NDSAW Post #2 - Nella

Today's feature was inspired by Kelle Hampton, she has a blog called Enjoying The Small Things. I am sure if you are here, chances are you have been there. If you haven't, please head over and check it out. Her 3 kids are super adorbs and will not disappoint. I love the way Kelle advocates for Down syndrome. She shares her life with so many readers on a daily basis. Sometimes she blogs about Down syndrome specifically but mostly she just shares about her family in the sweetest and funniest way. I LOVE it because by not writing about DS all the time, she kinda becomes the best advocate sending a strong message that raising a kid with Down syndrome is just like raising any other kid. 

This specific post that I want you all to read was a really emotional one for me to read myself. It really challenged me to face a fear that I wasn't quite ready to deal with yet. And to be honest I am not sure that even now, over a month later, I am ready still. This post was about a boy at recess who made fun of Kelle's younger daughter, Nella, because she had DS. I can still barely type the words without feeling a heavy heart. I will tell you that since the moment Hazel has been born this has been a fear that I am working tirelessly to prevent. Every time I sit in front of this computer to blog, or share a post on Facebook, or visit a classroom (of any age) - this is the NASTY little thing that I am doing it for.

I am trying to create a culture of knowledge and awareness surrounding DS so that individuals with Down syndrome are viewed as the people that they are and not the syndrome that is one tiny part of them. Sometimes it's hard. Sometimes it's hard until other brave, selfless mamas share their heart and wisdom in a blog post so that other mama's like me, who are new joiners in the game, can lay our heads down at night feeling like WE GOT THIS!!!

Here is the link the the blog post where Kelle beautifully takes the wind right out of the sails of this negative situation by not giving it any room to breathe:

 http://kellehampton.com/2015/09/fill-the-bookends-with-beauty-and-carry-a-big-sword.html