DS Awareness Month: Recess and Sticky Notes

Continuing in my daily posts on Facebook for Down Syndrome Awareness/Acceptance Month:

Joshua was kind of a little stinker during his elementary school years. He was just trying to learn the "rooahs" (rules).

I think it's Dr. Phil who says that every kid has their own "currency..." that one thing that really matters to them and motivates them to do/not do something...or to work harder; that one thing they would not want taken away.

Joshua's currency was recess.

If he did well in his "regular" class in the morning, then he would get an afternoon recess in his Special Fred class. And if he didn't behave well in his regular class, he had to stay inside with the teacher and do class work.

Which, I totally see the reason and point to this, but you just try containing him all morning...and then keeping him inside all afternoon.

Pick your poison, people...you're only hurting yourselves!

I'M KIDDING!

So, the idea was that his "regular" teacher would use a sticky-note to write whether or not Joshua behaved well enough to get an afternoon recess...and then Joshua was supposed to take this note to his Special Fred teacher.

Now, Joshua might "just have a touch" of Down Syndrome, but mama didn't raise no fool.

He figured out pretty quickly that 8 times out of 10...what was on that note meant he wasn't getting an afternoon recess. So, Joshua took matters into his own hands. He would just stick the notes on the walls, metal poles, trash cans, windows, etc...on the way to his Special Fred class. And I guess they'd just assume that no note meant "good day..." and they let him go out and play.

This system worked out GREAT for Joshua until one day, his teacher saw him outside, having a big, ol' time on the playground...when clearly he wasn't supposed to be there. And, on her way to tell his other teacher about it, she found all the notes!

Oopsie!

BUSTED!

We are so thankful for everyone who kept a close eye on Joshua, and had his best interests at heart, when he was in school.

He's a pretty cool young man, so y'all did a pretty cool job. :)

"Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they keep watch over your souls and will give an account for their work..." Hebrews 13:17

TGIF and Coach Tom Webb

I haven't really posted much on the goings-on around here, because I've been too busy trying to plan out my 31 days of Down Syndrome posts for Facebook. I don't know if this idea was God-inspired, or just a whim that floated through my mind before my first sip of Diet Dr. Pepper one morning...but I thought, "hey...why don't I just write a post for Facebook every day in October...for Down Syndrome Awareness/Acceptance Month."

SURE...why not?

I don't share a whole lot on Facebook, mainly because Joshua has it now...and there are things that I don't want him to read.

And also, my mother-in-law has Facebook now...(so see above reason!). Ha!

They are killing independent George.

(you have to be a Seinfeld fan)

But I found myself with extra time this morning...FINALLY. I sat in my bed and tried to catch up on my reading. There are several blogs that I try to follow every day. This morning, I noticed I was 8 days behind.

EIGHT DAYS.

I know...it's like I don't even know myself anymore.

So, Jim and Clark left around 9 a.m., to go on a mountain-bike ride...and I've been enjoying reading everything from the last 8 days.

Which, PRODUCTIVE. Obviously.

Anyway, I posted on Facebook about Joshua's 3rd grade teacher, Mrs. Webb. I don't really remember a whole lot about that year...mainly because I was knee-deep in 4 kids under 10. And the 10 year old had Down Syndrome...and the baby was born prematurely. And two in-between. This was a wild year.

BUT, I remember that Mrs. Webb's husband was a coach at the Jr. High. Now, Coach Webb was a good man. Like most coaches, he liked order and rule and kids following directions. Annnnnd then there was my spunky, curious, fast-as-lightning Joshua.

One day, Coach Webb was in the gym talking to one of the other coaches. Joshua and his class was finishing up their PE class, and all filing out the door. All of a sudden...and for reasons no one knows...Joshua spied the light-switch on the wall, and flipped off ALL the lights on the way out...and then took off running...laughing all the way!

I don't know if you've ever been in an old gym with the lights off, but: PITCH BLACK. And Coach Webb was in the gym...in the dark...and fuming mad. He was determined to get to Joshua, but...as Joshua said, "he couldn't catch ME!"

Oh, he was finally caught, and he was in big trouble...at school AND at home!

Apparently, the offense was not quickly forgotten by the perpetrator...no one likes to be disciplined, right?

Anyway, we found one of Joshua's old yearbooks the other day. On the "faculty" page was a picture of Coach Webb. Beside it, in red pen, a 7th grade grade Joshua had written: "I do not like you Coach Tom Webb."

And, I didn't share this part on Facebook, but he also drew devil horns on him and gave him gnarly looking facial hair. EEEK!

Thankfully, Joshua got over it, and he and Coach Webb are friends. I am so very thankful for every person who has invested in Joshua's life.

"We were filled with laughter, and we sang for joy..." Psalm 126:2

The Blessing of Mr. Rollo

I was so excited to write today's post on my Facebook. If you're keeping up, I decided to write one post a day during the month of October...to celebrate Down Syndrome Awareness/Acceptance Month.

I've been recycling some old blog posts, changing and shortening them a little...and then posting them on Facebook and IG.

A long time ago, after Joshua had been in school a while, it became apparent that reinforcements were needed...for him, AND for his teacher! :) Enter: Mr. Rollo.

Mr. Rollo had been in the business world for a long time, and he had been retired for a long time. He had to be 80 years old if he was a day. AT LEAST. He told me that he wanted to "give back" to the community by doing something meaningful to fill his days, so he signed up to be a mentor/helper in Joshua's "special-Fred" class. I don't think he had ANY IDEA what he was in for.

I imagine he had visions of reading "My Little Pony" books to a quiet, well-mannered little girl.

WELL.

There were 3 friends in the Special Fred class who were all about the same age: Robert, Matthew, and Joshua...and they gave Mr. Rollo a run for his money! I'm sure he wondered, "WHY didn't I just take up golf?" Ha! But, he was not a quitter, and he faithfully showed up every time. He would help the boys with their reading, some writing, and generally just tried to keep up with them. Bless his heart.

He was always dressed immaculately...dress pants, a nice shirt...and usually a sports coat. He wore cologne and a ring...and he drove a nice car. He was a fine, sweet man. He reminded me of my Dad...good intentions with NO CLUE what he had gotten himself into!

Our family became friendly with Mr. Rollo over time. He was attending our church, and Joshua loved to see him there. I don't know where Mr. Rollo was in his spiritual journey at the time...I'll just tell you what he told me: "Joshua changed me."

EE (evangelism explosion) and MasterLife and knowing the Roman Road...all important tools to equip you in sharing your faith. But sometimes...you just need to tell your story...and live it out. With Joshua, even at an early age, things were black and white. You either loved Jesus...or you loved Jesus. That's it. No other choice.

And Joshua had NO PROBLEM saying what was on his mind, so he was always talking about Jesus and God at school (gasp!). 

God is always at work, and one Sunday during that year, Mr. Rollo walked the aisle of our church, and nailed things down for good. He was baptized soon after. Seeing this tall, proud, older gentleman...being so humble, making his decision public...is a sight I won't soon forget.

Do you think you are too insignificant, too weak, too small? Too old? Too young? Not good enough? Not smart enough? That you've made a mess of your life? That you don't have all the answers? That you have too many questions? Do you think God can't use you because of your past? Because of your present? I'm telling you, if you are willing, GOD CAN.

It wasn't long after Mr. Rollo's salvation that he died unexpectedly. Joshua blamed himself for the longest time. Apparently, in a moment of frustration at school, he had called Mr. Rollo a "bird-brain." He used to say, "I called Mr. Rollo a bird-brain...and then he died." That's the only reason he could think of in his little mind...that would've caused Mr. Rollo's sudden death.

Now, tho, Joshua knows more about life. He's learned more about death. He believes more about Heaven.

We'll see you soon, Mr. Rollo.

"...whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of Mine, you did for Me." Matthew 25:40

A Good Teacher: Mrs.Faith

I am continuing with my posts on Facebook for Down Syndrome Acceptance Month.

In 2nd grade, again on the recommendation of Mrs. Thomas, we met another wonderful teacher, who would change all of our lives for the better: Lee Ann Faith.

It was love at first sight for my little Joshua. He called her "Miss Fafe," and it was the cutest thing ever. There were still some frustrating days, but SHE was never frustrated with him...or with me. She never pointed out a challenge she was having with Joshua...without pointing out several positive things about him, and how he was doing in her class.

This year was also significant to our family, because it was the year I was pregnant with Clark. When I went to the hospital in pre-term labor with him...and then when he was born 12 1/2 weeks early...it was hard on our whole family, because of the seriousness and uncertainty involved with Clark.

And, as much help as we had from our friends, and Jim's mom, our lives were kind-of turned upside-down for a MINUTE.

Mrs. Faith tells about one day...she couldn't find Joshua. She thought that maybe he had walked down to Mrs. Thomas' class, but she checked with Mrs. Thomas, and he wasn't there. She finally found him in the bathroom, all alone, and crying because he missed his Mom...and he was worried about his baby brother.

Joshua said that Mrs. Faith said, "I'm not your mom, but I'll hug you and take care of you while you're here at school."

SERIOUSLY? I mean, do we not all want teachers like that for our kids?

No amount of money or training or classes can replace the tender words of a caring teacher.

Even so, PAY OUR TEACHERS MORE MONEY.

They have such an important role in our families, in our communities...and in the future of our country.

TEACHERS ROCK.

"...who knows if perhaps you were made...for such a time as this." Esther 4:14

The Power of ONE: Lindsey Walker

So, I'm writing 31 days on Down Syndrome...our experiences, memories, etc...on my Facebook.

Today, I wrote about the power of ONE.

On some of my Facebook posts, I'm using stuff I've already written...but haven't put out on Facebook.

That's cool, right? I hope so.

My blog isn't private right now, but I don't typically link it to my Facebook because of Joshua. I feel like I can write more freely on my blog, because he doesn't read it. If he figures it out, I'm sunk.

During Joshua's 2nd year of Kindergarten, he met Lindsey Walker. Lindsey's mom was a teacher at their school, and they lived in our neighborhood. I don't know how it happened, or why, but Lindsey Walker latched on to Joshua...and would not let him go. She became his friend, confidant, protector and helper.

Her family also went to our church, so she and Joshua were in Sunday School and children's choir together. He couldn't get away from her if he tried! Lindsey Walker told him what to do and when to do it. She helped him when he needed help...and even sometimes when he didn't!

She fought WITH him...and she fought FOR him. She was a friend to Joshua, and a blessing to this Momma for sure!

Joshua and Lindsey Walker stayed friends all the way through school. I think they were even football managers together in the 7th grade. They graduated together, and Lindsey headed to college...to be a TEACHER.

Joshua's life would've been quite different without Lindsey Walker, I'm certain of it.

If you are a parent, tell this to your kids...if you're a teacher, tell your students...if you're a student, understand this: never underestimate the influence you can have in the life of even ONE other person.

All that Joshua accomplished in school first started with ONE teacher who believed in him...and ONE little girl...who took a chance on an unlikely friendship with ONE little boy...and it made ALL the difference in the world.

"The heartfelt counsel of a friend is as sweet as perfume and incense." Proverbs 27:9