Archive for January 2016

One of Those Part 2

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If you follow me, you may have read a blog post in which I shared an experience I had recently. After posting it I heard from many people saying they had the same experience or one like it, and thanked me for writing the post. 

Two comments from two friends got me thinking in a different way.



Their reactions surprised me, and quite honestly made pause. 

What if we flipped the message, and instead of it being a negative, we all share it in a positive light?

What if we started with the words "One of those" and added athletes, artists, readers... you get the drift? What if we accented on the incredibly wonderful attributes of people we know and love? 

Well, I guess that really resonated with people because my Facebook went crazy with posts and photos. Quite honestly I could not keep up with how many people were tagging me. To say I was a little overwhelmed by the response is an understatement. 

Most filled in the blank, many did not. However, the pride and joy by all of the families was palpable.

Here are a few of my favorites,(shared with permission) though truth be told, I love every single beautiful photo posted and tagged for me to see. Our community is incredible and I could not be more proud to stand by your sides. 

I love this first post because it accents on the fact that her son is just like his siblings!! 
Of course he is! Now the world knows too!


This next one took my breath away! Tears filled my eyes as I read this one! Absolutely beautiful!



This next post is from a dear friend and, again, tears welled in my eyes reading this. I love when two friends connect from shared experiences! Without a doubt my friend, Alicia, and I have connected over the years as we both have parented beautiful daughters who have given us our keys into the disabilities community. 


The joy and simplicity of this next post made my heart leap for joy! Lyvi loves school just like most children do at her age. She is more alike than she is different and a little darling to boot. 


And then there is this one. This really resonated with me! A few years ago a study was released that shared the following information about the lives of individuals who have Down syndrome:

99% of those who live with Down syndrome are happy with their life. 97% of those who live with Down syndrome like who they are. 96% of those who live with Down syndrome like how they look. Nearly 99% of those with Down syndrome expressed love for their families. 

Margie did an incredible job of sharing this information, in a beautiful, thoughtful way! 

The phrase "one of those" was taking on a new meaning. 



And she and her husband continued the messages in their comments. 


What started out with my friends encouraging me to feel better about my experience was now coming at me at lightening speed through tags on social media. When I asked my friends to help me turn this from a negative to a positive by sharing a statement about their loved ones, I never expected to see it grow so quickly. But grow it did! Thank you to each of you who shared your incredible message of love and life!




I love to have the voices of the community heard so I am going to write a Part 3 blog post in which I share the reactions from many perspectives on this little hashtag event. I love to learn from the experiences that come my way, and this experience was no different. 

*All photos were used with permission from the person who posted on my page. 

One of Those...

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Today this happened.

I was talking to someone who asked me about Dreamers.

After I shared all of my hopes and dreams for MaryEllen, and the role she will play in helping me run Dreamers, he said this....

"We have some of those in our church."

"In fact, I think my son had one of those in his class too."

One of "those".

I guess he missed her name.


Barbies for St. Jude.....Another batch of Barbies delivered!

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My daughter, Megan, and I delivered another batch of Barbies to St. Jude. We are thrilled that they continue to come our way. 

St. Jude shared with us how they are giving away all of the Barbies that we delivered last summer from your generous donations. 





Not long after we brought the first batch of Barbies, St. Jude threw a Barbie party for the girls, and a super hero party for the boys.

They told us also, that they give Barbies and Super Hero Action figures to the patients who need that little extra encouragement. 

And now they give a Barbie or a Super Hero every time they celebrate at their "No more chemo!" party. 

It goes something like this: At the end of the treatment, the team from St. Jude sing a song which ends with the words "Pack up your bags, head out the door, you don't get chemo any more!"  At this celebration, they are given a Barbie or a Super Hero Action figure. We were thrilled to hear that ME's Barbies were being used for a wonderful time such as this! 

I found this video on youtube. I did not record the video. However, it is a perfect example of the song that is sung during their "No More Chemo." party.



This  is a place that is like no other place on earth. 
The fight happens daily at St. Jude. 


You see the light hearted fun that is happening, right along side the heart breaking pain.

You are reminded of this battle every where you look.

From the art that is hanging on the walls created by St. Jude patients...



To the creative writing that is also hanging written by St. Jude patients.





All the way...to the patients that are filing in seeking the cure that cannot happen fast enough.

St. Jude does, and will continue to do, what ever they need to do to save the life of a child.

You cannot leave St. Jude with out being changed.

Today, I am more passionate about getting Barbies to St. Jude than I was the day I first shared with all of you that I was going to collect Barbies for ME's Party 4 St. Jude.  I know what Barbies have meant to MaryEllen through the years, during medical procedures, and new transitions. I know now what they mean to the children at St. Jude.

If you are still interested in helping us, we are looking for Barbies of many ethnicities. We plan to celebrate ME's birthday in March by continuing to collect Barbies for St. Jude. If you feel inclined, you can mail them to:
ME's Barbie Party 4 St. Jude Part 2
2095 Exeter Rd Suite 80-227
Germantown, TN 38138


To those who have already shared the love by sending Barbies and Super Hero Action figures, thank you from the bottom of mine and ME's hearts. There really is not a thank you that is big enough. You all made the difference in many children's lives. You all are my real life Super Heroes!