The new season of Sesame Street debuted this week! I won’t say I’m obsessed with Sesame Street, but I have loved it since before I was born. It’s the 43rd season; I’m 42 years old. Do the math or go read what I had to say about this wonderful show last year.
Speaking of Sesame Street, prepare to be shocked. The lovable furry red preschool monster named Elmo that you know today was brought to life by Kevin Clash in 1985. However, Elmo appeared as early as 1972 in a recurring minor monster role with a completely different voice than what he has now (he actually had a few different voices prior to 1985). Behold, the early Elmo – don’t say I didn’t warn you.
Down Syndrome Awareness Month is upon us, and I need your help (but it’s easy and costs you nothing). I’d like to do the 31 for 21 Blog Challenge again, but 31 days straight of blogging is, well, a challenge. 🙂 So…I’m opening up the floor for reader questions. If there’s enough interest, I’ll blog answers to the questions. You can send an email or use my contact form, or go completely anonymous by dropping your question in the form below.
As long as you keep it clean, nothing is off limits – Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, birth stories, parenting, photography. What do you want to know?
I’ve been surprised by how many people have recognized Nathan from his magazine cover photo. Two strangers at the Sarah Kate’s softball tournament last weekend, a lady at church (who we know by sight but aren’t really acquaintances), and a fourth woman this week. To be honest, I really didn’t know that many people noticed the magazine, since it’s a freebie, and I’m even more surprised at how many people remember what the kid looks like on the cover.
We’re still waiting for the modeling agencies to call…
I have an update on Hussain! You may remember earlier this year learning about the Preemptive Love Coalition and their quest to provide heart surgery for seven year old Hussain, a boy with Down syndrome living in Iraq. Well, Hussain’s wait finally ended. He received his lifesaving surgery, and you can watch the entire six-hour procedure in two minutes by clicking the video below (don’t worry – no blood!) You can also visit Hussain’s page for more information and photos of this very special boy.
Do you have a child with cerebral palsy, age 12 months up to 6 years? If so, you may be interested in a new research study at Duke University using cord blood. We didn’t store Sarah Kate’s cord blood (and if we had, she’s too old for the study), but recent research has shown a great deal of promise in this area.
Lots of people claim the old “but I didn’t mean it way!” excuse for using the R-word and other disability slurs. I get that most of them really aren’t thinking of people with disabilities when they use those words. But the thing is…a lot of people DO intend to slam kids with disabilities, and by using the same language, the more naive among us are fueling the fire. Don’t believe me that people slam those with disabilities on purpose? Check out Ellen Seidman’s recent post on T-shirts that slam kids with special needs.
And last but not least…it’s BUDDY WALK time! Our local walk will be held on October 20 and we’ll be walking as team “Powered by Nathan” again. We’d like to have you donate to us, but we’d love it even more if you’d join us. The gulf coast is beautiful in October. 🙂
Have a great weekend!
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This post was inspired by and is linked to Conversion Diary‘s 7 Quick Takes.
I too dislike people who slam people with disablites on purpose. Heres a story to boil your blood:
This week was picture day at my high school and a new company was doing the pictures. I wear a hearing aid and when i went to get my picture taken I was told to remove the thing in my ear. I did not but got mad. Today there was an anoouncement that the fired the picture company for refusing to photograph students with special needs or as they put it B.R.I.D.G.E.S. students (thats what the class is called) so everyone has to get theier picture retaken and wwill get refunds blah blah blah. But on the other hand everyone in my class (freshmen) is going compltey Spread The Word To End The Word. Not only is it our class’s cause but a group of us are working with a teacher to et a amendment made to the haressment policy about the r-word.
Sigh. SO frustrating. But KUDOS to you for refusing and to the school for taking a stand. And…BRAVO for Spread the Word to End the Word. We have to start somewhere, and I’m so proud that you and your peers are on board.