Lisa: People with Down Syndrome (DS) are proportioned different than the general population. Though there are obvious variations between individuals, most have shorter arms, legs, and waists. Their shoulders tend to be narrower, and they are usually of shorter stature. And THIS my friends is why it is so frustrating to shop for clothes for …
“Sophie’s Presentation at the MYO Retreat”
Lisa: We were honored with the opportunity to give our presentation “Reach Higher” at the Maronite Youth Organization (MYO) regional retreat on February 17 in Cincinnati, which was one day after Sophie’s 15th birthday! Father George and Father Gary, thank you so much for inviting us! I was really proud of Sophie and …
“Reach Higher”
Lisa: Sophie and I are very grateful to the organizers of Leadership Geauga for allowing us to speak at last month’s Human Services Day seminar. Our presentation entitled “Reach Higher,” was a chronicle of the family’s journey with Sophie and our quest to help her reach her full potential. Sophie was amazingly poised and fearless …
“Handwriting Progress: She’s Almost Ready to Endorse a Check!”
The first 3 images below represent handwriting samples from about 2 years ago through the present. Sophie is now tracing her signature in cursive so that, one day, she can do her banking independently. Lisa: NACD (National Association for Child Development) did not allow us to work on Sophie’s handwriting skills …
“Sophie’s Healthy Chocolate Smoothie Recipe”
Lisa: Hello all! A few years ago, John initiated a very bad tradition of buying super-thick chocolate “milkshakes” from that well-known fast food chain with whom we are all too familiar! Even worse, he lured Sophie into participating in this ritual! Grrr….Well, no more! Sophie and I have discovered our own healthier version of this …
“Have No Fear”
Lisa: After all these years of pushing to further Sophie’s development, even I sometimes find myself imposing limitations on her. Parents of special needs children, have you ever found yourselves stuck in the status quo because it’s comfortable? I believe we subconsciously allow ourselves to remain stuck because we fear failure. Fear is debilitating. Not only does …
“Chef Sophie: Shrimp with Pomegranate Sauce”
Lisa: Here is one of the many recipes from Chef Sophie’s repertoire: Shrimp with Pomegranate Sauce Ingredients 8 medium-sized shrimp 1 small onion, diced coconut oil salt, lemon pepper, paprika to taste 1 tsp freshly grated ginger drizzle of pomegranate molasses juice from one lemon Directions Sauté the onions in coconut oil until brown. Add …
Video: Brain Drain or Mind Find
Lisa: When I was younger, my parents would get upset with me for watching too much TV. However, my “excessive” habit doesn’t even compare to the video/handheld device addiction of today’s youth! Is all video bad? Absolutely not. In fact, if strictly limited and utilized in the correct way, video can be a very powerful …
“Pure, Clean Living: One Piece of the Puzzle”
Lisa: My family and I have been searching for ways to live healthier, less toxic lives. Thus our efforts to grow our own organic food (see previous posts about Sophie’s vegetable garden), cook from scratch, and exercise regularly. I have also been researching levels of toxins in the average American household, and the results are scary. …
“Math: Keeping it Real”
Lisa: For the past year, Sophie has been going to the grocery store with her tutor about once weekly. As a homeschooled student, she welcomes any opportunity to leave the house. But why the grocery? Because as Bob and Ellen Doman taught me: Math must MATTER. Grocery shopping is a life skill, which requires the …