On my 50th Birthday ... Thank you for giving me life Mom

As mom lies in bed, battling end stage cancer, she is some days able to converse, others not so much. Some days able to remember, others she lacks this ability. But she always recognizes us, loves our visits, and occaisionally will still have her wine. But one thing she cannot do this year is buy a birthday card for me for my 50th birthday September 4th. So, I will instead thank you Mom. For giving me life, for being a wonderful and caring person to the many that love you, and will reprint your card given to me last year as I keep it on my office wall as a reminder what is important. And how much you love me, always. How to Make a Beautiful Life Reflections for a Daughter on Her Birthday Love yourself. MAKE PEACE with who you are And where you are At this moment in time. Listen to your heart. If you can’t hear what it’s saying In this noisy world, MAKE TIME for yourself. Enjoy your own company. Let your mind wander among the stars. Try. Take chances. MAKE MISTAKES. Life can be messy and confusing at times, But it’s also full of surprises. The next rock in your path Might be a stepping-stone. Be happy. When you don’t have what you want, Want what you have. MAKE DO. That’s a well-kept secret of contentment. There aren’t any shortcuts to tomorrow. You have to MAKE YOUR OWN WAY. To know where you’re going is only part of it. You need to know where you’ve been, too. And if you ever get lost, don’t worry. The people who love you will find you. Count on it. Life isn’t days and years. It’s what you do with time and with all the Goodness and grace that’s inside you. MAKE A BEAUTIFUL LIFE......The kind of life you deserve. Happy Birthday Sweetheart! I love you! You pick the day and your favorite dinner and I’ll Bring it up Have a great day! xx’s Mom

for Dad on your 80th birthday....miss you!

My Dad passed away about a week after Nash's first birthday on 2/20/02. Nash still talks about "Chuck Chuck" like he knew him... we show the scarce videos we have, and pictures. But sometimes Nash just talks like Grandpa Chuck Chuck is here.... hmmmmmmm today Dad would be 80. I know if he would be here he and Nash would be Wendy's Frosty pals, hanging out at auctions, and just being pissy with each other, as they both loved to be! Miss you Dad.....Happy 80th birthday! Mom and Dad at Hawthorn Hill, our childhood home

Down Syndrome Indiana goes racin' in the 2010 Indianapolis 500 with Team Rahal Letterman #30 car!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact Jeff Huffman President- Down Syndrome Indiana 317-508-6807 Down Syndrome Indiana gets Marketing Opportunity of a Lifetime [Indianapolis, Indiana] Local nonprofit organization, Down Syndrome Indiana gets the marketing opportunity of a lifetime when Graham Rahal of Rahal Letterman Racing agreed to place its logo on his car during the Indianapolis 500 this Sunday! Inspired by Catalina Joyce, a child with Down syndrome and the Joyce Family of Indianapolis, when Graham Rahal was asked to place the logo on his car, he agreed and according to Johanna Maher, Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing with Rahal Letterman Racing, “ Graham Rahal likes to have an organization to stand behind and hadn’t found one yet, so when Jeff Joyce asked, we agreed” Not only did Rahal Letterman agree to put the logo on the car, the Bobby Rahal Foundation agreed to make a donation to the organization for every lap completed by Graham and to double the donation if he finishes in the top three! In addition, Graham Rahal agreed to make a personal donation as well. In the words of Jeff Joyce, father of Catalina Joyce with Down syndrome, “This goes to show what a stand-up guy Graham is for following up on this for us. You can’t imagine how much this can help our organization, Down Syndrome Indiana, and my Daughter Catalina. ….Graham Rahal and Rahal Letterman Racing are first class operations.” Down Syndrome Indiana Executive Director, Lisa Tokarz-Gutierrez had this to say, “ Down Syndrome Indiana is thrilled to partner with Graham Rahal and the Rahal Letterman Racing Team to promote awareness and acceptance of individuals with Down syndrome at this year’s Indy 500! We wish Graham the best of luck. It is a huge victory for individuals with Down syndrome to have our logo displayed on Graham’s car. It will go unbelievably far in enhancing the lives of individuals with Down syndrome, not only in Indiana but across the United States as well. This is truly a dream come true for our families to have their children embraced by the racing community. We are incredibly fortunate for this amazing opportunity and completely impressed over and over with the generosity of Graham Rahal. “ Good luck Graham!!!

Indiana Postsecondary Education Coalition visit to NJ

Doors to colleges are opening for people with intellectual and other developmental disabilities in many different ways all over the country. Our Indiana Postsecondary Education Coalition is striving to provide a program in Indiana and was invited to view the programs in place in New Jersey thanks to NDSS and the Riggio family for the funding for our visit. Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Happy Mother's Day!

What a wonderful Mother's Day weekend! Went to dinner with Mom, sister Amy, brother in law John, my honey and my Nash. Then today tennis lessons with Nash and his buddy Cade, who also sports an extra, and is in his third grade class. and found this wonderful video of Nash at age 3 wishing me Happy Mother's Day in Sign. I remember crying so hard. Sniff sniff. Hope everyone had a wonderful Mother's Day!

3/22/10 WRE March Madness!

Nash's Elementary School put on a wonderful "March Madness" basketball game, where Team 1 (K, 1st, 2nd, Special Needs teachers) played Team 2 (3rd, 4th, Specials and Title 1 teachers) The kids could hit free throws for one dollar, and Nash hit three of his! whoot! Then Nash's 3rd grade teacher , Mr. P, Rocked the River by hitting a three pointer at the buzzer! Very fun evening. Make video montages at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Happy World Down syndrome Day!

March 21st is World Down Syndrome Day (WDSD). The date was chosen to signify the uniqueness of Down syndrome in the triplication (trisomy) of the 21st chromosome and is used synonymously with Down syndrome. Commemoration of World Down Syndrome Day started on 21 March 2006, it has "grown" manifold globally. The annual observance of WDSD aims to promote awareness and understanding of Down syndrome and related issues : and to mobilise support and recognition of the dignity, rights and well being of persons with Down syndrome. Below is a montage Rebecca created for this special day. Enjoy! Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com