Cedars Story

Real life Down Syndrome Awareness

Down Syndrome Awareness Products

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Down Syndrome awareness products

The BEST Down Syndrome Awareness Products from Companies you SHOULD support.

Let me start by telling you that I am biased.  Yes, I admit it.  I don’t like to order Down Syndrome awareness gear from big box companies or companies that are in no way affiliated with the Down Syndrome community, you know why?  Because they are just in it for the money and they have no vested interest.  There, I have said it and you now know my bias…so with that out of the way, let me share with you some amazing companies that you WANT to make purchases with.  These companies create Down Syndrome Awareness Products and or products produced by individuals with Down Syndrome.  That means to me that when I make a purchase, I am supporting a family raising a child with Down Syndrome, the dreams of an individual with Down Syndrome, or the future of someone who has Down Syndrome.  To me, that is quite important so you won’t find me ordering tees or other products from any company that is simply putting cool shirts, socks or other items out there.

So, here it is, my recommendations for some amazing companies that you should order from…

Our tribe is creative, innovative, and has a lot to offer.  From individuals with Down Syndrome who have pioneered entreprenurialship to parents who have a desire to spread awareness… You will find this list helpful.

 

1.  Beautiful jewelry created by yours truly and inspired by Cedar himself can be found at 6arrowsdesigns

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2.  A lil something extra has some great Tees and Katie is the mom to a little boy whom she adopted that rocks his extra chromosome.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3. An Extra Blessing has some of the most beautiful handmade items I have ever owned and Cedar has modeled for more than a few of her designs.  I LOVE Sheila’s crochet work and her daughter is her muse, Dianna also has Down Syndrome and happens to be one of my favorite models.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4.  I am so impressed by this business, Colettys Cookies are baked and marketed by a beautiful young lady who has Down Syndrome and didn’t let that get in her way of having a business of her own!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

5. Gabe the Babe is a company run by the parents of Gabe, a little boy with Down Syndrome.  I got the chance to meet Kristie this year at the DSDN moms retreat in Arizona and she is such a sweetie.  Not to mention, we own a number of their tees! (My favorite is the Down Syndrome Definition shirt!)

 

 

6. The Glory Days a planner for parents of children with special needs.  This is a fantastic resource that was created by Amanda, mom to Rory who was born not long after Cedar and she also rocks her extra chromosome.

7.  Who doesn’t love some fun and crazy socks?  Especially for World Down Syndrome day, Check out John’s Crazy socks a company run by a young man who has Down Syndrome and his dad.

 

 

 

 

 

8. Laura’s greetings is a notecard company with cards designed by Laura herself.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

9. Littlest Warrior is run by Michelle, mom to Eli who has Down Syndrome.  Michelle has gone on to create and design shirts for not only those in the Down Syndrome community but also a host of other special needs loved ones.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

10.  Megan Bomgaars is well known for her role on the Emmy award winning “Born this Way” show but she is also an entrepreneur with her own clothing and accessory line.  Check out Megology for some great tees.

 

 

 

 

11.  Need some abstract art?  How about checking out the story behind Sevy Marie?

You can see her painting some beautiful works on her site and purchase some for your home as well.  Sevy was adopted from Bulgaria where she spent her first decade institutionalized before becoming a US citizen.  Her story is beyond powerful and Sevy has Down Syndrome.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

12.  Another face from the show “Born this Way” is Sean who has some of the best “seanisms” you have ever heard.  In fact, these sayings are so iconic that he has been able to start a Tee shirt business with his sayings and we have a few of his tees, check out Seanese.com for this entreprenuer’s company, don’t hold back a man just because he has Down Syndrome.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

13.  This one is a personal favorite, ReevesTees. 

Reeve is a little boy who has Down Syndrome and his mom took the idea of a Tshirt company to the next level by copyrighting her famous “Homie with an Extra Chromie” phrase and employing young adults with Down Syndrome to package all of her tees.  My favorite is that when you get your order you have a card all about the individual who packaged it for you!  All of the employees have Down Syndrome.

 

14. Beyond the Waves

We love Julia and her twin brother, Michael (who has Down Syndrome) and Julia just launched her shop where she makes beautiful jewelry like we do!

 

 

 

 

15. Don’t forget Woven with 47 where you can get tees and custom work done too!  This is a family owned business honoring and supporting beautiful Hannah who has Down Syndrome.

 

Did we miss any of your favorites?  Do you have another shop that is run by an individual with Down Syndrome or the family of an individual with Down Syndrome?

 

 

 

 

 

 

16. Special Needs Games-

This company makes fun and engaging games for those with special needs (and their typical siblings too!)  The best part is they have 2 children with different abilities, including Ryan who has Down Syndrome.

 

Should You Tell Your Child They Have Down Syndrome?

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Should you tell your child they have down syndrome

Should You Tell Your Child They Have Down Syndrome?

This was a question that I heard two moms talking about and frankly, it puzzled me a bit.  I overheard them talking, both newer moms, and one said to the other she was never going to tell her child he had Down Syndrome.  I seriously scratched my head at this one…  It has never once crossed my mind to NOT tell my child he has Down Syndrome. So that leaves me wondering, should you tell your child they have Down Syndrome?

In the beginning, when we were still processing our son’s diagnosis we didn’t tell the world.  Our reasons at that time were to allow ourselves time to process and navigate the emotions that come with a birth diagnosis.  It wasn’t long before we found our bearings and felt that we should go ahead and share the news with friends and family.  In fact, when Cedar was 2 weeks old I wrote a post that was what we shared with the world so we didn’t have to tell people one by one.  I have to tell you, I felt so much better and the fear started leaving me at that point.

Related Post: The First Post We Shared With The World

From then forward Down Syndrome is a non-issue.  We share Cedar with the world and yes, big surprise, he has Down Syndrome.  Because we are so involved in the Down Syndrome community at this point his diagnosis is just part of daily conversation so I doubt he will ever even ask, but if he does, it won’t be hidden from him.

I think I felt so perplexed by the conversation I overheard because I can’t imagine trying to keep something like that from your child.  I mean, if your child has asthma would you NOT tell him or her?  Okay, I get that asthma is not an intellectual disability but what about if your child had dyslexia?  My husband has dyslexia and has always struggled with some things because of it.  What if his mother had never told him that he had dyslexia?  I don’t think that he was in any way scarred by knowing that he has what is considered a “learning disability.”  It hasn’t held him back in any way.  He may have to work harder but it hasn’t stopped him from attaining a college degree and a career that allows him to support a family of 8.

So, should you tell your child that they have Down Syndrome?  In my opinion, yes, you should.  There are things that are going to be harder for my son to learn and do and I don’t want him to be ashamed of any part of him.  He has an extra copy of his 21st chromosome, that is how he was designed by God and therefore it is an integral part of who he is.  I will not allow him to use it as an excuse for anything, nor to claim his disability as a reason he is not willing to try something, but, he will know everything about himself, and his extra chromosome.

What are your thoughts on this?  Have you ever heard of a parent not telling their child they have Down Syndrome?

Should you tell your child they have down syndrome?

 

What Down Syndrome Looks Like- I thought I knew…

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I Thought I Knew What Down Syndrome Looked Like

I Knew What Down Syndrome Looked Like…

When we learned of my son’s diagnosis of Down Syndrome I had a mental image of what Down Syndrome looked like.  Each individual that I had ever seen who had Down Syndrome had similar characteristics, the eyes, the forehead, the shorter stature.  It isn’t hard to someone out of a crowd who has Down Syndrome.  The hair color may be different, the cultural background may be different, but the similar facial features are always present.

That is where I got stuck, when I learned that my son had Down Syndrome I got stuck for a bit seeing just those characteristics and that is what permeated my whole vision.  I think that the shock of a birth diagnosis can affect a person, even a loving parent, for a brief time where their mind is truly trying to comprehend all the new information that it is being fed. The thing is, I thought I knew what Down Syndrome was because it is something that you can see on the outside. I was so very misinformed.  What I now see when I look at someone with the physical characteristics of Down Syndrome is vastly different.

Now it is the invisible that comes into focus.


I see tenacity

It isn’t easy to have to work harder than everyone else just to be able to master those first gross motor skills.  It is a challenge to have to be put through exercises daily to be able to strengthen your muscle tone to be able to do the things that come effortlessly to others.  It is hard to make your mouth form intricate sounds and utterances.

I see wonder

In a way that is lost when a person grows up and becomes more cynical, but so far, that is not something that seems to be present in individuals I have connected with.  Cynicism is not there because, there is optimism, and wonder about the world around us.

I see possibilities

When society doesn’t box in what a person is capable of, simply because of their diagnosis, the possibilities are vast.  It is possible that individuals with Down Syndrome can live independently, marry, hold jobs, go to college, become entrepreneurs, and surprise you.  The possibilities really are infinite.

I see contentment

I am learning that a person can be quite content with who they are and be quite confident and comfortable in their own skin.  Many of the individuals I am now meeting have a lot to teach the rest of the world about being comfortable being who they are and not apologizing for it.  I see  a level of content that surpasses the extra 10 pounds a person carries, the color of hair they were born with, and even the height that they grow to.

I see compassion

I am a compassionate person, but I am seeing, even in my own very young son, a keen ability to pick up on the emotions of others and be in tune emotionally to a degree that I have not seen in the general population.  There is a level of emotional sensitivity that most people are not capable of.

I see beauty

In the characteristics that I initially was taken aback by, I see beauty.  It is there in my son’s eyes that disappear into beautiful crescent moons when a smile overtakes his entire face.  It is there in the perfectly adorable, chubby short fingers.  It is there in the confidence exuded by young adults.  Down syndrome is beautiful.

While I thought I knew what Down Syndrome looked like, in the beginning, there was actually quite a bit that I was not seeing.  I now know that it is the characteristics that are not present physically that are often overlooked and  truly the most important.

 

October Down Syndrome Awareness Facts #18

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There were a few other happenings that year, in 1971, that are also worth noting.  The court case In Wyatt v. Stickney also is the first that creates a law requiring those with handicaps and mental disabilities to receive an education.

We have come along way, but around the world there are still many more hurdles to overcome when it comes to rights for those with special needs.

In Case You’re Down- A Down Syndrome Diagnosis

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In case you're down birth story

In Case You’re Down- A Down Syndrome Diagnosis

There are many moms who will learn about a Down Syndrome diagnosis at birth, that is how our family learned about it too.  Some of us will go on to advocate fiercely in hopes of easing the transition for those moms who come after us, when they feel shell-shocked, when they are scared. In Case You’re Down A Down Syndrome Diagnosis. Andrea is just one of those amazing mamas hoping to help others, encourage moms and show the world that Down Syndrome is not as scary as we fear.  She has created the most beautiful and touching video in the hopes that new families will see it and find immense encouragement.  Her son Case, the impetus for her trailblazing is the light of her world.  Here’s Andrea’s story and her brilliant video, please share it so that we can circulate the positive side of Down Syndrome.

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