To the makers of the movie Mimi

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.

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.

 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.

Love and Kindness are never wasted

Love and kindness are never wasted.
They always make a difference.
 They bless the one who receives them, and they bless you, the giver.
- Barbara Se Angelis
One of my biggest fear is will people be kind to Laksh? 

Will people understand that just because he might need more time to understand or 

learn something new, doesn’t mean he can’t do that ever. 

I hope that people understand that he is curious about things and if given a chance, 

a true chance he will flourish. I hope people see in him all the mischief that I can and

 all the love that is clearly apparent.
I hope that people see what a talented 2 year old he is and

 that having #downsyndrome is just a part of his being. 

He also has a sense of humor, a contagious smile, a way of making mommy and daddy dance

 on his fingers, a will to learn and learn with zest, 

an ability to make you see world in a whole different way, 

an ability to see good in the world, 

an ability to excel when given proper guidance and motivation,

 a way of moving on from things that are not important in the grand scheme of things,

 an art of fake crying to get his way, and make friends with ease.
When I see him with all things parts attached to his personality, 

Down syndrome kind of stops being this overpowering thing people had made it out to be.

 Again, I don’t mean that it’s not tough at times but well that’s how life is.

 We can’t keep dwelling in that. 

Laksh is so much more that his diagnosis but you can see that only if you truly look.
Always be kind, it’s doesn’t take anything out of you but has the power of making or

 breaking someone.

To follow Laksh's journey you can connect with us on:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/livelifelakshsize/?
Instgram: @livelifelakshsize
Website: www.livelifelakshsize.comAnd if you loved reading this or any other articles here, please do hit the follow button and share. 

Thank you

The more we learn the better we become

Dear readers,

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.

                                     

                                    

 

                                      

   

             

I feel that people with Down syndrome were sent from above to help all of us become better people, andwould 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 🎃

How to celebrate down syndrome

Dear readers,

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. 

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.

• 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.
• Down Syndrome Awareness is represented by the colors blue and yellow.  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.
• Remember positive support from family, friends and the community enable people with Down syndrome to lead fulfilling and productive lives.
• 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. 
• Because every family deserves the opportunity to be blessed with a child with Down syndrome, consider a donation to Reece’s Rainbows VOICE OF HOPE FUND.

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.

"Remember that this is a very important month," wrote the NDSS. "We have to spread awareness about Down syndrome and learn more about ourselves."  

Everything happens for a reason

Dear readers,

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.

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.

God's favorite child

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. 

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.

Also, more recently a 19 year old with Down syndrome won an international beauty pageant. Read more about her here:

https://metro.co.uk/2018/08/20/girl-with-downs-syndrome-wins-international-beauty-pageant-7858920/

Could become a teacher, you never know

To mention a few more to make us see the ABILITY and not the disability in people.

Angela Bachiller from Spain became the first person with Down syndrome to ever be elected as a councilwoman

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ángela_Bachiller

Sujeet Desai from USA plays seven muscial instruments including the violin, piano, saxophone and trumpet

http://www.sujeet.com/

Megan McCormick from USA is the first person with Down syndrome to graduate with honors from a technical college

https://www.kentucky.com/news/local/community/article44423688.html

Pablo Pineda earned a bachelor’s degree in educational psychology and has gone on to be a writer, speaker, and actor.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pablo_Pineda

Ruby Plachta 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. 

https://rubysrainbow.org/

Madeline Stuart is an Australian to become  the world's first professional model with Down syndrome. 
http://www.madelinestuartmodel.com/

Isabella Springmuhl Tejada is a 20-year-old fashion designer from Guatemala.
https://aplus.com/a/fashion-designer-with-down-syndrome-isabella-springmuhl?no_monetization=true

John Lee Cronin, a young man with Down syndrome is a co-founder John’s Crazy Socks
https://johnscrazysocks.com/

Laksh walking towards success while rocking his ponytail

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. 

Life is simple. Eat. Sleep. Swim.

Dear readers,

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. Swimming has always been a wonderful experience. 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.   

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 class is once a week for 10 weeks and has around 15 kids in each class. They offer two 30 mins classes called "Water Angels (6-19 Months)" . In these classes through 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. 

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.

 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.

   

                                                                                 

With so many people saying it couldn’t be done, all it takes is an imagination. 

– Michael Phelps          

                                                         

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: 
https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/humankind/2017/03/21/swimmers-down-syndrome-find-empowerment-pool/99442832/


Leaving you guys with a couple of Laksh's swag post swim photos. Lots of love 💓

 

God is good but are we?

Today, I came across this story of a beautiful baby girl called Norah Mae. She is this awesome and fierce girl who was born with Trisomy 13. Though she lived here for 5 days, her life continues to give strength to others. When I read her story that her mom writes at http://www.hellonorah.com/, I came to realize the strength these amazing mothers have. I also talked about this beautiful and strong baby Colton, who unfortunately passed away and is now in the arms of angels. His life has also been a source of encouragement and joy to so many others. You can read about him at https://www.facebook.com/ColtonStrongHeartWarrior/. These mothers and their extremely special babies have made me happy and yet made my cry so hard. I would sincerely like to thank you for the courage you showed and for sharing your stories with us. Thank you for letting us into your lives and giving us a chance to get to know your precious babies.


Since before I became a mother, I have always been very sensitive about what others say and very protective about myself and my loved ones. After Laksh came in our lives, these instincts are on a all time high. My heart aches so much for other mothers and their babies and it feels so much joy for them as well. Laksh has already taught us so much that most people take for granted, even most parents. Laksh showed us this whole new world filled with babies with different abilities and yet each one of them, simply perfect.

When Laksh was diagnosed after birth and had to spend over 60 days in the NICU, I remember struggling with it and being angry with the universe and God for doing this to my sweet baby. Everytime Laksh had to get his IV changed, or pricked and prodded;  he would cry for the longest time and my heart would break and my anger would grow. I hate to admit but I was angry at God. I thought that he was punishing my baby because of some fault of mine. At that time, I failed to realize that God is good and God is our creator. So if we hurt, he hurts. He would never hurt us and always trust Him, as only He knows what His plans are. Since then, I have come to believe very strongly in God's plan and believe He has a greater purpose for Laksh and us. I think, through Laksh, He is teaching us to be better people and through this blog, I am trying to share more about Laksh with the world.

Laksh has taught me how to see each person as an individual and to respect their choices. How we should try to understand their journey. How to be sensitive to others and what they are going through. Being grateful for what God thought you were able to handle and blessed you with. So let our babies teach us some very valuable lessons. Next time, when you see someone in need, be the one to help them. When you see someone grieving, try to be the one to comfort them, and if you can't at least do not add to it. When you see someone being treated unfairly, raise your voice for them. Even though, I know and believe that God is good, sometimes, I still wonder, then why do little babies have to die? Why do little babies have to suffer? Why do people have to go hungry when there is so much food in the world? Why are differences not celebrated but mocked and bullied? I hope someday, we get to see the world where kindness is not an unexpected gesture would simply the way to live.

New year; Old me?

Dear readers,

Happy 2018 everybody. Hope this year brings you all joy, love and good health, everything else will fall into place in time. I would like to thank everyone for their support so far and I hope to keep getting more love for Laksh and our little venture; this blog.

It seems like we just celebrated Christmas and in a blink of the eye, its already 2018. Christmas has always been the best part of the year. All the lights, and festivities around me always cheers me up. Recently, I have started to feel the need to start traditions, things that I want Laksh to look forward to. Things like, baking cookies for Christmas together, opening gifts Christmas morning, wearing matching family PJ's, taking family trips across the globe, taking a minute to reflect and being grateful, give to others what we can, being kind and smiling a lot.

I have never been the kind of person to wait for new year to make resolutions, if I want to change something I do it right away. I am also someone who likes to celebrate and capture every moment that I can, because that is what makes life worth living, at least that is what I feel. My sisters and I have always been those people who love to celebrate and cherish each other and the people around us.

January 1st marked the beginning of this year but for us, it also marked the day our baby boy turned 5 months old. We spent the day celebrating his 5 month birthday instead. Hubby and I baked a chocolate cake for Laksh and it was such a fun experience. This lead me to think of other ways to be able to have more fun, be responsible and also lead a more meaningful life. To live life and not merely exist.

• Read a book to Laksh every night
• Laugh at small things instead of getting angry 
• Try to get quality sleep time
• Family movie night with popcorn (pop corn not optional)
• Go for a brisk walk (even when its freezing cold)
• Listen to music and dance
• Lite a scented candle
• Drink more water
• Try new recipes
• Don't freak out over every small thing and go with the flow (more of me than anyone else)
• Give someone a compliment and mean it 
• Be helpful and kind to strangers
• Be more patient
• And remove the Christmas tree before the end of this month. 😉

As we start a new year, I hope people learn to be more tolerant, kind, open-minded, accepting, friendly, understanding, polite, and kind. I know I said kind twice, that’s how important it is. If there is only one thing you want to take away from this blog today, then let it be kindness.

You win some and you lose some

To call this year a roller coaster of emotions would be an understatement. With everything that has happened, I have come to realize and appreciate the importance of family (online and IRL). Laksh and us, are fortunate in that sense. 

Even before his birth, his grand parents and aunts had started planning trips to the states from India. Birth of a baby is always such a joyous time, and getting months and months to plan is such a blessing (even though most babies do what they want and don't really give a damn about our birth plan). Anyone of knows me would say I am not a very patient person and having to wait 9 whole months (no one tells you this, but its actually 10 calendar months) to see my munchkin is one of the hardest things I had to do, or so I thought.

Planning for your baby, especially your first one can be a fun yet a daunting process. For me, being a type A, instant gratification kinda person, I planned and planned and then planned some more for every scenario that I could think of except the one that actually happened. Life is funny that way. Isn't there a saying that goes something like, If you want to make God laugh, tell him your plans? 

 

With this year coming to an end, my parents have finally been able to make it to US to see my baby. Mom had come briefly back when he was in the NICU so with so many restrictions wasn't really able to spend time with Laksh. My dad wanted a boy to hang out with since my older sister was born 35 years ago and finally after 3 daughters and a grand daughter. here comes my darling Laksh. This picture of my dad and his baby boy is something I am going to hold on forever in my heart, and on the internet 😉.  I am my daddy's girl and this is such a beautiful sight for me, that my heart hurts with joy and gratitude. 

"Surely, two of the most satisfying experiences in life must be those of being a grandchild or a grand parent." 

Donald A Norber

  

Additionally, the end of this year marks saying good bye to his grand mother and aunt who are going back to India after being with Laksh since the time he was born. Farewells can be so hard even though they are temporary. Here are some pictures of Laksh with his aunt (dad's sister) and grand mother (dad's mom).

Laksh is now waiting to meet his other aunt and uncle, his two older sisters, his fur brother, and his two more mommies. Hopefully soon. So as we bid adieu to 2017, we also say good byes to some loved ones and welcome others. Until next time.

 Happy new year to everyone! Lots of love from Laksh and all of us. See you next year.

I absolutely cannot end this year without a special mention to the Murray family. My heart hurts for you and I cannot imagine how you are dealing with the loss of your precious baby. Colton, without ever meeting you, I have fallen in love sweetheart. You will forever be missed. For those who have not heard of him, here is a link to help you get to know what an awesome baby he was. God bless you Colton. 

https://www.facebook.com/ColtonStrongHeartWarrior/?ref=br_rs