Tag: a-little-bit-different-a-lot-the-same

October is Down Syndrome Awareness and ACCEPTANCE MONTH!!!

Sign reads “OCTOBER IS DOWN SYNDROME AWARENESS MONTH!!”; girl’s shirt reads “CELEBRATING ME.”
Just a little bit different, a lot the same!! Do you enjoy any of the activities that I do??.

AI generated pictures are really fun! This one shows my interests and personality! Even if it doesn’t look exactly like me, the unique charm of these images helps you understand my vibe and character in a creative way!

October is officially Down Syndrome Awareness Month, kicking off in 1980 thanks to some awesome folks at the National Down Syndrome Society (NDSS). The whole point? To educate everyone about what it’s like to rock life with Down Syndrome! It’s not just about the challenges; it’s a fabulous confetti party celebrating the unique abilities, strengths, and downright incredible accomplishments of those with Down Syndrome. After all, we’re all just “a little bit different, but A LOT the same”—like mismatched socks that somehow manage to be the life of the party!

Down Syndrome Awareness Month isn’t just about spreading knowledge; it’s about busting those age-old myths and stereotypes! We’re here to teach everyone the real scoop about us and sprinkle a little bit of fun along the way!! Picture this: inclusion everywhere—school, work, community—a dream come true for us!! Helping us feel like we totally belong and that we MATTER is also a reason Down Syndrome Awareness Month exists. And hey, that’s why I prefer to call it Down Syndrome ACCEPTANCE month!!

So now that that is done….here’s what I have been up to lately, and the challenges that I have faced.

First an update on the move to my new apartment! The buildings are coming along and I am getting very excited!!!

Construction site featuring green multi-family buildings in progress, with a large dumpster and piles of gravel in the foreground, under a partly cloudy sky.
A construction site featuring new residential buildings, parked vehicles, and construction equipment under a clear blue sky with fluffy clouds.

I know it is not going to happen until 2027, but that isn’t that far away! I am already working on the list of things I would like to have, taking pictures of things I really like, so I can find them again later! I am exploring the area where the apartments are going to be, checking out the walking path, the nearest grocery store, and how long it would take me to walk to work! I am working hard on my cooking skills, learning new recipes, safety awareness, and budgeting for the grocery store!

Some of the challenges I have are because I am short. I am only 4 and a half feet tall!!! Reaching the stove is sometimes hard. I have to have controls on the front of the stove so I can control the burners, and so I can reach without getting burned. I need lower counters so I can reach to do things like cutting up vegetables safely and washing dishes…something I don’t like to do!!

A young person in a red shirt stands at a stove, happily stirring vegetables in a small pot with a wooden spoon.
A plate of pasta with vegetables including broccoli and carrots, topped with a creamy sauce. A fork is placed beside the plate.

Because I struggle with me weight, I am learning a lot about nutrition and eating healthy. Cameron is helping me a lot with that! I am also doing a lot of exercise and drinking a lot of water! I go to Zumba every Monday night with my Auntie Dawn. It is a lot of fun and keeps me moving!! I have all my exercise stuff at the ILC (Independent Learning Center apartment with MARC), so can work out there or at the gym. I love doing exercise videos there with my support staff, and at home in my room.

A person wearing a bright yellow tank top and black shorts, standing in a room with headphones on, facing away from the camera. The background includes a bed with blue bedding, a rug, and a container on the floor.
A person wearing a bright yellow tank top and black shorts, viewed from behind, is standing in a room with a rug and other furniture. They are wearing headphones and appear to be engaged in a workout or stretching activity.

ZUMBA MOVES!

A person with Down syndrome is participating in a dance class, wearing a blue top and maroon pants, standing on a wooden floor surrounded by other dancers in a gym setting.
Monday night ZUMBA class with Auntie Dawn!

Work is going great! I love my job at Brookdale South Windsor.Camero I have so many friends there. When I’m not working, I just really enjoy visiting with the residents. I am still working on finding a job at a daycare or preschool, but I am happy where I am. Delivering packages gives me a chance to see residents I don’t always see downstairs. Helping with Bingo can be challenging at times, because I have to help more than one person and watch many cards at once, but I do my best! It is exciting for me when one of the residents I am working with gets BINGO!!

Now that Cameron is back at work and doing his online classes, we don’t spend as much time hanging out as we were over the summer. I have other support staff who I work with during the week. Our last outing for the summer was the Dream Ride event at the end of August. It was so much fun, even thought the weather wasn’t very nice. The best part of the day? I got to ride with the same driver I had last year!!!

Two young people smiling for a selfie at an outdoor event, with a grassy field and cars in the background.
A smiling man with a beard and a woman with Down syndrome pose for a selfie in front of a car with a roof rack, wearing casual attire and event badges.

Cameron has been introducing me to some of his favorite places to eat and helping me make healthy choices!

A girl sitting at a restaurant table, smiling while holding a fork. In front of her, there is a bowl of salad topped with shredded carrots and cucumber slices.

Well that’s it for now! Be back soon! I have a lot more to share!!!

Thanks for reading!!

A NOTE FROM MOM:

Yes, I am one of the “Lucky Few” who have been blessed with a child with Down syndrome. I get to experience the joy Chelsea brings to the lives of so many, first hand. Don’t get me wrong, there are moments when she is every bit the “typical” young adult…head strong, opinionated, sarcastic (even though she doesn’t understand it coming from others), and with just a little bit of sass and attitude…..just ask her sister..but those moments go along with the territory of being “a little bit different, a lot the same”. I wouldn’t change anything about her, as much as she challenges me at times! She is exactly as she is supposed to be! She is accepted. She is loved beyond words. She is Chelsea.