Pictures

When I was looking for the pictures to add of Matt when he was a baby, I had taken his baby book to the store when I was making this blog banner. I found some pictures that made me smile.

My mom Barbara with Michael in the stroller and Matt in the cowboy hat.

Matt, Me and Michael.

My aunt Sandy, my grandma Privett, My sister Tonya, My mom and Me (with the cheesy smile)

 

Thanksgiving

There are too many things in my life that I am thankful for so I am just going to say..

My family is the best, my Mom and Dad, my Sister and her family, my husband's family, other family not quite related to anymore but still love, and my own family. Bobby, Matt and Amy, Michael and Alison, Ashley, AJ and my granddaughter Annika, Rebecca, Noah and last but not least (our dog who does not know she is a dog) Sassy. I love you with all of my heart.

I can not forget all of our Abilities Richmond friends.

Matthew Thomas

So last night I lie awake thinking about all I and my family have gone through since Matt was born. One of the most memorable moments I recalled was after Matt was born, my sister Tonya gave me a poem or card that was about how God had chosen me because he knew I could handle it (having a child with special needs). That card was long ago lost but the memory will last my lifetime. She was only 13 at the time and probably still doesn't know how much that meant to me, just when I needed it.

Matt was born on August 6th, 1983 and I was so excited to finally be having him. Back then they didn't test for things as much as they do now, so I had no idea what was to come. He was an easy birth and weighed 5lbs 6oz. He was beautiful and so tiny. The doctors came to my room and told me they were concerned and were going to take a test because his eyes looked a little slanted. They assured me that my eyes looked the same so I shouldn't worry. They told me what the test was for, Down Syndrome but again assured me that because of my age it probably wasn't going to come back positive. They also told me if it did it would probably be a type of Down Syndrome they called Mosaic Down Syndrome, where only some of the cells had the extra 21st chromosomes. (So to explain Down Syndrome to someone who doesn't know about it, Matt is extra special because every cell in his body has an extra 21st chromosome.) I can't recall just how long it took for the tests to come back but the doctor called and said the results were back and to come in and get the results. Well he didn't sound to concerned so I went alone with just Matt and he told me it was positive and Matt did have Down Syndrome. I was devastated and in a way it was like a death, the death of a life I thought I was going to have. I called my mom and my husband and they both came to the doctors office to get us.

Now I am 27 years from that day and the life I have had because of Matt is so much better than I could have ever dreamed, He has taught me so much about unconditional love, caring, faith and happiness.

I will post pictures of Matt as a baby soon.

Why Dreams and White Picket Fences

This blog is the story of a mother and the dreams she has. Some have come true and some are still in the works.

My story..

I was married at 16, had my first child at 17. This child a son, was special in many ways. His name is Matt (he is now 27) and Matt has Down Syndrome. When I first found out I was shocked and was in denial. When the tests came back and it was positive, I was a little lost. Thank goodness I had my mom close and we together gathered all the information we could find. At the time there wasn't an internet to go to and find things out. We went to the library and the information was very old and outdated. So begins my journey.

That was 27 years ago and I thank God everyday for the life I have had because of being Matt's mom.

After Matt came Michael, Ashley, Rebecca and Noah.

This blog is about our life now, the non-profit I founded called Abilities Richmond and the Art program we are beginning at Abilities I am calling The White Picket Fence.