World Down Syndrome Day (#WDSD21) is Thursday, March 21. It is a day recognized by the UN, countries, and organizations around the world where we celebrate the lives of individuals with Down syndrome. We also try to raise awareness and […]
Continue reading »Author: sassysoutherngal
Happy 24th Birthday Rachel!
Dear Rachel, How are you 24? Wasn’t it only yesterday that you announced your arrival with a loud scream and those precious little hands in the air? Those blue eyes had me from the start. For many years, one of […]
Continue reading »Employment: A Place of Belonging
Last year during National Down Syndrome Awareness Month and National Disability Employment Awareness Month, I shared “My Real Thoughts About Adult Life” in what became one of my most popular blogs ever. Rachel had just gone to work at a […]
Continue reading »Auditions: Paralyzed by Fear
I’m reviving an old blog, Auditions: Paralyzed by Fear. Originally written in 2011, I talk about how Rachel became involved in theatre and her first audition paved the way for me to overcome my own fears. During National Down Syndrome […]
Continue reading »23 Years Ago – No Ordinary Day
Yesterday was World Cancer Day. My husband Jonathan is almost 23 years cancer free. He had a colorectal tumor removed 23 years ago yesterday. We are blessed. Twenty-three years ago today, our world changed forever when we learned our unborn […]
Continue reading »Rachel’s Real Thoughts on Adult Life
A few weeks back I wrote a blog about my real feelings and thoughts about adult life. Almost 1,000 hits in two days. That’s a big number for me. I also had a plethora of Facebook comments, and many of […]
Continue reading »My Real Thoughts On Adult Life
This blog has been hard for me to write. Almost didn’t write it. Emotional. But here we go. Rachel just got a job at a local grocery store chain. She is a courtesy clerk which is just a fancy name […]
Continue reading »Celebrating Rachel – Number 22
Today, Rachel turns 22. The week of her birthday, I usually find myself reflecting a lot on years gone by. We have had some standout birthday bashes to celebrate this girl. From ladybug, Veggie Tales, Elmo, Hannah Montana, Build-a-Bear, Pump-it-Up, […]
Continue reading »Plans Change: Keep Swimming
Rachel graduated from Project SEARCH* Friday night. It was a lovely celebration. She was very proud. The other graduates, all of the employees, and family members were proud. We were and are super proud of Rachel. Still, this wasn’t Rachel’s […]
Continue reading »Celebrating Ten Years of TheSassySouthernGal – My First Blog
Ten years ago yesterday, I launched my blog with this piece, “Great Women of My Life.” Here’s to celebrating Mother’s Day and ten years of TheSassySouthernGal. May 8, 2011 Jonathan has been wanting me to do a blog for several years. Most importantly, […]
Continue reading »