out:

Who’s the Slow Learner? A Chronicle of Inclusion and Exclusion is for parents of preschool thorough high school age children. Our story that helps to show how we did it, what successful inclusion looks like, possible pitfalls to watch for and wonderful stories of peers advocating when they didn’t even know the definition of the word.

Who’s The Slow Learner? Adventures In Independence–Stories of how we taught Sean life skills at home, funny stories of Sean’s antics and this one is for any age as it is more entertaining than educational.

My Name Is Sean and I Have Something to Share em>introduces Down syndrome to children–I encourage parents to use it as a template to create their own book to introduce their child to their typical peers.

Did I tell you? LUCKY US! Now…Go! Register and don’t be selfish, share this link with other parents who need these books. Let’s play.