Shoving items under the couch, just in case she needs them later.
Playing “huck and chuck” with whatever she can find. Huck and chuck is when you grab something and for no apparent reason, you throw the item over your shoulder.
Listening to music.
Watching Pocoyo (actually the might be one of Dad’s favorite things).
Falling asleep on top of Mom or Dad.
Laughing and giggling while chasing Brady around the floor.
Myth: Most people with Down syndrome are institutionalized.
Truth: Today people with Down syndrome live at home with their families and are active participants in the educational, vocational, social, and recreational activities of the community.
They are integrated into the regular education system and take part in sports, camping, music, art programs and all the other activities of their communities.
**Most importantly***
People with Down Syndrome, are just like you and me.
There is an old Judy Garland song that goes something like “Clang ,clang, clang went the trolley Ding, ding, ding went the bell.” At our house it is more like bang bang goes everything or as the late 70′s early 80′s band Kraftwerk so elequently put it “Music, Non-Stop” .
The gift and joy of music is heavily embraced not only by the banging, clanging, and listening of Miss Carly it is embraced by the whole family as well.
Our taste, or which some say mine is a lack of taste, range from Jimmy Buffett to Depeche Mode and back again. Along with a heavy dose of Yo Gabba Gabba, Jack’s Big Music show, Phineas and Ferb, and whatever Disney pop star is a hit at the moment.
The whole family enjoy’s our yearly trek to the nearest Jimmy Buffett experience, calling it a concert would be a crime. Whenever Depeche Mode is on tour I attempt to raise the same level of excitement as well, by the way Dave Gahan next time please don’t lose your voice the night prior to the show.
Emma is getting to the age, she just turned 9 (Happy Birthday!!) where I am sure she will soon come up with a list of her must see bands as well and we will trek to those as well.
Brady is a fan of all types of music except for my techno, rap, or dance music (Sigh, where did I go wrong) which is always met with a “Dad, can you please turn this off?” Heck, he has even been to a Trace Adkins concert with MJ.
Now Carly, her music taste rang from whatever she can bang upon to the soothing sounds of the afore mentioned Yo Gabba Gabba or Jack’s Big Music show. Her music has not only a calming effect on her, which provides instant relief to when she decides to wake up @ 2:00 AM, but all of us as well. And if you were curious, yes, we do have lullaby CD’s by Jimmy Buffett and the Cure.
So, if and when you stop on by the Fitch Family home, expect to hear more then “Clang ,clang, clang went the trolley Ding, ding, ding went the bell.”
1. Slow down
2. Life is better when you wake up smiling
3. Any obstacle can be overcome
4. Enjoy the surprises life brings you
5. We are all more alike, then different
