Last year I approached our principal to see if she would be willing to celebrate World Down syndrome Day by having the students and staff where fun, colorful, mismatched socks. Well she loved the idea and next thing I knew, I was giving a presentation to the 3rd, 4th and 5th grade students. Another mom was presenting to the Kindergarten, 1st & 2nd graders. It was a simple request that turned into something so big and wonderful.

 

For many years I didn’t not want to celebrate Down syndrome. I didn’t see anything to celebrate. All I saw was sadness and a life I didn’t want. I thought if I wouldn’t accept it maybe it would go away. Then I slowly started accepting it. It wasn’t until a few years ago I looked a Down syndrome in a whole new way. I finally understood why we are called the “Lucky Few”. And I have been celebrating it ever since. 

Even though I celebrated it, I never said the words “Emily you have Down syndrome”. She would hear me say Down syndrome but I never directly said it to her. If I was going to get up in front of her school to talk about her and Down syndrome, I had to say those words to her. I was nervous. I ran about 100 different scenarios in my head prior to talking with her. I wasn’t sure what was the right approach. What were the right words? Would she understand? Would she be upset? I had to stop making myself crazy and just do it. So I finally did it. I am not sure exactly what her thoughts were due to her Speech Apraxia but she smiled and hugged me. It was like a weight I didn’t realize was there lifted off my shoulders. It was freeing. It was empowering for both her and I.

JD and I went to school on March 21 to walk around with Emily. It was such an amazing experience. So much love and acceptance filled that entire school. All the kids proudly showed me their socks. They made sure Emily saw them too. I remember one boy telling me he didn’t have any colorful socks so he borrowed his sister’s. That simple gesture brought tears to my eyes. The students and staff were asked to donate $1 or whatever they felt comfortable donating to wear their fun socks. Our elementary school raised over $700 for the Down syndrome Association of Pittsburgh. I was floored! So much love!

 

World Down syndrome Day is on March 21 and we are ready to Rock Our Socks again. Since it’s a Saturday we will be celebrating it at school on March 20. You might be wondering why March 21st. The significance is that there are 3 copies of the 21st chromosome…3/21. My friend Carmen and I will be speaking with the Kindergarteners and 1st graders next week to help them understand a little about Down syndrome and help spread awareness, kindness and inclusion. The teachers and staff will be talking to the other grades reminding them of acceptance, kindness and embracing our differences. Then we will come to school on Friday March 20 to Rock Our Socks.

Would you like to help spread awareness and support for World Down syndrome Day? If so, please wear some fun, colorful, mismatched socks. If you need a great organization to order some socks from, please check out Pals Socks. They are giving a portion of their proceeds to the National Down syndrome Society. Also share your pictures of your socks on social media with the hashtags #rockyoursocks #wdsd2020 #worlddownsyndromeday and #mindfulinthemuddle and tag me in your post so I can see all your fun socks. You can also message me pictures of your socks. I loved all the pictures from friends and family wearing their socks last year. So make my day again…please!