God Doesn't Make Mistakes

Discovery!!~~A video on You tube that celebrates the joy of a child with Down Syndrome! The video, "God Doesn't Make Mistakes" can be found on www.youtube.com/watch?v=NfuaNhXI1Ao. Why was Jeff born with D.S.? Why was his friend next to him on the stairs born prematurely? What made his older friend take them both under her young wing?!? I do not know; but what I do know is that all of us mothers were blessed more than we ever thought possible!
Doctors don't know it all -- they need to learn from us mothers! We need to stay on top of situations, and be a team with doctors, teachers, and other people in our special needs children's lives. No, God does not make mistakes!!

Music Lover

Look closely at that face ~~ innocent? Plotting? Maneuvering? Mom has just said, "Get down! Now!" after a book in Jeff's hand "helped" the record player play the records. This photo is an illustration of one of the stories in "Journey With Jeff" about his love of music, which began very early. As soon as he discovered that melodies came from that box we called the record player, Jeff climbed up as close as possible to watch and to listen. One of his favorite albums was A Child's Introduction to the Orchestra. He learned the sounds of all the instruments, often pointing them out within the music being played. "Bass Fiddle, Mom!" he'd shout out with glee. We were hearing more and more words, and delighting in Jeff's delight. When the music began at a church service, Jeff's head lifted from whatever he was doing, ready to sing along in "Jeffanese" with the congregation. By the time he was an adult, people were aware he was attending church that Sunday when they heard his voice singing the melody -- just one beat behind. (FYI, Jeff did get down. He left the book on a table and climbed right back up.)

Another Blast From the Past

"One of the surprises in your book," writes my friend, Claudia "was Jeff's speech therapist in the Rome area named, Sigrid. My cousin, Sigrid was a speech therapist in this area! She's now retired, living six months in Arizona and the rest in upstate NY. Do you suppose she's the same person mentioned in Journey With Jeff? Claudia continues, "I didn't even realize you lived in our area. We attended several services and events at Ascension Lutheran Church after you'd been there. As I read "Journey," I shared some with my daughter. I couldn't put the book down!! Jeff was a truly special boy, and such faith and love and patience is so special. Now my daughter wants one of your books!"~~~Yes, Claudia, I would dearly love to send you a copy of Journey With Jeff for your daughter. Are you ready, Jeff, to travel East? (Photo is Jeff in his wheelchair at Ascension before the A-line cast to correct the Legg Perthes was removed.)

Our Postman's Wife

I often meet our postman, Brian, at our mailbox to chat a bit. Last summer he bought a copy of
my book, "Journey With Jeff; Inspiration for Caregivers of People With Special Needs," probably -- mostly -- because his wife was looking for a job at Lifetime Assistance Inc., and Jeff had been a resident there. Today Brian said his wife has finished "Journey," indicating that she knows Jeff's mentor, Ernie really well. "The people in that book have been at LAI for a long time," she commented. YES!! That's one of the best things about the organization -- small turnover. The clients and residents have had these advocates for much of their lives. Someday I may get to meet Brian's wife, and thank her for her interest in working with Our Kids! To read four excerpts from "Journey" go to www.luther95.com/UNYSWE-ANY/ and click on Resources, then scroll down to "Journey With Jeff." You can order your own copy on Amazon.com. Enjoy!

BIG BIRD's CAR!!

Remember Lance from the Lifetime Assistance Inc. staff whom Jeff nicknamed "Big Bird"? Jeff loved to do things with and for Lance, and was delighted one summer day to help him by washing his car. (Read this story on www.luther95.com/UNYSWE-ANY/--Click on Resources,
and scroll down to "Journey With Jeff.") This is my totally favorite story in the entire book, and whenever I am asked to be a speaker, I always share this one. It draws a ton of laughter!!~~~Today, I met Lance in the wintery LAI parking lot, and he offered his arm to walk me to my car. Royalty! I felt like Royalty! "About 450 copies of "Journey With Jeff" have been sold or gifted so far," I informed him. "I'm so honored to be in that book!" Lance said. "So many people have come up to me and asked if I was Big Bird. One person asked me to sign 'Big Bird' in their copy!"~~~I love it when I meet Lance somewhere-- it doesn't happen often. I remember the friendship he and Jeff had and I'm warmed all over again! (Photo is of Jeff at his residence where he washed "Big Bird's Car.")

Conversations With Kim - My Cheerleader!

Kim works with adults with special needs at a Rochester agency. I met her at our Lutheran Women's convention in October where she bought a copy of "Journey With Jeff." She has a special place in her heart for people who live with Down syndrome. We had lots to share, and she calls me her "mentor," enthusiastically talking about the book to everyone she can. Howie works at the agency, too, and related how he met Jeff and me at Camp Joy. This photo of Jeff and Howie at Camp Joy made her smile, and comment that "when people with Downs smile, it lights up the whole room!"~~~Kim's thoughts mean even more when she tells me she's a twin, born blind, and with no muscle tone. Her mother worked unbelievably hard and long on her legs, even when the doctors said it was hopeless. The three optical operations she had, and the persistent sessions with her legs resulted in being able to see, and then, for 29 years to hold the job she has now!! Kim is one of my best cheerleaders! She has asked me to send her a dozen copies of the book, and 1/2 dozen CDs of "Journey With Jeff," imagining every person she can possibly tell about the difference Jeff made in God's world! You go, girl!!