tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-80799781206334531692024-03-13T15:07:38.605-04:00Live Life Laksh SizeDown syndrome: Our stories matterSmriti Zalpuri Kumarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13660348059096824499noreply@blogger.comBlogger51125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8079978120633453169.post-116334657718219492021-08-12T10:13:00.001-04:002021-08-12T11:19:50.203-04:00To the makers of the movie Mimi<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRhwv7ME_bHCIkxp9CsKyyA8oEZFBIWcMB-dquwFq4OvYwVmKf7WXIuuTYz7BLxmtTIZ7WK4hk0w6zgrQ2p_ufhzwhTypeupN-lG2zQ9Z4EpvcrprU8xP5n7k0f7iIjxxlGVA0TQ_Bst4/s2048/3237D22D-089C-4758-A33C-480B45C92EC1.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRhwv7ME_bHCIkxp9CsKyyA8oEZFBIWcMB-dquwFq4OvYwVmKf7WXIuuTYz7BLxmtTIZ7WK4hk0w6zgrQ2p_ufhzwhTypeupN-lG2zQ9Z4EpvcrprU8xP5n7k0f7iIjxxlGVA0TQ_Bst4/s320/3237D22D-089C-4758-A33C-480B45C92EC1.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p>First of all, I would like to thank you for opening the dialogue about Down syndrome in our Indian society. Thank you for showing that a child (in utero) with or without a disability deserves a chance to be born. Thank you for showing the varied reactions parents can have when receiving the diagnosis of Down syndrome for their unborn or just born child, even as honest as having talks of terminating the pregnancy.</p><p>I am a mom to a baby boy Laksh, who turned 4 on the weekend of August 1st when we watched your movie on netflix. I was pleasantly surprised to learn of the plot of the movie but I ended up with an ache in my heart to learn that even though the diagnosis was given with utmost surety (the words ‘has Down syndrome’ not ‘may have Down syndrome’ were used), the child did not end up having Down syndrome. The lead actor says, “ Bachche mein problem nahi Nikli but tumhari soch mein nikli” (the child didn’t end up having a problem but your thinking sure did). But the point is having Down syndrome is NOT a problem but thinking that way is.</p><p> If only the child did in fact have Down syndrome and everything else in your story remained the same, it would have been perfect, just like my Laksh.</p>Smriti Zalpuri Kumarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13660348059096824499noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8079978120633453169.post-58288758194237124722020-09-18T08:22:00.004-04:002020-09-22T15:14:35.834-04:00Pumping is breastfeeding too<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ5ot2tU7VRgOvHnx5D7LrbjF8upYq7CxOzwSvxP9cMlU0QI3I7e80missXzy-Gf5llXwlo347UnQA6mHtkZtYBrE1Cs8mOqB7YrKy5RlxodEO4waw7Tbl-HbRSZT7CRWSyCqwthVDiJg/s2048/D3F35D99-E32E-470A-A1DA-A5550DA1B3B3.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ5ot2tU7VRgOvHnx5D7LrbjF8upYq7CxOzwSvxP9cMlU0QI3I7e80missXzy-Gf5llXwlo347UnQA6mHtkZtYBrE1Cs8mOqB7YrKy5RlxodEO4waw7Tbl-HbRSZT7CRWSyCqwthVDiJg/s320/D3F35D99-E32E-470A-A1DA-A5550DA1B3B3.jpeg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1">The @WHO says that, “Mothers and babies form an inseparable biological and social unit; the health and nutrition of one group cannot be divorced from the health and nutrition of the other.” And yet somehow I had to justify the need to pump milk at work.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 20.3px; text-align: start;"><span class="s1"></span><br /></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 20.3px; text-align: start;"><span class="s1"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: start;"><span class="s1">Anyway, based on my extensive experience of pumping for a full 3 months this time around, :-) I have come up with 10 tips that moms like me could use. Please note these are tips that I have concluded based on my experience and may be different from what might work for you. </span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 20.3px; text-align: start;"><span class="s2" style="font-weight: bold;"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: start;"><span class="s3">🍼</span><span class="s2" style="font-weight: bold;">Invest in a good hands free pumping/nursing bra. </span><span class="s1"> Trust me ladies, you want those hands free so you can catch up on reading or watching a show, or eating, or taking a power nap. </span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: start;"><span class="s3">🍼</span><span class="s2" style="font-weight: bold;"> Pump when you feel full </span><span class="s1">(for me it is usually every 4 hours or so now). Initially I pumped every 2 hours when Veer slept for longer or else fed him on demand. I knew I had to go back to work as my maternity leave was only 12 weeks and didn't want the transition to be difficult for him so I started pumping and introduced the bottle to him slowly with each feed. </span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: start;"><span class="s3">🍼</span><span class="s2" style="font-weight: bold;"> When exclusively pumping, pump at least once in the night if milk supply is less</span><span class="s1">. For me, I pump right before I sleep and then first thing in the morning (which is usually a 6 hours gap). </span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: start;"><span class="s3">🍼</span><span class="s2" style="font-weight: bold;"> Every drop counts</span><span class="s1">, and don't be hard on yourself if you pumped more or else in one session. Trust me if you feel stressed it is going to affect your milk supply. Try to have happy thoughts, try thinking about your baby. Being distracted is better than being overly focused on the level in the bottle.</span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: start;"><span class="s3">🍼</span><span class="s2" style="font-weight: bold;"> Pump a couple extra times on the weekend if you can.</span><span class="s1"> As I see patients most days, I have to follow a very strict 30 minute pump and eat schedule while at work and have to stop pumping even if I am not done coz my patients are waiting. Knowing that I have a little extra from the weekend on reserve makes my work-week pumping sessions less stressful.</span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: start;"><span class="s3">🍼</span><span class="s2" style="font-weight: bold;"> Leave a pump at work if you can. </span><span class="s1">To be honest I am still working on this one coz I have still not found my perfect fit. I lug around my breast pump but I have one from Laksh's time that I am planning to leave at work once my full time location is settled</span><span class="s2" style="font-weight: bold;">.</span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: start;"><span class="s3">🍼</span><span class="s2" style="font-weight: bold;"> Wash parts with warm water and air dry </span><span class="s1">in between sessions while</span><span class="s2" style="font-weight: bold;"> </span><span class="s1">at work and once you get home wash with soap and water and run it in a sterilizer. You can also store the parts in the fridge while at work in a ziplock bag if there is no access to water, but make sure you clean thoroughly when you home</span><span class="s2" style="font-weight: bold;">.</span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: start;"><span class="s3">🍼</span><span class="s2" style="font-weight: bold;"> Store the milk using something called the 'bricking'</span><span class="s1">. It is a life changer and I only learned about it through another mom a few weeks back. It saves so much space and is super efficient to keep track of the dates</span><span class="s2" style="font-weight: bold;">.</span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: start;"><span class="s3">🍼</span><span class="s2" style="font-weight: bold;"> Write words of encouragement, note to your future self, or something that seems like a big dilemma </span><span class="s1">to you right now on the storage bag, and see how you feel about it when you do end up using the milk. </span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: start;"><span class="s1">And last but not least,</span><span class="s2" style="font-weight: bold;"> </span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: start;"><span class="s3">🍼</span><span class="s2" style="font-weight: bold;"> </span><span class="s1">Remember, </span><span class="s2" style="font-weight: bold;">exclusively pumping is also breastfeeding</span><span class="s1">. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise. </span></p></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p></p>Smriti Zalpuri Kumarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13660348059096824499noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8079978120633453169.post-66637189531679304532020-09-09T12:24:00.004-04:002020-09-09T18:01:44.368-04:00First day of school 2020<p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidbXeYdJJnOE0UBRyV7Vkad-xME4CVKcv-OLHSmNxzqZY491c_f-kfi1SLVs8qkF6ze24FE40_UoAypUOl7Xw6ql2DM8v8I1uWPh1y93znAKobmhCfI47jG9_TzwQjAMOPXB4ILS0Oi6I/s2048/8999153A-D07C-40CA-AA69-015106C55F84.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidbXeYdJJnOE0UBRyV7Vkad-xME4CVKcv-OLHSmNxzqZY491c_f-kfi1SLVs8qkF6ze24FE40_UoAypUOl7Xw6ql2DM8v8I1uWPh1y93znAKobmhCfI47jG9_TzwQjAMOPXB4ILS0Oi6I/s320/8999153A-D07C-40CA-AA69-015106C55F84.jpeg" /></a></div><br /><p>Yesterday was the Laksh’s first day of school. We had imagined the first day of school to be so different than what actually happened. </p><p><br /></p><p>We imagined packing lunches and picking out outfits. We imagined taking a bus ride with his peers. We imagined lots of hugs and tears. We imagined a group to 3 year olds playing and learning together. We imagined a super excited Laksh returning home after spending his very first day in school. Harry Wong rightly said, “The most important day of a person’s education is the first day of school, not Graduation Day.” We wanted everything to go perfectly on his first day to school. </p><p><br /></p><p>Instead, due to the pandemic and our decision to let Laksh learn remotely for now to keep him, baby Veer and others in our house safe, this is what the first day of school looked like. Instead of taking a bus ride we walked to the living room table. Instead of packing lunch we packed our ass on the chair and instead of learning together, 3 year old kids struggled to stay in one place while looking at their screens. But through this all, Laksh’s excitement to learn remained the same. </p><p><br /></p><p>Laksh has always been curious and intrigued by new things and eager to learn about them. I hope my darling this excitement always remains the same. I wish you learn and grow as you are meant to and may you have an inclusive and loving support system wherever you go. May you always be seen as Laksh and not as a diagnosis. Spread your wings and fly my baby, you are meant to soar through the skies. </p><p><br /></p><p>#livelifelakshsize </p>Smriti Zalpuri Kumarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13660348059096824499noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8079978120633453169.post-26608149873178225102020-08-29T12:22:00.002-04:002020-09-18T09:40:38.561-04:00Post Partum depression <p></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-size-adjust: auto;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6K31xrTFk_58rA_b6Dv4AsOzpD2sDQ9K3YLmBLdtbZCKtFiyYNcltavbTZgboH1CWA-9aZnuMpPyWlzS4b2p-cG_GDm6uyfNOeUHcA9fabhn-tFyGmt9Ll35lwD8SvDJeu4jOZtfLQeA/s1242/7B6BB6CC-AC24-4B65-8A86-98EE97FB88D7.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="945" data-original-width="1242" height="487" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6K31xrTFk_58rA_b6Dv4AsOzpD2sDQ9K3YLmBLdtbZCKtFiyYNcltavbTZgboH1CWA-9aZnuMpPyWlzS4b2p-cG_GDm6uyfNOeUHcA9fabhn-tFyGmt9Ll35lwD8SvDJeu4jOZtfLQeA/w538-h487/7B6BB6CC-AC24-4B65-8A86-98EE97FB88D7.jpeg" width="538" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><span class="s1"><br /></span><p></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1"><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1">Don’t want to take anything away from the seriousness of what happened with Nima, but it has been weighing heavily on me. Writing this post has been very very difficult for me and I am not sure if i should ever share this but I’m trying to #breakthestigma4nima so please hear me out.</span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 20.3px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1"></span><br /></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 20.3px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1"></span><br /></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 20.3px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1">This is a photo of me on 06/06/2020 seconds after Veer made his grand entry. I felt every emotion that I could possibly imagine, I felt happiness, relief, joy, anxiety, fear, excitement and so much more.</span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 20.3px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1"></span><br /></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 20.3px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1">I was happy because he was finally here and scared because he was finally here, in the middle of a global pandemic. I remember with Laksh, things we so different because he spent the first two months of his life in the NICU. Tomorrow Veer will be two months old so I felt I needed to share this.</span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 20.3px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1"></span><br /></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 20.3px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1">I am not sure what I feel Is #postpartumdepression or anxiety because of the current state of the world. I felt something similar when Laksh was born as well and there was no pandemic then. I felt guilt, I felt anxiety, I felt sad, I felt inadequate, I felt disgust, I felt ugly, I felt like I had failed my son. And I thought I felt all that because he was in the NICU for little over 2 months and somehow that happened because of me.</span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 20.3px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1"></span><br /></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 20.3px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1">But by the grace of God, Veer has been here with us every single day of the two months <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>that Laksh had spent in the NiCU and our boys with be with us forever more, but I still feel these feelings. I still feel like I am not enough.</span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 20.3px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1"></span><br /></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 20.3px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1">Don’t get me wrong, I don’t feel this all the time but I do feel these feelings of inadequacy. I feel anger and frustration and irritability for small little things. I felt shame when answering the questionnaire my OB made me fill regarding #ppd becasue I didn’t want to acknowledge I felt those feelings. That me, an educated person who has her sh*t together is feeling like she is lost. </span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 20.3px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1">But my question is why? Why do we feel the need to hide our mental well being from the world? Why do we feel that we would be labeled as ‘not fit mothers’ if we say we are struggling? Why do we feel shame in asking for help? </span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 20.3px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1"></span><br /></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 20.3px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1">As south Asians specially, mental health is such a stigma and never discussed openly. People throw around the word ‘ I am depressed’ without truly understanding what it means or how debilitating it truly can be. </span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 20.3px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1"></span><br /></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 20.3px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1">Today sharing about these feelings has felt like a difficult but much needed step for me but I’m doing this because I hope it helps someone feeling the same way reach out and ask for help. </span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 20.3px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1"></span><br /></p>Smriti Zalpuri Kumarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13660348059096824499noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8079978120633453169.post-75609809742485660222019-10-04T14:47:00.000-04:002019-10-04T14:57:27.910-04:00Let's bust some myths for October is Down syndrome awareness month<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Dear readers,</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">October is Down syndrome awareness month and in honor of Laksh and other amazing people just like him, we are having a celebration on our <a href="https://www.instagram.com/livelifelakshsize/?hl=en">Instagram</a> page. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">When Laksh was born, I did find myself leaning on Dr. Google to help me find some facts about Down syndrome. Being a physical therapist, I was aware of what Down syndrome is but I had never come across anyone in real life who had DS until Laksh. I was so shocked to see some not so accurate and honestly antiquated information on there that it worried me. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Some sites down right made DS look like a punishment for the child and his/her family, which it really is NOT. So I decided to start a social media page for Laksh so I could show people what it really looks like to have a child with Down syndrome in today's time. On these platforms, I connected with so many amazing families who have been on this journey longer than we have and it has blown my mind. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Everything that I wanted for my child, I can see it happening. It might take a bit longer, but who is in a rush anyway? Today, I would also like to take this opportunity to bust these myths I kept reading on different websites back in 2017. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">I am using yellow and blue as these colors represent Down syndrome awareness </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: yellow; color: black;">Myths</span> vs <span style="background-color: #6fa8dc;"> Facts</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: yellow; color: black; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Most children with Down syndrome are born to older parents.</span> </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #6fa8dc;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Most children with Down syndrome are born to women younger than 35 years old simply because younger women have more children. However, the likelihood of having a child with Down syndrome increases with the age of the mother, especially after age 35 </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span id="m_-4234039360245914281m_6849936184157781221gmail-docs-internal-guid-344af55d-7fff-edee-cce6-9b29e5280605"><span style="background-color: yellow; color: black; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">All people with Down syndrome have a severe cognitive disability</span></span> </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #6fa8dc;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black; white-space: pre-wrap;">Most people with Down syndrome have a mild to moderate cognitive disability, or intellectual disability. This is not indicative of the many strengths and talents that each individual</span> </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: yellow;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span id="m_-4234039360245914281gmail-docs-internal-guid-6a16ff40-7fff-24e0-354d-84acb268a8dc"><span style="color: black; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">People with Down syndrome cannot be active members of their community.</span></span> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: #6fa8dc;"><span style="color: black; white-space: pre-wrap;">People with Down syndrome are active participants in educational, social and recreational activities. They are included in the typical education system and take part in sports, music, art programs and any other activities in the community. People with Down syndrome are valued members of their families and communities, and make meaningful contributions to society, and many are proud business owners.</span> </span><span style="background-color: #6fa8dc;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: yellow;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span id="m_-4234039360245914281gmail-docs-internal-guid-d791237c-7fff-c12c-cd07-19041c703771"><span style="color: black; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Scientists know everything there is to know about Down syndrome.</span></span> </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #6fa8dc;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black; white-space: pre-wrap;">Though we know that an extra full or partial copy of chromosome 21 causes the characteristics of Down syndrome, researchers are making great strides in identifying how individual genes on chromosome 21 affect a person with Down syndrome. Scientists now feel strongly that it will be possible to improve, correct or prevent many of the problems associated with Down syndrome in the future</span> </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: yellow;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span id="m_-4234039360245914281gmail-docs-internal-guid-7689ec1d-7fff-024a-e9d8-05e4c550f621"><span style="color: black; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Segregated special education programs are the only option for students with Down syndrome.</span></span> </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #6fa8dc;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black; white-space: pre-wrap;">Students with Down syndrome are included in typical academic classrooms in schools across the country. The current trend in education is for full inclusion in social and educational settings. Sometimes students with Down syndrome are included in specific courses, while in other situations students are fully included in the typical classroom for all subjects. Increasingly, individuals with Down syndrome graduate from high school with diplomas, and participate in post secondary academic and college programs</span> </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: yellow;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span id="m_-4234039360245914281gmail-docs-internal-guid-54807cee-7fff-cb03-e8d4-57946e17ecab"><span style="color: black; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Adults with Down syndrome are the same as children with Down syndrome.</span></span> </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #6fa8dc;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black; white-space: pre-wrap;">Adults with Down syndrome are not children, and should not be considered children. They enjoy activities and companionship with other adults, </span><span style="color: black; white-space: pre-wrap;">and have similar needs and feelings as their typical peers.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: yellow;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span id="m_-4234039360245914281gmail-docs-internal-guid-f279386a-7fff-4238-1d02-763695846da0"><span style="color: black; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Adults with Down syndrome are unable to form close interpersonal relationships leading to marriage</span></span> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: #6fa8dc;"><span style="color: black; white-space: pre-wrap;">People with Down syndrome socialize and have meaningful friendships. Some choose to date, maintain ongoing relationships and marry.</span> </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: yellow;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span id="m_-4234039360245914281gmail-docs-internal-guid-a023c3e0-7fff-bc4d-9693-d8f7ae847182"><span style="color: black; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">It is ok to use the “r-word” if you don’t really mean it.</span></span> </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #6fa8dc;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black; white-space: pre-wrap;">It is never acceptable to use the word “retarded” in any derogatory context. Using this word is hurtful and suggests that people with disabilities are not competent.</span> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: yellow;"><span id="m_-4234039360245914281gmail-docs-internal-guid-d17cbd47-7fff-9564-82e5-8966145c5a02"><span style="color: black; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Adults with Down syndrome are unemployable</span></span> </span> </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #6fa8dc;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span id="m_-4234039360245914281gmail-docs-internal-guid-b4a1d482-7fff-cf7d-9578-df3b225eee62"><span style="color: black; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Businesses employ adults with Down syndrome for a variety of positions – in banks, corporations, hotels, hospitals, nursing homes, offices and restaurants. They work in the music and entertainment industry, in clerical positions, childcare, the sports field and the computer industry, to name a few. Like anybody else, people with Down syndrome want to have a job where their work will be valued.</span></span> </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: yellow;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span id="m_-4234039360245914281gmail-docs-internal-guid-cf8b1b99-7fff-7bbe-465d-2a38995343b4"><span style="color: black; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">People with Down syndrome are always sick</span></span> </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #6fa8dc;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black; white-space: pre-wrap;">Though people with Down syndrome are at an increased risk for certain medical conditions such as congenital heart defects, respiratory and hearing problems, and thyroid conditions, advances in health care and treatment of these conditions have allowed for most individuals with Down syndrome to lead healthy lives.</span> </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: yellow;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span id="m_-4234039360245914281gmail-docs-internal-guid-afd07b14-7fff-33f0-5880-40f095d9b05c"><span style="color: black; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Down syndrome is a rare disorder.</span></span> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: #6fa8dc;"><span style="color: black; white-space: pre-wrap;">Down syndrome is the most commonly occurring chromosomal condition. Approximately one in every 700 babies in the United States is born with Down syndrome, or around 6,000 births per year.</span> </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: yellow;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span id="m_-4234039360245914281gmail-docs-internal-guid-cc4abaf4-7fff-ecc4-ef34-6c74756b8ca2"><span style="color: black; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">People with Down syndrome are always happy and affectionate.</span></span> </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #6fa8dc;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black; white-space: pre-wrap;">We are all individuals and people with Down syndrome are no different to anyone else in their character traits, varying moods, and ability to feel all kinds of emotions</span> </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: yellow;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span id="m_-4234039360245914281gmail-docs-internal-guid-214c005e-7fff-535f-7fe1-681f12727ea3"><span style="color: black; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">People with Down syndrome all look the same.</span></span> </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #6fa8dc;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black; white-space: pre-wrap;">There are certain physical characteristics that can occur. People with Down syndrome can have all of them or none. A person with Down syndrome will always look more like his or her close family than someone else with the condition.</span> </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: yellow;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span id="m_-4234039360245914281gmail-docs-internal-guid-e34f1bb0-7fff-4cc6-1dfa-d1304c5609d9"><span style="color: black; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">People with Down syndrome do not live very long</span></span> </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #6fa8dc;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black; white-space: pre-wrap;">Today, with the kind of medical treatments available, people with Down syndrome can look forward to living a long and fulfilling life</span> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: yellow;"><span id="m_-4234039360245914281gmail-docs-internal-guid-a32f9121-7fff-f2d6-6aef-c54dacfe057f"><span style="color: black; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Down syndrome is hereditary and runs in families.</span></span> </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #6fa8dc;"><span id="m_-4234039360245914281gmail-docs-internal-guid-33bb97a0-7fff-3241-02d0-0c56f8b60939"><span style="color: black; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Translocation, a type of Down syndrome that accounts for 3 to 4% of all cases, is the only type of Down syndrome known to have a hereditary component. Of those, one third (or 1% of all cases of Down syndrome) are hereditary</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #f3f3f3; color: black; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I have used the National Down syndrome society as a guideline to create this list.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">To show your support, you could wear yellow and/or blue anytime in the month of October or just any time at all, and tag us on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/livelifelakshsize">Facebook</a> or </span><a href="https://www.instagram.com/livelifelakshsize/?hl=en">Instagram</a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> using @livelifelakshsize or the hashtag #livelifelakshsize or #lakshandfriends</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Leaving you guys with a video of my SUPER LAKSH in his TINY SUPERHEROES CAPE.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dyuM0zOm3gxTOtRnhlzbdWD1VvzIl6OV0na3FkAmr9tZReGtzrrUFFcvPSdXocD7FOkUGHdaGuQaHneQTTc5A' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">To be a part of Laksh's journey you can connect with us on:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Facebook: <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.facebook.com/livelifelakshsize/&source=gmail&ust=1570300977954000&usg=AFQjCNGIRxehoSPpN10TiqSfe_Hfoobl9w" href="https://www.facebook.com/livelifelakshsize/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">https://www.<wbr></wbr>facebook.com/<wbr></wbr>livelifelakshsize/</a>?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Website: <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.livelifelakshsize.com/&source=gmail&ust=1570300977954000&usg=AFQjCNGUaWevJYryTFr8rMObkjG5LW52TA" href="http://www.livelifelakshsize.com/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">www.<wbr></wbr>livelifelakshsize.com</a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">And if you loved reading this or any other articles here, please do hit the follow button and share. Thank you</span></div>
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Smriti Zalpuri Kumarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13660348059096824499noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8079978120633453169.post-32029170960740426242019-09-23T12:05:00.002-04:002019-09-23T13:21:19.615-04:00Are we all truly created equal?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Dear readers,<br />
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I saw part of a speech a fellow mama that inspired me to write this.<br />
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As parents of kids with different needs that the general folks, we have to take this position of being an advocate. We have to shout the worth of our kids beause sometimes society writes them off based on a diagnosis that’s only a small part of who they are. Parents of kids with typical needs are congratulated on the birth of their children whereas a lot of us are shown sympathy.<br />
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My family and I have always celebrated Laksh, even in those early days when we were unsure of how to navigate this journey we are put on. Ours kids have to start life with proving their worth at every single step, sometimes it could be as basic as their right to be born. Isn’t that a shame? No one should have to prove in utero that their life is worth something.<br />
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The children that are allowed (and I don’t use that word lightly) to be born then have to fight for inclusion at every step of their existence. They have to prove what other children might take for granted. I am not writing this to shame or call out anyone, I’m just writing this to create awareness, to start a conversation and to let the world know my Laksh is capable AF.<br />
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Our kids have to start life at a disadvantage and that isn’t the way make anyone feel like they belong. Imagine starting the race of life a mile behind everyone else and never being given the opportunities to catch up or even carve your own path. What is this race anyway? What happens if a child can’t walk till they are 2 or 3 or 5 or even just not able to learn or master that skill? Isn’t it our job as a society to include and adapt according to the needs to the people living in it?<br />
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I’ll always shout the worth of my son and other like him and welcome you guys to be a part of this new better, kinder and welcoming world that includes every single one of us.<br />
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Lots of love,<br />
Laksh’s Proud Mom<br />
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Smriti Zalpuri Kumarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13660348059096824499noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8079978120633453169.post-69635167056228330652019-09-04T09:47:00.000-04:002019-09-04T09:51:10.314-04:00Love and Kindness are never wasted<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Love and kindness are never wasted.<br />They always make a difference.<br /> They bless the one who receives them, and they bless you, the giver.<br />- Barbara Se Angelis<br />One of my biggest fear is will people be kind to Laksh? </div>
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Will people understand that just because he might need more time to understand or </div>
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learn something new, doesn’t mean he can’t do that ever. </div>
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I hope that people understand that he is curious about things and if given a chance, </div>
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a true chance he will flourish. I hope people see in him all the mischief that I can and</div>
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all the love that is clearly apparent.<br />I hope that people see what a talented 2 year old he is and</div>
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that having #downsyndrome is just a part of his being. </div>
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He also has a sense of humor, a contagious smile, a way of making mommy and daddy dance</div>
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on his fingers, a will to learn and learn with zest, </div>
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an ability to make you see world in a whole different way, </div>
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an ability to see good in the world, </div>
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an ability to excel when given proper guidance and motivation,</div>
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a way of moving on from things that are not important in the grand scheme of things,</div>
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an art of fake crying to get his way, and make friends with ease.<br />When I see him with all things parts attached to his personality, </div>
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Down syndrome kind of stops being this overpowering thing people had made it out to be.</div>
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Again, I don’t mean that it’s not tough at times but well that’s how life is.</div>
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We can’t keep dwelling in that. </div>
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Laksh is so much more that his diagnosis but you can see that only if you truly look.<br />Always be kind, it’s doesn’t take anything out of you but has the power of making or</div>
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breaking someone.</div>
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<img src="https://cdn3.mycity4kids.com/images/article-images/web/details/img-20190904-5d6fbea76c811.jpg" style="border: 0px; height: auto; list-style: none; margin: 20px 0px; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; width: auto;" /><br />To follow Laksh's journey you can connect with us on:<br />Facebook: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/livelifelakshsize/" rel="nofollow" style="border: 0px; color: #507cbe; list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.facebook.com/livelifelakshsize/</a>?<br />Instgram: @livelifelakshsize<br />Website: <a href="http://www.livelifelakshsize.com/" rel="nofollow" style="border: 0px; color: #507cbe; list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">www.livelifelakshsize.com</a>And if you loved reading this or any other articles here, please do hit the follow button and share. </div>
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Smriti Zalpuri Kumarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13660348059096824499noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8079978120633453169.post-85213652830688775952019-08-27T13:46:00.001-04:002019-08-27T13:48:29.134-04:00The magic created by his extra chromosome or because it’s him.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span class="m_8523437694057900976s1" style="color: blue; font-family: ".sfuitext"; font-size: 17pt;">Dear readers,</span></div>
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<span class="m_8523437694057900976s1" style="color: blue; font-family: ".sfuitext"; font-size: 17pt;">I understand that being a parent is a constant struggle between loving your child to death and wanting to pull off all your hair one by one, but what makes this journey worth all the frustration is this amazing child that calls you mom or dad. I am so lucky to have Laksh as my first born and I do not mean that because he has Down syndrome but because he is an amazing little boy. </span></div>
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<span class="m_8523437694057900976s1" style="color: blue; font-family: ".sfuitext"; font-size: 17pt;">He loves with all his heart and I understand that could be due to the magic created by his extra chromosome or just because it’s him. He laughs easily and makes others laugh with him, and I understand that could be due to the magic created by his extra chromosome or just because it’s him. </span></div>
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<span class="m_8523437694057900976s1" style="color: blue; font-family: ".sfuitext"; font-size: 17pt;">He is easy to forgive and move on, and I understand that could be due to the magic created by his extra chromosome or just because it’s him. He drives me insane with his shenanigans, and I understand that could be due to the magic created by his extra chromosome or just because it’s him. </span></div>
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<span class="m_8523437694057900976s1" style="color: blue; font-family: ".sfuitext"; font-size: 17pt;">He is the kindest sweetest boy, and I understand that could be due to the magic created by his extra chromosome or just because it’s him. </span></div>
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Smriti Zalpuri Kumarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13660348059096824499noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8079978120633453169.post-34544151497394864732019-08-13T10:32:00.003-04:002019-08-13T10:32:46.334-04:00My dear son<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
My heart is always worried for my son and his well being. I know that he has a long road ahead and life can be hard some times but all we can do is make sure to raise a child that is confident and believes in himself/herself. I am writing this open letter to him so when he grows up, he can read this and hopefully understand how much he is loved and valued. And how much for an amazingly brilliant person he is. Please read below.<br />
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My dear son,<br />
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I feel like everything in life happens for a reason, and my son you have been the greatest gift that God has given me. I’m doing my best to raise you to be strong, nurturing, loving, brave and self confident. I am shouting your worth everyday so people don’t limit you from being the best version of yourself and achieve your greatest potential. They say that parents are suppose to be teachers for their kids but you my darling Laksh have taught me and your daddy so much.<br />
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Joy comes from the places you least expect it, and for us it comes from simple things like watching you play with your favorite car or reading your favorite book. Laksh you are a huge inspiration for me and everyday I learn and grow as a human being just by being near you. That’s the best part about being a mom for me. Being the person who gets that love from you, that love which is so pure and so unconditional that it makes you fierce.<br />
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So in the end my son, all I want and hope for you is to be a nice and kind human being who touches the lives of different people and makes them happy. May God bless you with everything you ever wanted and deserve.<br />
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To follow Laksh's journey you can connect with us on:<br />
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Smriti Zalpuri Kumarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13660348059096824499noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8079978120633453169.post-33050492290666617042019-08-01T10:22:00.000-04:002019-08-01T10:22:46.306-04:00Happy 2nd birthday to my lifeline<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Oh where have the last two years gone? It seems like it was yesterday when I was laying in the hospital bed waiting in eager anticipation of meeting you.<br />
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This is your second year in our life my darling Laksh, but you already have succeeded to change our lives and make it so complete and happy. You are our lifetime happiness. Baby, you are the main reason which makes your mom and dad smile and also in some way the world around you. We can’t resist your sweet charm and neither can the people that come across you. You my sweet angel are a total heart stealer.<br />
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I love watching you grow, my sweet little boy. Your personality is amazing. You are so funny, smart, and so adorable. You have everyone wrapped around you little finger, especially your mummy. You are such a narrative shifter and I love that in mere 24 months, you have made such a difference in the way people see differently abled people.<br />
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You my sweet baby, rock the extra chromosome so well that it makes me wonder, why did I ever worry about anything. You are my guiding star, my love, my reason for being, and my Laksh. Mummy and daddy hope you achieve everything you ever want in life and much much more. Always be kind and happy.<br />
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Baby, we wish you a very happy birthday and we love you so much!<br />
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Smriti Zalpuri Kumarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13660348059096824499noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8079978120633453169.post-2432357818758303052019-07-31T19:26:00.001-04:002019-08-01T08:42:52.737-04:00That day, through my eyes... Double the joy, double the fun.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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A loooonnnggg post full of pictures alert.</div>
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This post was pending since a very very long time. On your
second birthday today, I am finally posting this.</div>
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<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe Print";">Being an aunt is a feeling that</span><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe Print";"> </span><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe Print";">I
believe is like being a mother</span><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe Print";"> minus</span><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe Print";"> giving birth</span><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe Print";">.
</span><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe Print";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe Print";">Also,</span><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe Print";"> I can</span><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe Print";">
love Raavya and Laksh</span><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe Print";"> to my heart's</span><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe Print";"> content and no one has the right to
stop me. </span><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe Print";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe Print";">Every time I visited a mall</span><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe Print";">
or a market </span><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe Print";">I used spill out my savings</span><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe Print";"> and buy
things that were not necessary. I still do that but now it is mostly for these
two angels in my life.</span><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe Print";"> The only</span><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe Print";"> </span><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe Print";">thing that I hate about them is that they
are not </span><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe Print";">with</span><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe Print";"> me</span><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe Print";"> </span><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe Print";">always. When Raa</span><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe Print";">v</span><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe Print";">ya was
born</span><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe Print";"> </span><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe Print";">I was overjoyed, I </span><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe Print";">wanted to
see here asap but as I was busy in a shoot for an outdoor schedule. I reached </span><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe Print";">there
as soon as possible. </span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe Print";">I was</span><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe Print";"> </span><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe Print";">suddenly</span><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe Print";"> the grown
up in the house.</span><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe Print";"> I was not the</span><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe Print";"> youngest one in the family anymore.
Then one fine day I get a delightful text from my brother and sister in law that
I am going to be an aunt again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe Print";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span>I felt
the same rush that I felt two years ago when I learnt about my sister's
pregnancy.</span><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> I told them not to tell me the gender until the baby is born. No one
told me for a week or so. And then my niece Raavya very innocently broke the
news that she is waiting eagerly for her baby brother. It was hilarious. I
obviously shopped like a crazy shopaholic (btw that is not crazy in my
dictionary). Someone rightly said that </span><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe Print";">an aunt is a cherished friend and personal
cheerleader who will always see you through rose colored glasses.</span></div>
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I remember reaching New York with mum almost a month before
you were supposed to be there for you to come to this world and meet us. Bhabhi
(my Sister in law, Smriti, Laksh’s proud mother) used to share her pregnancy
pictures with us. And those pictures made me more and more anxious and impatient
to meet you.</div>
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When we saw Bhaiya (my brother, Avijeet, Laksh’s proud
father) and Bhabhi at JFK airport on 30<sup>th</sup> July 2017, it was as if I
was woken up to be in my dream. This was such a complex feeling that I can’t
even explain. I am not very good when it comes to express my feelings. I am not
very good to let my feelings talk. The same thing happened then. Seeing my
brother and sister in law after years and being on my first international trip
to meet my nephew was too overwhelming. The mixture of all those feelings made
the time to come to a standstill when I saw that baby bump at the airport. It
was not a dream, it was the reality. I was to become an aunt again. I was already
an aunt to a beautiful niece, Raavya. So being given the opportunity to spoil
one more child with love and many more mischievous activities to be taught was
super exciting.</div>
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Raavya made me a Mausi (Maternal aunt) and you made me a Bua
(Paternal aunt). I am equally proud of both my titles. </div>
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D day. 1<sup>st</sup> August 2017. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My mother asked him if Bhabhi
was ok. He nodded in yes and said that he wanted to speak to dad. He made a
video call to him and again with tears of joy told my dad that he was a grand dad
now. My sister was with dad at the time and she and Raavya were shouting with
happiness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> My Jiju (Brother-in law) was also waiting eagerly for this news that left him super happy. His firsst reaction was 'My son is here.' </span>Finally, it was my turn. He
hugged me while I congratulated all of us and he rushed back to the delivery
room. </div>
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My brother called me and
asked me to rush to the hospital asap with mum as Bhabhi was being taken to the
delivery room. We rushed there and found out that Bhabhi was already taken in
and being prepped for c section. Bhaiya came and showed us to the room and we
started waiting. Those were the longest 20 minutes of my life. My brother came back
and said nothing and hugged mum. He had an expression on his face that I had
never seen before. He cried with happiness. He announced that his son has
arrived. <br />
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Now comes the part when the bigger news bomb was dropped.
Bhaiya came back and said that Laksh was being brought to the room and Bhabhi
will come in minutes later. Bhaiya now told us that the doctor’s said that the
baby has Down syndrome. We informed the families back home. I was almost completely
unaware of this term. So, my first instinct was to ask him what it was and the
second was to search the web. I read a few lines about it on web and scolded
myself for being absorbed in that. But I said, ‘whateva, who cares’ he is my
family. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And the baby was brought to
room. </div>
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Oh, what a sight! My little nephew looking as red as a
tomato was here. My heart was filled up with so many emotions and throat choked
up. After Bhabhi came to the room, I congratulated her on being a mother. She
was trembling with post operatic trauma but couldn’t hold in the joy and the
confusion of the news bomb. </div>
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After mum I finally got the chance to hold you in my arms.</div>
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I
can’t even begin to tell you how wonderful it was. All I could think was I am
your Bua and I am going to shower you with so much love. </div>
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The calls to the families started with calling our families
with the news. Bhaiya, finally after a long pause and build up announced your
name. LAKSH KUMAR.</div>
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I remember seeing a hole between the clouds and posting that
picture on my social media with a caption ‘#clouds giving way to the stork
carrying my nephew.” I know it’s a lame caption but it’s ok coz I was just
overwhelmed with love.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ1LZrRRC-fYFAUPxYjCSJLgikg4XRQvif09UU5JJV0ikPoCSorPZiLXsL_mp6utPvavbK4MZTNdChRMbrzu0DwYgjbuxV8IPwIQiikD3wAlRRzMlBcVtwJsnKvHjjhzx5Nfwt_NAHrOs/s1600/20170802_200509.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ1LZrRRC-fYFAUPxYjCSJLgikg4XRQvif09UU5JJV0ikPoCSorPZiLXsL_mp6utPvavbK4MZTNdChRMbrzu0DwYgjbuxV8IPwIQiikD3wAlRRzMlBcVtwJsnKvHjjhzx5Nfwt_NAHrOs/s320/20170802_200509.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The discussion about Down syndrome started. My brother spoke
to dad about it and he was pretty calm about it. He said “everything can be
tackled with patience and life for Laksh will not stop at being a Down syndrome
kid. This can be dealt later. Savour these moments right now and deal with the
things that can’t be changed later.” My sister, being a doctor her first
instinct was to explain us about Down syndrome in layman terms. My mother was
in denial. But was not giving it much importance because she was busy admiring Laksh. We have shared many firsts during the first five months of your life.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>Baking my first proper cake for you. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieFdibh7C2zog9cQwFruwJXODW873er0tGP9eMMPjq80chB6qG7aaOIgGpuYzBaMrfaBFyVW15X4-HTFGLhH_1aUDqKPVBjppSqPzO6ePljrKLi38RHhF92l67LYX9IiVWh62NqKW426E/s1600/IMG-20171101-WA0043.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieFdibh7C2zog9cQwFruwJXODW873er0tGP9eMMPjq80chB6qG7aaOIgGpuYzBaMrfaBFyVW15X4-HTFGLhH_1aUDqKPVBjppSqPzO6ePljrKLi38RHhF92l67LYX9IiVWh62NqKW426E/s200/IMG-20171101-WA0043.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUAkrIYD8f5Bbxq9IXlJ_i2XyXcsrL6mlFJH7DbpdCN0AezeV_wW0JorcE3i1MRnHfvFTC4wcXjRblzQQYgIiuaL6RgdCBGcp_8rKUAyFN3BDELZm4kE3fABKwN6YNwxmhL9FrwBs287U/s1600/20171101_222354.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUAkrIYD8f5Bbxq9IXlJ_i2XyXcsrL6mlFJH7DbpdCN0AezeV_wW0JorcE3i1MRnHfvFTC4wcXjRblzQQYgIiuaL6RgdCBGcp_8rKUAyFN3BDELZm4kE3fABKwN6YNwxmhL9FrwBs287U/s200/20171101_222354.jpg" width="112" /></a></div>
</li>
<li>Visiting many places with you for the first time.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDzHlQGHF1F13X1_OCQIwp6WXqI5KQXBmhCRoTwKXNDWXgvn2khk-7ikbTWPm-1bGTJexgKctNWycoKiytnzDs2fa4Zk7tf_NitRusfq0S-RgMjB_jecZma74u-i6Pcqeibcuqj88CJX4/s1600/IMG_20171217_153703775_BURST000_COVER_TOP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDzHlQGHF1F13X1_OCQIwp6WXqI5KQXBmhCRoTwKXNDWXgvn2khk-7ikbTWPm-1bGTJexgKctNWycoKiytnzDs2fa4Zk7tf_NitRusfq0S-RgMjB_jecZma74u-i6Pcqeibcuqj88CJX4/s320/IMG_20171217_153703775_BURST000_COVER_TOP.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifdqpIuq4iTbElMhBkFsOiNnD7JnC8JbYhDYCMp0i0FajjrSA4eFd78E-wrrcMCQ0Oi15FjJ6TD9yuefeJv5mGdKhgiNYxEUMZBSMdkm-3o9MLJfvS9nF-ukRgVLGpDeMRiFi0Hgqrj14/s1600/IMG_20171209_191248716_BURST000_COVER_TOP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifdqpIuq4iTbElMhBkFsOiNnD7JnC8JbYhDYCMp0i0FajjrSA4eFd78E-wrrcMCQ0Oi15FjJ6TD9yuefeJv5mGdKhgiNYxEUMZBSMdkm-3o9MLJfvS9nF-ukRgVLGpDeMRiFi0Hgqrj14/s320/IMG_20171209_191248716_BURST000_COVER_TOP.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDQh79sbIL_wLfWomJvxRnxFD1tMlhkQp7yiuXmPUMVgC6UXV97kVkoGjrfF-Rbt0aWm7G_jVpW1_JMzFPDtP2E2Kc6d0lA97VjPsZShNW3SFTupHzPVKle5gRd2mVmkPc7AjRv1zZaMs/s1600/20170812_162943.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDQh79sbIL_wLfWomJvxRnxFD1tMlhkQp7yiuXmPUMVgC6UXV97kVkoGjrfF-Rbt0aWm7G_jVpW1_JMzFPDtP2E2Kc6d0lA97VjPsZShNW3SFTupHzPVKle5gRd2mVmkPc7AjRv1zZaMs/s320/20170812_162943.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
</li>
<li>My first international trip for you.</li>
<li>Our first snow<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdX27-bYBKnA8Fpp1s0itv1k1cLSE8xwCPjUcGX54yZ44SJP1mhQtAVg8gXtWp5OuHvXbYknZV_fPUkrZOaUMXy7_cCYQAyMD_e47VDQKe7mL10J50wlRy4eYzUzmviP_7tnE9wVQAAgk/s1600/IMG_20171209_191532472.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdX27-bYBKnA8Fpp1s0itv1k1cLSE8xwCPjUcGX54yZ44SJP1mhQtAVg8gXtWp5OuHvXbYknZV_fPUkrZOaUMXy7_cCYQAyMD_e47VDQKe7mL10J50wlRy4eYzUzmviP_7tnE9wVQAAgk/s200/IMG_20171209_191532472.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>
</li>
<li>Holding a few minutes old child for the first time.</li>
<li>Seeing a new side of my brother for the first time.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_Y2BRPTpGm97NEpYNbrgC7JhUWprb_NS-fh5BdFlnBUQqzFcMqiZkgvbqKCK-6oAIgld25aSajDg5vd6rmHH13vjZge-tRZ_9BB3A_2-sC9bQRh-KWDVHugRoKBFPPJPxJvf4BkPKueM/s1600/IMG-20180122-WA0022.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1065" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_Y2BRPTpGm97NEpYNbrgC7JhUWprb_NS-fh5BdFlnBUQqzFcMqiZkgvbqKCK-6oAIgld25aSajDg5vd6rmHH13vjZge-tRZ_9BB3A_2-sC9bQRh-KWDVHugRoKBFPPJPxJvf4BkPKueM/s320/IMG-20180122-WA0022.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
</li>
</ul>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Frankly, till date I have not been very much worried about
the Down syndrome factor. So, what you will not be able to do few things that I
or someone else can. But the fact is that no ne of us can love others as
unconditionally as you. None of us can enjoy little moments of joy with a smile
like yours. None of us have the strength of going through the kinds of surgeries
you have gone through and heal with that wonderful full of life smile. We
cannot love others in the unbiased manner like you. We do not make the world a
happier place like you. We don’t natural spread smiles on the people around us
like you do. We don’t have people going ‘awww’ over us. You make our lives
fuller with love, compassion, joy and smiles. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRJGZAnnr-sKsWbzMuNiWAIOJJjW8ERU4_aXygImLj8Y4XodnLD0Cps9bQa_gLgCuVdqnPcxp-TDD6E_k8kZZgmqJjn15bGHKKABZpa8nZ-e6fM30GEhfvH-nX8hXu0tjavgfCArwIzgY/s1600/IMG-20171010-WA0037.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRJGZAnnr-sKsWbzMuNiWAIOJJjW8ERU4_aXygImLj8Y4XodnLD0Cps9bQa_gLgCuVdqnPcxp-TDD6E_k8kZZgmqJjn15bGHKKABZpa8nZ-e6fM30GEhfvH-nX8hXu0tjavgfCArwIzgY/s320/IMG-20171010-WA0037.jpg" width="179" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixvRtF_lUJbU2Szg-pN9r9zOmCYJdnKDqhsu36Ajdfyqgj5B9Qbqs821ctXCp8vbV3XdAcBiN4zeVDuvQItlKAkFxr8DpRAPd_FW7IpZUHWXGaGG-XOX8TbCstBktg9-QJBSwQA2wEi1E/s1600/IMG-20180814-WA0019.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1004" data-original-width="1504" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixvRtF_lUJbU2Szg-pN9r9zOmCYJdnKDqhsu36Ajdfyqgj5B9Qbqs821ctXCp8vbV3XdAcBiN4zeVDuvQItlKAkFxr8DpRAPd_FW7IpZUHWXGaGG-XOX8TbCstBktg9-QJBSwQA2wEi1E/s320/IMG-20180814-WA0019.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEoY21Dx5867GWYVmMDgEsbC4YUpX7T6AIs9qq9py6Wz_JofRmhqY4IDhaoSoKTvxFfIktP6rHgCq8N37KXxwBjAPMEi5MoJKbTxOI7wyLyse0Ovdt5IltHFSrw8ejLfZP_pfmi69hLwQ/s1600/20171004_173738.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEoY21Dx5867GWYVmMDgEsbC4YUpX7T6AIs9qq9py6Wz_JofRmhqY4IDhaoSoKTvxFfIktP6rHgCq8N37KXxwBjAPMEi5MoJKbTxOI7wyLyse0Ovdt5IltHFSrw8ejLfZP_pfmi69hLwQ/s320/20171004_173738.jpg" width="179" /></a></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
I can’t remember other milestones
of my life before you and Raavya in such a detailed manner. You and Raavya give
meaning to my life. Both of you are the two apples of my eyes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I love you both so much. A shopaholic like me
has stopped buying things for myself and I keep shopping for you two. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I want you to know that yes, there will be some people who
will treat you differently. But you have a family who will stand by you on
every step of the way, no matter what. We will always be there for you. The blood
bond that a family share is incomparable. The families fight but they also love
each other more than anything else. So what you have an extra chromosome. Only
a few chosen ones have those. You are lucky. I am super proud of Bhaiya and
Bhabhi for the way they are raising you.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXEPKM1Qv0OGh9y0dnRODOs97W3cN16VMoRSPGi0H7u7e-hXa26BQumDV0m4yVmtrFfeAcYUwOwcWFPB8uM4s3PuYVkNljs57KG_TWkq3WtuCSiLRaqv8L67WVtohs5dPy4hYm1g2-GB8/s1600/IMG-20171004-WA0010.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXEPKM1Qv0OGh9y0dnRODOs97W3cN16VMoRSPGi0H7u7e-hXa26BQumDV0m4yVmtrFfeAcYUwOwcWFPB8uM4s3PuYVkNljs57KG_TWkq3WtuCSiLRaqv8L67WVtohs5dPy4hYm1g2-GB8/s320/IMG-20171004-WA0010.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am not writing any awareness notes here as
that department is very well handled by your parents but believe me when I say
this that you are a part of us and no one can change that. Different or same,
we don’t care. You are an important part of our lives and no one can change
that. We love you Laksh. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
P.S : I love you and Raavya the most ;) and miss you guys every
single day. I would go beyond my reach for both of you. I love you guys to the
moon and back. Why just the moon! I love you guys till beyond the universe and
back. ( I don’t care, if that doesn’t make sense at all.)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Here are some pictures of us.</div>
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Wish you a very happy second birthday, Laksh.😄💝🎂🎂🎉🎈🎊</div>
May God bless you and showers you with His love, happiness and success in every endeavor of your happy life.<br />
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Mitali Kumarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01986230203981536139noreply@blogger.com4Rajkot, Gujarat, India22.3038945 70.80215989999999222.068793 70.4794364 22.538995999999997 71.124883399999987tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8079978120633453169.post-49933469371645678002019-07-31T10:19:00.000-04:002019-07-31T10:19:06.114-04:00An affair with Mumbai<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Mumbai, the city that I call home. The city that stirs up so many emotions in me. A city that I love and yet am not unaware of the issues. A city where people come together in time of crisis but in everyday life, the same people stare or ignore you. Mumbai, a city filled with dreams and dreamers. A city I call home even though I haven't live in it for 10 years. A city that will always be special to me. Which is why, I absolutely enjoyed showing his beautiful city to my beautiful child, Laksh.<br />
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Here are some pics from the trip, I wish I has enough words to express what joy this has been for me but for now, let the pictures guide you through.<br />
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Smriti Zalpuri Kumarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13660348059096824499noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8079978120633453169.post-41669762212902698962019-07-12T10:55:00.001-04:002019-07-12T11:28:46.153-04:00First international trip<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Dear readers,<br />
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It’s been a while but so much has happened that I kind of think one blog entry would be insufficient but I’ll try. Guys Laksh is going to be 2 years old in a months times. OMG!! Where have the two years gone??<br />
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Did I mention that Laksh went on his first international trip last month and it was epic. We traveled to India from NYC and I couldn’t have been more prepared. In fact, I was so over prepared that most of our luggage had things for Laksh and most of those things came back the same way. But, I would do it the exact same way again. It’s better to be prepared and not need things than the other way round.<br />
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We flew from NYC to Dubai which was a 13 hour flight. Laksh had never been on an airplane before so we simply went all in and chose the longest flight possible. Thank God it worked out well. Laksh couldn’t have been more cooler and indifferent to the change of scenery. He was walking around the airplane like he does that for a living. Most of the cabin crew had eventually become friends of him. He loved saying hi and bye to everyone and simply give them smiles and hi fives.<br />
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<span style="clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIhsa9I7Jrgcjbi3Bkb8uEFvH2FkC56XxER9zxIOeumkVm-0aAEltW-vhzZYvneXmH-1iaSHQMD73JwyYf90RaoWJUl5XcGYdl5d03XRIMmsTquWlDPVnieXlnOrLQ0v-WDF1ihKGe_-8/s1600/WhatsApp+Image+2019-07-12+at+10.08.48+AM+%25283%2529.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">When we landed in Dubai we weren’t prepared for the 6 hour lay over in the middle of the holy month of Ramadan. Most of the airport was deserted and I have been to Dubai airport before but never have I seen it this clear and empty. Plus being so close to Mumbai and still sitting at the airport for 6 hours before we can take the 2 hour flight was simply frustrating. </a></span></div>
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Finally our flight was called and while we were walking toward the gate, Laksh slept. Finally. The entire 2 hour flight he and Mumma slept while daddy got some breather. We reached India and were so jet lagged that immigration and customs feels like a dream and I can’t really recall much. The next thing I remember clearly is seeing my family and how much fun that was. It was simply perfect. We were flying with my parents so they were going back to India after a few months whereas my husband and I hadn’t been to India in over 4 years.<br />
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The next couple of weeks went by in the blink of an eye. We traveled so much and met so many people within the 4 week trip that I feel it was almost record breaking. We traveled to Mumbai, Igatpuri, Nashik, Shirdi, Agra, Delhi, Ghaziabad, Gurgaon, Rajkot, Anand and then back to Mumbai.<br />
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My next few blogs are going to be photo blogs focusing on one city or more at a time. Enjoy!! Also do let me know if you want me to write a blog on the must haves on an international trip with a one and half year old. Take care and always be kind!<br />
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Smriti Zalpuri Kumarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13660348059096824499noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8079978120633453169.post-29840083181723990052019-04-16T10:06:00.001-04:002019-04-16T10:06:21.518-04:00One step at a time<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Dear readers,<br />
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Laksh is 20 months old and life has been good. Some days we have big highs and some days we have small lows. But isn't that what makes life interesting? I have decided to use this blog as a platform to document this amazing journey and the feeling that it creates.<br />
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Motherhood can feel, at least to me, like the most rewarding and yet the most isolating experience. Every mom does it differently. There are some moms that juggle so much and yet do it successfully. I am not one of them. I wish I were. Sometimes, I feel that juggling between all the therapy sessions, doctors appointments and other needs (due to this Hirschsprung's disease) makes me lose focus from spending fun times doing nothing with him. I constantly remind myself that he is just a baby and needs to do baby activities as well that are not a therapy session orchestrated by the city (which we are eternally grateful for). Laksh gets 4 different kinds of therapy and due to this we sometimes struggle to get them all done in the week. My rule for him is, he gets his 2 hour nap in the day and no therapy on weekends. Weekends are meant for us to do family things together. For him to just be a kid, and not a kid with "special needs". For us to go to the park, go shopping, go to the beach or zoo, go to the movies, have a lazy day at home, visit a friend, take a trip outside the city or walk around the block. I feel like Laksh needs a balance of structured therapy sessions with a strict schedule during the week and unstructured play times that he can be the boss of during the weekends.<br />
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Social media has helped me connect with amazing people that have helped me in so many different ways. People that have become parents before us and some that have started this journey after us. Some people who get it and some who don't. Most days I cherish this but some days I get sucked into the "is their life better than ours" game. I see parents who make different kinds of food for their kids, or take them to the park every day or indoor gaming area and I find myself wondering am I failing as a mom coz I can't find the time to do that after working full time? Most days, I get home from work and play with Laksh for a little while after which we have to start his night time routine. I see mothers uploading amazing pictures with their kids or of their kids during the week days and I see my phone that only has screenshots taken during a facetime call that I had with him in between seeing patients. And I think to myself; am I missing out on his childhood because I work? Most days I am able to look past this and just enjoy the journey but some days I wonder, am I doing enough?<br />
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No one dreams of wanting a kid that needs extra care and help. No one wants to spend so much time being their child's therapist, teacher, nurse, advocate that they sometimes forget being just their mom. I understand being a parent is being all this and more. But for me, sometimes it ends up being just that. I love and cherish my Laksh more than words can express. Being a mom gives me this super human strength that lets me function on little sleep, and even less privacy. And I won't change it for the world. But some days I just want to be mere human. I want to be enough just as I am, without anyone letting me know that I might not be. I want to be a me.<br />
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I came across this article that resonated with what I am feeling. I would like to highlight some parts of it here.<br />
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<strong>Worry</strong></h2>
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<span aria-hidden="true" class="blast mmt-sentence">Compulsive worrying doesn’t make your child any safer.</span> <span aria-hidden="true" class="blast mmt-sentence">It doesn’t make you any happier.</span> <span aria-hidden="true" class="blast mmt-sentence">And it teaches your children to live in fear.</span></div>
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<span aria-hidden="true" class="blast mmt-sentence">Release your worries and</span> <a href="https://www.mother.ly/child/why-gratitude-isnt-something-you-teachbut-help-your-children-feel" style="color: #87739f; text-decoration-line: none; transition: color 0.2s ease-in-out 0s, border 0.2s ease-in-out 0s;">cultivate gratitude</a> <span aria-hidden="true" class="blast mmt-sentence">for your child’s safety in the present moment.</span></div>
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<strong>Unhealthy self-sacrifice</strong></h2>
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<span aria-hidden="true" class="blast mmt-sentence">As a parent, you generously give love, time, and attention.</span> <span aria-hidden="true" class="blast mmt-sentence">But</span> <a href="https://www.mother.ly/love/making-time-to-take-care-of-yourself-8-everyday-self-care-tips-for-busy-parents" style="color: #87739f; text-decoration-line: none; transition: color 0.2s ease-in-out 0s, border 0.2s ease-in-out 0s;">you shouldn’t give up your core self</a> </div>
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<strong>Guilt</strong></h2>
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<span aria-hidden="true" class="blast mmt-sentence">Parents sometimes fall into the self-sacrifice trap because they feel unnecessary guilt.</span> <span aria-hidden="true" class="blast mmt-sentence">Guilt can be useful if you use it to recognize where you need to make changes.</span> <span aria-hidden="true" class="blast mmt-sentence">But overwhelming, paralyzing guilt that makes you feel worthless as a person or parent doesn’t accomplish anything.</span></div>
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<span aria-hidden="true" class="blast mmt-sentence">You are enough, just as you are just because you’re a parent.</span> <span aria-hidden="true" class="blast mmt-sentence">When you ignore your basic needs, you teach your children that when they grow up, they shouldn’t take care of themselves.</span></div>
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<strong>Your need to look perfect</strong></h2>
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<a href="https://www.mother.ly/life/to-the-mom-having-an-off-daytheres-no-such-thing-as-perfect" style="color: #87739f; text-decoration-line: none; transition: color 0.2s ease-in-out 0s, border 0.2s ease-in-out 0s;">No such thing as a perfect parent</a><span aria-hidden="true" class="blast mmt-sentence">. Embrace your imperfections.</span> <span aria-hidden="true" class="blast mmt-sentence">Laugh at yourself.</span> <span aria-hidden="true" class="blast mmt-sentence">The best parents are willing to always learn, change and improve.</span></div>
or you can read the entire article here:<br />
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<a href="https://www.mother.ly/life/want-to-be-a-happy-parent-let-go-of-these-15-things-to-find-joy">https://www.mother.ly/life/want-to-be-a-happy-parent-let-go-of-these-15-things-to-find-joy</a><br />
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Enjoy a small video (taking by my lovely mother) of my precious Laksh and his PT acing stair climbing: one step at a time<br />
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Smriti Zalpuri Kumarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13660348059096824499noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8079978120633453169.post-14419278448053507332019-03-21T14:51:00.003-04:002019-03-22T10:39:22.486-04:00The story of the extra chromosome<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
In 2017, we stumbled upon this journey that we did not know we would love and thrive in. Our son Laksh, was diagnosed with Down syndrome and Hirschsprung's disease after birth. And like most, we feared the unknown. We just wanted to have what everyone else was having. All we wanted was a "normal life". Little did we know, 19 months later, our life couldn't be more normal, boring even.<br />
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On World Down Syndrome Day, I wanted to take the opportunity to educate people about Down Syndrome. Well, if you search the Internet, it will tell you that Down Syndrome is a genetic chromosome 21 disorder that causes developmental and intellectual delays. In simple terms, individuals with an extra copy of the 21st chromosome (also known as trisomy 21) have certain limitations like they might be shorter than usual, they might speak with a slur, they might walk with support, they might need glasses to see, and they might need oxygen cylinders to breathe.<br />
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While all of the above might be true, this is just half the picture. The problem is most of the information on the internet is outdated and untrue. Kids and adults with Down syndrome are doing so much more than what people, especially the medical community give them credit for. Being a parent, we are constantly worried about our children. It is just the same when it is about a child with a disability. It is high time we realize that these outdated statements alone cannot define them. They are so much more than this one thing which is a minute part of their lives.<br />
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<b><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif;">“When you focus on someone's disability you'll overlook their abilities, beauty and uniqueness. Once you learn to accept and love them for who they are, you subconsciously learn to love yourself unconditionally.” </span></span></b></div>
<b><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif;">― </span><span class="authorOrTitle" style="background-color: white; font-family: "lato" , "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Yvonne Pierre, </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif;"></span><span id="quote_book_link_7723255" style="background-color: white; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif;"><a class="authorOrTitle" href="https://www.goodreads.com/work/quotes/10478793" style="font-family: Lato, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, sans-serif; text-decoration-line: none;">The Day My Soul Cried: A Memoir</a></span></span></b><br />
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<b><span style="color: #f1c232;">Let’s stop “tolerating” or “accepting” difference, as if we’re so much better for not being different in the first place. Instead, let’s celebrate difference, because in this world it takes a lot of guts to be different.’ – Kate Bornstein</span></b></div>
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<span style="color: #f1c232;"><b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"Chances are, disabled or not, you don't grow all of your food. Chances are, you didn't build the car, bike, wheelchair, subway, shoes, or bus that transports you. Chances are you didn't construct your home. Chances are you didn't sew your clothing (or make the fabric and thread used to sew it). The difference between the needs that many disabled people have and the needs of people who are not labelled as disabled is that non-disabled people have had their dependencies normalized."</span><em style="border: 0px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">AJ Withers</span></em></b></span></div>
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Make yourself aware about Down Syndrome. Because they and we decide not to focus on the limitations but the possibilities. And we urge you to do the same. Here are some wonderful stars that have Down syndrome and are all uniquely different but just as perfect. Laksh and us, are proud to be on it.<br />
Banner created by @raising_peanut (Instagram handle) and it is called 100 amazing faces.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF7cCW4c0FqE7FQIx-_JSIYUCmg-HDXX4MIqg5nCc0d-bHmvulmlUQ0DYwiashqLxXGPNQAWKPfhbpxwW0NoBdbV4mwYCxUZXbgy09mukxYIVxt_vXOY1Pmmye1eaMi7tZAHxL16B7hiE/s1600/WhatsApp+Image+2019-03-21+at+10.41.32+AM.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1074" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF7cCW4c0FqE7FQIx-_JSIYUCmg-HDXX4MIqg5nCc0d-bHmvulmlUQ0DYwiashqLxXGPNQAWKPfhbpxwW0NoBdbV4mwYCxUZXbgy09mukxYIVxt_vXOY1Pmmye1eaMi7tZAHxL16B7hiE/s640/WhatsApp+Image+2019-03-21+at+10.41.32+AM.jpeg" width="429" /></a></div>
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What a coincidence that it is Holi today, the festival of colors, which is celebrated in India. This day is all about your most colorful, fun or even mismatched socks. Please tag us to help spread the cheer.</div>
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Happy World Down Syndrome day!!</div>
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Smriti Zalpuri Kumarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13660348059096824499noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8079978120633453169.post-65655031099867982782019-01-18T10:45:00.002-05:002019-01-18T10:45:28.347-05:00Special needs baby?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Dear readers,<br />
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Laksh is going to be 18 months old soon and for as long as I remember, people have always differentiated between our babies and typically growing babies. Even when people think they are saying something positive they end up saying things like, "they are happy kids", or "they give great hugs", etc. My question is what do you mean by 'they'? Are you comfortable with grouping all the babies in the world with down syndrome under one umbrella? In that case, you should also be comfortable grouping kids who do not have Down syndrome under one umbrella as well. But you won't. Because you are willing to see typically growing kids as individual kids with different personalities and different potential. So why not my son?<br />
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Why not all kids irrespective of their physical, cognitive, socio-economic, or racial differences? Why not all kids are seen for who they are individually and not grouped due to one factor alone? You realize how silly and unfair that sounds? How would it sound if people start grouping us based on say the color of our eyes? All blue eyed people can only do this one thing, and all brown eyed people can do this other thing but only people with green eyes can do whatever they want. Is this not discrimination? Does this not place limitations on kids? We all agree that children are the future and yet we are comfortable segregating and limiting a big chunk of them just because we are ignorant and refuse to learn. Why? I don't know what my son can accomplish, like I do not know what any other baby will. This is life. We are not God, that knows it all. We are each given a life to live it to our fullest potential. Who are you to hinder that growth? Who are you to make someone feel like they are not good enough?<br />
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Most studies that I read always mentions how parents, siblings, co workers, friends of people with Down syndrome feel their life has been enriched because of that fact. They are more happy and satisfied in life. People with Down syndrome are also happy with the way their life is. At the end of it, don't we all want to be happy in life? When given a choice between being twice as happy or twice as smart, most people end up choosing happy. Just think about it for a minute. On our death bed, would we want a life that was filled with happiness or life filled with diplomas after diplomas? I am not saying that adults with Down syndrome are not smart or that they will not get diplomas after diplomas (because they are smart and they are graduating college and getting jobs) but all I am saying is that we don't know what one person is capable of.<br />
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Next time when you come across a person who is different from you, don't assume but instead engage. Have a conversation and learn more. Everyone wants to be seen for who they are and not based on some stereotype. Everyone has special needs, needs that are special for them and to them. Unique needs. One should not be penalized based on that. Love everyone and be kind.<br />
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Thank you for reading<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtExI5pU0R7APnzep0tWEUXYmd6rjHHiJnIus4pkceid19Az4uWrRk521Rxt0laManHT6QLOYMyMKxrkIRcPNzEGQjYD64f5-MmIjtRCCnRHTQyRpIPxgrekqtcfcnaKANlXtmPbGDmNA/s1600/love-everyone.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtExI5pU0R7APnzep0tWEUXYmd6rjHHiJnIus4pkceid19Az4uWrRk521Rxt0laManHT6QLOYMyMKxrkIRcPNzEGQjYD64f5-MmIjtRCCnRHTQyRpIPxgrekqtcfcnaKANlXtmPbGDmNA/s320/love-everyone.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Smriti Zalpuri Kumarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13660348059096824499noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8079978120633453169.post-4374793200035448622018-10-31T11:46:00.001-04:002018-10-31T11:46:20.619-04:00The more we learn the better we become<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="color: blue;">Dear readers,</span><br />
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<span style="color: blue;">Today marks the end of Down syndrome awareness month 2018. As I have written before, it’s not just one month that matters but what we do every single day. Talk to your kids, talk to families with babies that have Down syndrome, talk to adults that have Down syndrome. We welcome the opportunity to educate and also get educated. Here are pictures for each day of October to highlight some misconceptions and some concepts that need to be highlighted. Share with your loved ones and help create a more inclusive and more kind world.</span><br />
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<span style="color: blue;"><span style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><span style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;">I feel that people with Down syndrome were sent from above to help all of us become better people, and</span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">would like to thank you all for the support you have given us and the love you have showered on Laksh. We are extremely grateful to be on this journey with Laksh and because of him, learn a new kind way to be a member of the society. So thank you for the understanding and sorry about spamming your timeline for the past one month. Please continue to be just as awesome as guys have been to us and everyone around you. Happy Halloween </span><span class="_5mfr" style="background-color: white; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px 1px;"><span class="_6qdm" style="background-image: url("https://static.xx.fbcdn.net/images/emoji.php/v9/f86/1/16/1f383.png"); background-repeat: no-repeat; background-size: contain; display: inline-block; font-family: inherit; font-size: 16px; height: 16px; text-shadow: none; vertical-align: text-bottom; width: 16px;">🎃</span></span></span><br />
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Smriti Zalpuri Kumarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13660348059096824499noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8079978120633453169.post-48455779805580893922018-10-08T10:00:00.000-04:002018-10-08T10:59:46.062-04:00What is normal?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Dear readers,<br />
<br />
For as long I can remember, all I wanted to do was fit in. All I wanted was to be normal. Being an overweight child, you always became the butt of the joke. I remember as a child, I would wish I would just look like the other girls so no one would joke about me. It took me most of my life to understand my body is different as I am unique. Even if I would lose all the weight, I would still not look like the other girls. I would be me, I would be different.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ1QIX5Efhlehcx-e4mHxxp_3oE_DL4NXXJeNCZnspuds6exCBA3OAukuBkY_UvKut89A51eXJt20pHMg_m1zUVkjiM96ahke7G9hRukT1898HYH0xT2i0qanjBWeIm-PrNs715lBtIo4/s1600/IMG-2359.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="736" data-original-width="640" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ1QIX5Efhlehcx-e4mHxxp_3oE_DL4NXXJeNCZnspuds6exCBA3OAukuBkY_UvKut89A51eXJt20pHMg_m1zUVkjiM96ahke7G9hRukT1898HYH0xT2i0qanjBWeIm-PrNs715lBtIo4/s320/IMG-2359.JPG" width="277" /></a>Once I had Laksh, and after most of the medical concerns were tackled, my biggest concern was this. Laksh is going to stand out, look different, and will that make him the butt of joke? Will that make others want to make fun of him or bully him? It might take him longer than other kids to learn things, will that make people lose patience or their faith in his abilities?<br />
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Even now, I sometimes find myself looking for that comfort of "normal", that comfort of "familiar" but then I tell myself, God has planned a great and grand life for us and Laksh. God wants us to help shatter the stereotypes and break the invisible box of restrictions that the society puts us in. And anyway, what is normal? Isn't that just a perception? Not long ago, unfortunately, there was a rule in India which said having homosexual relations is unnatural and not normal. But we know that is not true. One can't chose who one loves. Similarly, one can't chose what abilities one can be born with. So as normal it is to be Gay, why can't we as a society accept that it as normal to have different abilities (I am not saying being Gay is the same as having a disability but just trying to make a point). And it is okay to look different. All we need to do is always chose kindness.<br />
I recently watched the movie "Wonder" (which is amazing BTW), in which the sister Via tells Auggie, that you can't blend in when you were born to stand out (I am para-phrasing). That sentence resonated with me a lot and I think isn't that something one should live by? We should just take a minute to think, why do we want to blend in with others? Why do we want to mix in the with crowd? Why are we scared of looking different? Why are we worried that people will stare? Just remember, you were meant to be you and just be-youtifully-you. Thank you for reading.<br />
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Smriti Zalpuri Kumarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13660348059096824499noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8079978120633453169.post-59354621676987216222018-10-01T11:05:00.002-04:002018-10-01T11:05:39.113-04:00How to celebrate down syndrome<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Dear readers,</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">October is down syndrome awareness month. The entire month, we celebrate people with down syndrome. We celebrate being different yet being the same. We celebrate triumphs. We celebrate failures. We celebrate life. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">If you love someone with down syndrome or if you just love people and want to show your support, here are a few things you can do.</span><br />
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<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Talk about Down syndrome with your kids. Create a dialogue. Create awareness. Most of the mean comments come from ignorance. Help break that cycle and educate people about what down syndrome is and how you can co-exist and flourish.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Down Syndrome Awareness is represented by the colors <b style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;"><span style="color: blue;">blue</span></b><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 16px;"> and </span><b style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;"><span style="color: #ffd966;">yellow</span></b><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 16px;">. </span>Consider wearing the colors, and if you're on social media, post stories using the hashtag #DownSyndromeAwarenessMonth to spread the message online. Tag us as well, using the hashtag #livelifelakshsize.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Remember positive support from family, friends and the community enable people with Down syndrome to lead fulfilling and productive lives.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Watch movies, and TV shows which helps see people with down syndrome just the way they should be and create an understanding which in turn helps break stereotypes. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Because every family deserves the opportunity to be blessed with a child with Down syndrome, consider a donation to Reece’s Rainbows <a href="http://reecesrainbow.org/sponsorship/voiceofhope" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; background-color: #f7f7f6; border-bottom: 1px solid; box-sizing: inherit; color: #5b5b5c; font-size: 17.36px; margin: 0px 2px; padding: 0px 0px 2px; text-decoration-line: none; transition: color 250ms ease 0s;">VOICE OF HOPE FUND.</a></span></li>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">October is a month where everyone is encouraged to participate in the campaign against discrimination of people with Down syndrome. You can do this through financial contribution, writing of awareness articles and sharing them to various places. You can also contribute by participating in buddy walk. In addition, we hope that people accept them in the society and understand that inclusion benefits everyone.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"Remember that this is a very important month," wrote the NDSS. "We have to spread awareness about Down syndrome and learn more about ourselves." </span></span></div>
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Smriti Zalpuri Kumarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13660348059096824499noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8079978120633453169.post-91830804168895066802018-09-27T13:01:00.001-04:002018-09-27T21:10:08.772-04:00Everything happens for a reason<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="color: #bf9000; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Dear readers,</span></div>
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<span style="color: #bf9000; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">It's almost down syndrome awareness month, and we couldn't be more excited. Thanks to our precious Laksh, this is our second year celebrating the unique and talented people with Down syndrome.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #bf9000; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">The more I think, the more I feel like Laksh and us were meant to happen no matter what. I know its silly but I always keep looking for omens, like God is trying to guide me through these signs. I am sure, you guys are aware that Down syndrome is caused by a third copy of the 21st chromosome, which incidentally happens to be my husband (3rd) and my birth date's (21st). If this isn't God telling us he got it, then I don't know what is.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">God's favorite child</td></tr>
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<span style="color: #bf9000; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">In today's time, children and adults with down syndrome are achieving so much and paving the path with success for all of us to follow. They are giving us "hope", something that unfortunately most of the medical world never does. You may have heard some doctors saying that your baby will always be happy, which some how paints them to be different than other kids. I have heard so many parents with typical kids telling me their kid is a happy child. How is that different from a baby with down syndrome being happy? And most importantly, your child will experience an array of emotions, just like anyone else. It is just that they might be easier to forgive you and move on. Live in the present and be kind. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #bf9000; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">One thing that irritates me the most is how doctors let down syndrome define your child's life. Anything I say Laksh is feeling, the answer is because is has hypotonia. I remember once I asked his doctor about excessive salivation and she said he has low tone in his mouth, but in reality it was because he was teething. You have to remember that this news will not over power your life. In fact, in a while it will slide into the background and you will just have good and bad days like anyone else which has nothing to do with down syndrome and everything to do with having a baby. You may have heard of Mikayla Holmgren - the first Miss USA contestant with Down syndrome, she once said in an interview that she has down syndrome on the side. I absolutely loved that and feel that is the best way to make people realize how it is not what defines you but just something you happen to have.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #bf9000; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Also, more recently a 19 year old with Down syndrome won an international beauty pageant. Read more about her here:</span></div>
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<span style="color: #bf9000; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><a href="https://metro.co.uk/2018/08/20/girl-with-downs-syndrome-wins-international-beauty-pageant-7858920/">https://metro.co.uk/2018/08/20/girl-with-downs-syndrome-wins-international-beauty-pageant-7858920/</a></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWyZEgEPkBpYPA6RffdxTYdPaIm9788EnKb9WRG4UA5kqzXtOChQaCou7camPWPytej9dSnHJwALfs-o38WHOlZeRzlKv_ADQgL1WtjwIE7z0QEck8z-K1L7enKWcSeX4Y2JPMAd1NHZ4/s1600/b6daff60-2102-46a1-9732-ae1175fd0a0e.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWyZEgEPkBpYPA6RffdxTYdPaIm9788EnKb9WRG4UA5kqzXtOChQaCou7camPWPytej9dSnHJwALfs-o38WHOlZeRzlKv_ADQgL1WtjwIE7z0QEck8z-K1L7enKWcSeX4Y2JPMAd1NHZ4/s320/b6daff60-2102-46a1-9732-ae1175fd0a0e.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Could become a teacher, you never know</td></tr>
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<span style="color: #bf9000; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">To mention a few more to make us see the <i>ABILITY </i>and not the disability in people.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #bf9000; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Angela Bachiller from Spain became the first person with Down syndrome to ever be elected as a councilwoman</span></div>
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<span style="color: #bf9000; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C3%81ngela_Bachiller">https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ángela_Bachiller</a></span></div>
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<span style="color: #bf9000; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Sujeet Desai from USA plays seven muscial instruments including the violin, piano, saxophone and trumpet</span></div>
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<a href="http://www.sujeet.com/"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">http://www.sujeet.com/</span></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #bf9000; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Megan McCormick from USA is the first person with Down syndrome to graduate with honors from a technical college</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #bf9000; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><a href="https://www.kentucky.com/news/local/community/article44423688.html">https://www.kentucky.com/news/local/community/article44423688.html</a></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #bf9000; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #bf9000; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #222222;">Pablo Pineda</span></span><span style="background-color: white;"> earned a bachelor’s degree in educational psychology and has gone on to be a writer, speaker, and actor.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #bf9000; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pablo_Pineda">https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pablo_Pineda</a></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #bf9000; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Ruby <span style="background-color: white;">Plachta</span><span style="background-color: white;"> is a 7 year old awesome kid living with her parents and older sister in Texas and has already helped so many adults with down syndrome to attend college. </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #bf9000; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><a href="https://rubysrainbow.org/">https://rubysrainbow.org/</a></span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #bf9000; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Madeline Stuart is an Australian to become the world's first professional model with Down syndrome. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #bf9000; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><a href="http://www.madelinestuartmodel.com/">http://www.madelinestuartmodel.com/</a></span><br />
<span style="color: #bf9000; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #bf9000; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Isabella Springmuhl Tejada is a 20-year-old fashion designer from Guatemala.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #bf9000; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><a href="https://aplus.com/a/fashion-designer-with-down-syndrome-isabella-springmuhl?no_monetization=true">https://aplus.com/a/fashion-designer-with-down-syndrome-isabella-springmuhl?no_monetization=true</a></span><br />
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<span style="color: #bf9000;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "open sans"; font-size: 15px;">John Lee Cronin, a young man with Down syndrome is a </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "open sans"; font-size: 15px;">co-founder</span><span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "open sans"; font-size: 15px;"> John’s Crazy Socks</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 15px;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "open sans";"><b>https://johnscrazysocks.com/</b></span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia__4gz_k_YObMqxOcChdWp0e1fj_0eyVu-f0TpbfC05qlcaN64KM1kw1XuAhFKW5g26ermriVRi3MayxQnNnvJPZWSvwDZ9ZBdB-9evDjNY0zhRCCFcQpqU__GL5QJb4lW5HeAPoYVeY/s1600/WhatsApp+Image+2018-09-27+at+1.06.22+PM.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="807" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia__4gz_k_YObMqxOcChdWp0e1fj_0eyVu-f0TpbfC05qlcaN64KM1kw1XuAhFKW5g26ermriVRi3MayxQnNnvJPZWSvwDZ9ZBdB-9evDjNY0zhRCCFcQpqU__GL5QJb4lW5HeAPoYVeY/s320/WhatsApp+Image+2018-09-27+at+1.06.22+PM.jpeg" width="252" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Laksh walking towards success while rocking his ponytail</td></tr>
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<span style="color: #bf9000;">These are just a few examples of how these young adults are shattering the image of what or how someone with Down syndrome should be. These talented individuals have so much determination that nothing can keep them down. Nothing can stop them and my Laksh from succeeding in life. All we need to do is believe. Thank you for reading. Remember to always be kind. </span><br />
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Smriti Zalpuri Kumarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13660348059096824499noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8079978120633453169.post-57380857529667421032018-09-17T12:49:00.002-04:002018-09-18T10:18:14.244-04:00Life is simple. Eat. Sleep. Swim.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">Swimming has been something we have always enjoyed as a family. In fact, my hubby, sisters, and my niece always sort of gravitated towards water, be it the ocean, sea, lake or a man made pool. </span><span style="background-color: white;">Swimming has always been a wonderful experience.</span><span style="background-color: white;"> Apart from giving me a sense of freedom, as we all know, it is a great exercise. Swimming not only builds endurance, muscle strength, and cardiovascular fitness, it also tones muscles without actually having to strain it by being weight bearing. Swimming is one of the few exercises that use mostly all of the major muscle groups. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">We recently enrolled Laksh in a group swimming class. I don't know if you guys remember, but sometime back we took him swimming for the first time and he loved it. After that, we had decided that we want Laksh to get comfy in water and probably pick up swimming as a skill early on. So, we started looking for classes online, and after a lot of research chose this one. This </span><span style="background-color: white;">class is once a week for 10 weeks and has around 15 kids in each class. They offer two 30 mins classes called "</span><span style="background-color: white;">Water Angels (6-19 Months)" . In these classes th</span><span style="background-color: white;">rough songs, fun and instructional games, students learn to be comfortable in the water & learn basic water skills. As all babies are pretty young, an adult has to accompany them in the pool. </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">At one point, all babies were given ducks that they had to throw into the water and then swim towards them in order to catch them. This is Laksh completely focused on the task given to him.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> Just want to share some videos (that I was able to edit to hide the faces of other kids) I took during the class. So much water, so little time.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #0b5394; font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-style: italic;">With so many people saying it couldn’t be done, all it takes is an imagination. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #0b5394; font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-style: italic; text-align: left;">–</span><span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0b5394; font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-style: italic; text-align: left;"> Michael Phelps </span> </div>
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<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">In related news, sometime back I read about this team of boys with downs syndrome that were competing along typical kids in the swimming pool. If that doesn't give us hope, then I don't know what else can. Its an amazing time to be alive and always strive to be better tomorrow than you are today. If you want to read more about these boys, please read the story here: </span><br />
<a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/humankind/2017/03/21/swimmers-down-syndrome-find-empowerment-pool/99442832/"><span style="color: #bf9000; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/humankind/2017/03/21/swimmers-down-syndrome-find-empowerment-pool/99442832/</span></a><br />
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<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Leaving you guys with a couple of Laksh's swag post swim photos. Lots of love 💓</span><br />
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Smriti Zalpuri Kumarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13660348059096824499noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8079978120633453169.post-17236888639824939632018-08-28T12:29:00.000-04:002018-08-28T13:46:52.286-04:00Long time coming <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Dear readers,</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">It’s been a while since I was motivated enough to write. Life has been great. Laksh has been great. But somehow, in all the craziness that’s life I just lost the will to write. My husband kept me going through it all by reminding me why I started this blog in the first place; to share with the world what a blessing our precious son is. And it’s for him that I write this blog and its for him that I shall strive to continue.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Laksh is one. Yes it’s been a year since God blessed us with our first born. This one year taught us so much. When Laksh turned one, I shared this post on our Instagram and Facebook page where I wrote a few lines encompassing my feelings.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"><i>This one year, I have learned so much. </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"><i>This one year, I have grown so much.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"><i>This one year. I have embraced so much.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"><i>This one year, I have loved so much.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"><i>This one year, I have felt humility.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"><i>This one year, I have felt grateful.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"><i>This one year, I have felt divinity.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"><i>This one year, I have felt complete.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"><i>Happy first birthday my precious Laksh. Thank you for making me a Mumma.</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">We had a pre-birthday celebration at our apartment a couple days before Laksh turned one and were lucky to have lots of loved ones come with their family. It was our first time hosting a party and I am proud to say it went well with only one adult tantrum (me) and zero baby tantrums.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">On the day of his birthday, we had a cake smash photo session for him and it couldn't have gone any better. I will let the photos do the talking.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">Things Laksh has always loved and has grown to love:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">1) Daddy</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">2) Mommy</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">3) His big sisters (he loves them both but has only met one so far)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">4) His aunts (all 0f his family actually)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">5) The beach</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7loYji4lK2vsSMhs4KjA3xs_bGyxTkh1XbJCyzwVo_1C6nECe99r0wEmwhaudTbrptMoSXiCrPt_n1bGo5MJ2Pt4d4zDzCWCoRLf3J-icerPqCPdP-xFQR520q3zCwp_4xPFqpzzRigI/s1600/2018-08-18_14-18-09_243.heic" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7loYji4lK2vsSMhs4KjA3xs_bGyxTkh1XbJCyzwVo_1C6nECe99r0wEmwhaudTbrptMoSXiCrPt_n1bGo5MJ2Pt4d4zDzCWCoRLf3J-icerPqCPdP-xFQR520q3zCwp_4xPFqpzzRigI/s320/2018-08-18_14-18-09_243.heic" width="240" /></a><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">6)The pool</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">7) The swings</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">8) Seeing new places and meeting people</span><br />
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9) Making a mess of his play area<br />
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10) Standing:<br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Things Laksh hates:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">1) Napping</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">2) Napping</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">3) Napping</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Thank you taking the time to read about how Laksh's first year has been. I am going to try to be more regular with blogging. Do write in your comments what you guys would like to know and I will try to blog about that next time. Always be kind folks. It is a great time to be alive.</span><br />
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Smriti Zalpuri Kumarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13660348059096824499noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8079978120633453169.post-42411746727579809862018-04-12T11:42:00.002-04:002018-04-12T11:42:28.274-04:00My thoughts for you..<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Dear readers,<br />
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I know I have been very sporadic with my writing but most days I am on complete zombie mode by the time I get home that bed seems like the only thing on my mind.<br />
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Laksh still isn't sleeping through the night so hubby and I (mostly him 😉) take turns waking up with him, which can be exhausting after working long hours.<br />
Being a parent is the most rewarding and most terrifying experience in life. When we add working parent to it, that makes it a little more challenging and then comes a child with special needs. In the past 8 months, (yes Laksh is 8 months old already) what I have learned is that, more difficult the circumstances, more rewarding it becomes. Like anything else in life, the more you have to work for it, the more you appreciate it. There are days you wish life was a little easy but easy is boring. Easy is like getting stuck in a rut without any excitement. Easy is like eating the same flavor of ice cream day after day and everyone knows that variety is the spice of life.<br />
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Every single day, I wake up grateful that God gave me this responsibility. I do think that we get only what we can handle even if it may not seem so in the beginning. Always keep that in mind. Next time you see an over worked parent, dont be quick to judge but simply empathize. I know it's easy to mock but it's divine to understand instead. Love what you have and appreciate what you don't.<br />
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Leaving you guys with a couple pics of my baby at his 8 month birth day. <br />
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Sorry if there are any mistakes, wrote this on my phone while riding the subway to work. Be kind always folks. </div>
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Smriti Zalpuri Kumarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13660348059096824499noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8079978120633453169.post-73988890415741195442018-03-21T17:46:00.000-04:002018-03-22T17:47:24.321-04:00World Down Syndrome Day<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Dear readers,<br />
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Since Laksh came into our lives, so many things have happened, so many emotions have been felt and so many minds have been changed. As many of you might know, we received a birth diagnosis when Laksh was born and took some time to process the whole thing. But once all the feelings of being cheated on, and loss of the idea of a perfect baby were done with, I started relishing the love filled smiles that I wake up to every morning. Having a baby with special needs just makes us more appreciative of the things we would have otherwise taken for granted. Seeing your baby work hard to do things that typically growing babies do effortlessly and then giving you the best smile once they accomplish it, is worth everything. And, trust me, they will accomplish it, it might just take them a little longer at times.<br />
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We are lucky enough to have some amazing group of people we call family and friends that have always been supportive and encouraging. Being surrounded by people that love you for who you are and not what labels think you should be, is the best feeling. Thank you everyone for taking the time out to send us photographs wearing your coolest, funnest and most colorful socks to honor my precious baby and others like him. We are so grateful and appreciative of the love. You guys made our first #worlddownsyndromeday so special. Cheers. Keep loving and be kind.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkhWkCASnNbCmSRk-W8ZJqStZVRMbvEnI8e22zzZaduV8O5BYjJzjGtjfOJY7Bqpsyuo0nS2ruCnd2_Vz4jy84Y08yvCt85J-Yo_Lgyulg90I7AokaZ-Xz1rd8d0BLdCEWxzKXuR378YA/s1600/WhatsApp+Image+2018-03-22+at+3.55.25+PM.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1599" data-original-width="1599" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkhWkCASnNbCmSRk-W8ZJqStZVRMbvEnI8e22zzZaduV8O5BYjJzjGtjfOJY7Bqpsyuo0nS2ruCnd2_Vz4jy84Y08yvCt85J-Yo_Lgyulg90I7AokaZ-Xz1rd8d0BLdCEWxzKXuR378YA/s320/WhatsApp+Image+2018-03-22+at+3.55.25+PM.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Smriti Zalpuri Kumarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13660348059096824499noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8079978120633453169.post-59833058563981064702018-01-29T13:55:00.000-05:002018-01-29T13:57:08.929-05:00Not the child one may want but definitely the child one needs <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span></span><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">It has been a while since I have been able to blog. Life has been busy and I am grateful but that meant not being able to blog for a while. In this time, lots of new developments have happened, some good and some disappointing.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span></span><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Laksh is almost 6 months old, I am so excited to be planning his half birthday. Can't believe my baby boy is almost 6 months old. How time flies, it is amazing. We also finally had a newborn/baby photo shoot for Laksh which turned out pretty well. Here are some glimpses of it</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-weight: normal;">And now the disappointing part:</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-weight: normal;">A lot of people in the DS community may have already heard about the special of Tom Segura rightly named "Diagraceful" that is to be aired on Netflix where he <span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #222222;">makes a joke about the usage of the word, “retard” and how it is no longer politically correct and questions if one should say ‘a person with the extra 21’st chromosome’? My question to him is, when has bullying been regarded as humor? When has mocking at someone's differences made you stronger or funnier? Why is it that you find the need to target a group of people who have never said a mean word about anyone and all they ever want is to be treated as human beings, just like anyone else.</span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #222222;"><br /></span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">When a</span><span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"> fellow mom from the Down Syndrome community commented on his social media page, conveying her distasteful reaction to what he calls art, in response, Mr. Segura commented, “Netflix, please don’t take my special down. That’d be so retarded.” He not only denied making an attempt to try and understand what he said wrong or its ramifications, he went on to say it again, in an attempt to appear "funny" . I think it is weak that you can only get a few laughs from people at the expense of someone else, and in this case, many such individuals who had nothing to do with it whatsoever. I have been a part of this community for a short time but as passionate as any one else. No one chooses to have a child with special needs, but one can always choose to love, choose to accept and choose to being kind. As a parent, you may understand the overprotective instinct that comes with the </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">territory, the need to protect your child from the tiniest of troubles, the need to be his or her advocate and making sure your child gets all the good things life has to offer. </span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-weight: 400;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">It surprises me that despite being lucky enough to have a child, you aren't lucky enough to learn acceptance and kindness for them. I feel sorry for you and your ignorance. Having a child with down syndrome makes you privy of unconditional love and have a deep appreciation for happiness. Always remember if you decide to have another child, and that child is blessed with an extra chromosome, the same people you mock now, would welcome you with open arms. That is why I feel that we all need to have such a blessing bestowed upon us so we can learn what it actually means to live life to the fullest.</span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-weight: 400;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-weight: 400;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-size: small; font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span><div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small; font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">I would urge everyone to please </span><a href="https://www.change.org/p/netflix-take-it-down-netflix" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #4f5c1f; transition: all 0.1s ease-in-out;">sign the petition</a><span style="background-color: white;"> and contact Netflix yourself to rate Tom Segura’s “comedy” show. You can reach them at PR@netflix.com or contact the CEO Reed Hasting at rred.hastings@netflix.com. </span></span></span></span></div>
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Smriti Zalpuri Kumarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13660348059096824499noreply@blogger.com4