Keeping it Real

I have taken some heat recently for my “positive and hopeful” blogging style--either for not being completely honest, or for not having covered enough of the dark side to raising children with Down syndrome (?).

This is an advocacy blog. Beyond that, I don't see a "dark side" to raising children with Ds.  Yes, it is tough at times to parent a child with Down syndrome. It is also tough at times to parent children without Down syndrome. I expect to feel challenged sometimes.

I'll willingly mull over difficult topics or feelings, but I don't linger in the dark places. And I don't focus on them. Maybe that is part of facing life-threatening illness--a desire to live in the light as opposed to rolling around in the dark, a conscious intention to be grateful, as well as to figure things out and move on.

While I love the network of support and idea-sharing that has come through blogging, I didn't set out to find it.

This blog is a way to help others see that a diagnosis of Down syndrome is not the end of the world. It is not a place for me to vent, complain or garner support.  It is a way to open doors for Bridget, Alina and other people with Ds, and to help parents with a new diagnosis.

"Keeping it Real" is the phrase that has been used to suggest that certain bloggers (myself included) are not being honest.  And I am left wondering exactly what the phrase really means, because I think it means different things for different people.

I hope that what people are looking for is depth and truth within reality, whether that is sunny or rocky. We all have a bunch of both of those things--the blissful moments and the ones that just plain stink.

As with any family, things are less sparkly over here sometimes :), but we are truly thriving and enjoying life. 

We enjoy and value our girls with Down syndrome.  We think they're both awesome, and we believe in them wholeheartedly. 

If you visit here, I hope that is what you'll take away.  I can't apologize for that.  That is the whole point of this blog ;).