Every month I get to go to see Dr. Parsons the Chiropractor who has been a big help with my back pain and fixing my hips so they’re not turned out of place. My massage therapist Amy was the one who told us about Doctor Parson’s! He has used a tool to help me feel better. Thanks so much Amy you have super helpful thoughts about me.

• 

One of the Sunday afternoons we had a nice meal. We had Caesar salad and and cheesy taco pasta which was very yummy! I could help my mom cook dinner!

• 

I have been enjoying reading a new book called the Incredible Journey. It is about dogs in the wild.

I got some new Colouring books with flowers and leaves🍁

I colored a bird house purple and pink this afternoon.

I made a birthday card for Victoria which was October 15th. Victoria is Teresas… mom! Here is Victoria with her card I sent her!

Kat came home with the artwork and some posters that I made at Centra Cam so I decided to do an art wall in my room! I love how it turned out!

Thanksgiving weekend started reading books from Teresa, then followed with a fall walk around the lake with Kat, Becca and Janelle. When we got home we all had a warm drink. This is my favourite time of year! When the leaves are changing colour. The lake looked so beautiful this afternoon.

• 

• 

Alex did my hair for the thanksgiving dinner with my family this morning.

Our family thanksgiving dinner with Joel and Ashley. We carved pumpkins and then we had Roasted chicken, stuffing, cranberries, beets, salad, potatoes, gravy, sweet potato casserole. The dessert was vanilla pudding with chocolate on top and the crust is crackers! Very yummy and yummy food! I helped make the stuffing and sweet potato casserole.

We really enjoyed the afternoon.

Everyone is healthy and happy with their pumpkins. I think it’s going to be a new tradition of the thanksgiving holiday!

My brother Joel and I did hand over hand to carve the pumpkin 🎃.  I can’t wait for Christmas to decorate the sugar cookies and short bread cookies.  Just a few more months to wait…. what did you do to celebrate thanksgiving?!

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

October 2020 has been enjoyable and everything’s been super duper special and a busy season!  What did your October look like?

Every month we have our fingernails painted by the famous Nicky. This time I got pumpkins and I love them!

• 

• 

Colouring with new markers this afternoon

The weekend after thanksgiving we had the 1st snow fall of the season and we decorated the house for Halloween.  We got some spooky signs for our bedroom doors, a table cloth and some pumpkins that light up the house.

Decorating the house for Halloween and Christmas, I like to tell my staff what things go where and what looks good. For the window we are putting orange cob webs with black spiders.

The house is now ready for Halloween and I like what my staff did for me!

• 

• 

• 

Once I stopped going to work every day, everyone was worried I would be super bored but that’s not really the challenge at all, I’m enjoying the free time and I can colour. I colour anything I get my hands on! Butterflies, animals, you name it. I love to colour.

Playing Qwirkle with my mom, and my mom won the game

My friend Shaina and her husband Rockie had a baby boy named Asher! I made her a congratulations card with a Canada hoodie and pants for Asher! I also got his grandma Lisa a mug!

• 

• 

I had a wonderful time carving pumpkins with my roommates and staff to celebrate Halloween 🎃 How did you celebrate your Halloween?

Princess Theresa and Icy Princess Kelsey!

Hand over hand carving pumpkins and it’s a butterfly 🦋

• 

• 

• 

• 

We had a dance party with Brett young in the background on YouTube videos.

I painted a Let it snow sign at my parent’s house and even I got the flu shot. So, hears hoping that we ALL stay healthy and won’t get the flu!

• 

• 

I hope you really enjoyed my blog!

I have been doing a lot of homemade birthday presents for my whole family.

My oldest brother Joel wanted a painting done of a design of his own something to do with golfing.

Ashley wanted a painting of a river, mountain, trees and grass.

My dad wanted a guitar player Stevie Ray Vaughn.

My mom gave me 3 pictures to choose from and I made a picture of a beautiful sunset and flowers.

We couldn’t celebrate our birthdays because of COVID during the spring and summer birthdays. Now that I can go home to visit, we had a big birthday party last weekend.

Every fall we do family pictures in the backyard.

I got some bath salts, body wash and body cream from my brother Joel and Ashley. We ordered Skyway for supper and we had a Tuxedo cake from Costco! It was a very amazing day! I quite enjoyed myself with my family.

I have been enjoying reading sometimes in the afternoons and I just finished the book called Charlotte’s Web.

Once a month I get a massage from Amy! My favourite part is that she does my back! Amy just moved into a new building by A&W and it’s even more wheelchair friendly and accessible for me to get in. I would say everyone else should have a massage from Amy. She’s a super friendly and helpful person and I look forward to seeing her every month. Thanks so much!

This afternoon I made a birthday card for my Auntie Gail birthday!

Mary, Craig and I went walking downtown and we went to Jubilee Park. It’s hard for me get into the stores downtown with steps! Which makes it difficult for me to go shopping with my staff.

Friday afternoon and evening I was hanging out with my Mom and Dad. We went shopping and did some baking and cooking!

For supper we cooked popcorn chicken, potatoes, salad and French fries! We baked a zucchini chocolate cake with chocolate icing.

We went to Ricki’s shopping for Fall clothes and I got new shoes from Walmart! We also took my ring to get fixed!

This was my 1st shopping trip since COVID-19 so, it was very nice to get out of the house and get to the mall and Walmart! The shoes weren’t too bad, sometimes I have trouble getting shoes to fit over the braces but it wasn’t too bad today!

Saturday afternoon I spent my time colouring a tree with pineapples and lions with monkeys in the tree!

Sunday afternoon we put my summer clothes away and then we got winter and fall clothes in my closet.

My Auntie Gail got her birthday card from me today she facetimed me to tell me she loves it so much!

Becca and Kat and I walked in the valley with ! It was a beautiful day to walking in the valley with my friends!

On Sunday my Dad picked up A&W and Dairy Queen. My very 1st time getting a mushroom burger and fries. It was awesome!

I also had a Peanut Butter Reese cup blizzard for dessert and it’s a super duper special yummy dessert!

Monday was laundry day so here I am putting loads of laundry in the washer!

Monday I used my walker and did some laps around the house.

Tuesday evening we watched Little People Big World! We love the learning Chanel on TV.

I have been enjoying reading Stuart Little on Tuesday afternoon and it’s a wonderful book!

Anything interesting you want to tell me about your Fall so far?

My friend Melanie has Immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP). I wanted to learn more about it so I decided I would do some research on the internet and also and interview with Mel. I hope you learn something from this too.

I found this information on the internet:

Immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) is a bleeding disorder in which the immune system destroys platelets, which are necessary for normal blood clotting. People with the disease have too few platelets in the blood.

Causes

ITP occurs when certain immune system cells produce antibodies against platelets. Platelets help your blood clot by clumping together to plug small holes in damaged blood vessels.

The antibodies attach to the platelets. The body destroys the platelets that carry the antibodies.

In children, the disease sometimes follows a viral infection. In adults, it is more often a long-term (chronic) disease and can occur after a viral infection, with use of certain drugs, during pregnancy, or as part of an immune disorder.

ITP affects women more often than men. It is more common in children than adults. In children, the disease affects boys and girls equally.

Here is my interview with Mel:

Kelsey: What was your first sign of getting a blood issue and what is it called?

Mel: I was diagnosed with Hashimotos Thyroiditis on my 20th birthday. My immune system had made my thyroid essentially non-functioning. I had significant bleeding, and more blood work found that my platelets were dangerously low. After unsuccessful blood/platelet transfusions and antibody infusions, I was also diagnosed with ITP – Immune Thrombocytopenia Purpura.

Kelsey: Where were you when it happened?

Mel: When I was first diagnosed I was living in Camrose with my sister in my third year of University at Augustana. When I relapsed a few years later, I was living at a L’Arche community in Edmonton. I resigned from that job so that I could move home for treatment. I spent time in St. Mary’s Hospital and the University of Alberta Hospital. Then a quick stint at the Mazankowski Heart Institute.

Kelsey: What was your family’s reaction when you were in the hospital?

Mel: My family was pretty worried for me, my Dad especially. I’ll never forget him crying to my hematologist, begging him to fix me. Now that I am a parent, I can understand the agony of wanting desperately to take your child’s place, and how helpless that feeling is. My family was incredibly supportive and I am indebted to their concern for my well-being – then and now.

Kelsey: If someone was going into the same problems what would you say, do you have any tips to give them?

Mel: I would say take things one day at a time. Medical conditions can be a lot of trial and error, and surprisingly a lot of “best guesses.” You’re not always going to get the quick answers you want and it can be incredibly frustrating. It may require more patience and acceptance of some unknowns.

Try and stay as connected with your body as you can. I had a lot of “talks” with my body that helped me to process what was going on and kept me communicating with myself – this was usually done on a long walk or in the bath.

Kelsey: What’s something positive about having your blood issues?

Mel: ITP taught me that it’s okay to be scared, but to never let your fear be bigger than your faith. Instead of my faith feeling tested, I felt it stretch and deepen as I spent more time in prayer and understood the value of telling others that you are holding them in prayer. I’ve never felt more held and supported by something so much bigger than I could ever comprehend.

Kelsey: What would you do if you got this again, what would you do differently?

Mel: I would have kept a log or journal. At the time I thoughtI would remember everything, but our memories can be fickle historians.

If my ITP relapses I think I’m kind of screwed because taking my spleen out was a last ditch effort, so we just won’t consider that one haha.

Kelsey: What was the hardest things to give up when you got sick?

Mel: Because I had low platelets, I was at high risk of spontaneous internal and external bleeding. I was told not to floss or shave my legs so my hygiene took a bit of downturn. But the hardest thing to give up was sense of control. I had to change a lot of plans, and then put plans on hold. Sort of like a pandemic.

Kelsey: What’s is the hardest thing to go through with a blood sickness?

Mel: The hardest thing was the unknown. I remember having trouble falling asleep one night because I wasn’t sure I was going to wake up the next day. I also always had the taste of blood in my mouth when my platelets were low due to blood blisters lining my mucous membranes, and that was not pleasant. To this day I can’t stand the taste of blood.

Kelsey: What’s makes you a better person because of your blood sickness?

Mel: I have an appreciation for what it’s like being a patient and how difficult it can be to navigate our health care system. I was young with all of my faculties, and yet still had to strongly advocate for myself at times. It also gave me perspective, and a shift to what really matters in life.

Kelsey: Do people see you differently today than you were before?

Mel: I’m not sure. I remember at the time, people would ask me how I was doing, when really I think they just wanted to make sure I would be “okay” and that’s it, especially when you don’t know what information people were given.

Kelsey: Where’s your favourite place in the world? Where have you travelled?

Mel: Honestly my favourite place in the world is at home. I’m very much a homebody, but I’ve traveled to Italy, Greece, and Mexico, and a few places in the USA. Not having a spleen anymore limits where I can travel to, but my next destination of choice would be New York City.

Kelsey: How was growing up and going to school?

Mel: I grew up on a farm outside of Camrose with my parents, sister and brother (Kelsey’s true love). I did ballet for many years and was active in our church. I went to Sifton School until Grade 9 when I started going to CCHS. I really enjoyed school and liked getting involved in various extra-curricular activities and leadership opportunities.

Kelsey: Did you make friends easy?

Mel: I did make friends relatively easy. I like to make people laugh and feel comfortable.

Kelsey: How do you like being a RN?

Mel: I love being an RN. My ITP journey showed me that a good nurse and a bad nurse can really stick with you, and I wanted to be a positive part of other peoples journeys.

Some days I’ll come home from work exhausted and smelly, but also with a validating assurance that everything that I’ve been through has led me to where I am now.

Kelsey: What is it like living in Edmonton?

Mel: I like living in Edmonton – Mur and I moved here for school and now both work in the city. I could do without the traffic but I also really like living near a Costco.

Kelsey: Where did you meet Murray and tell me about your friendship?

Mel: Murray and I met in high school. I admired the back of his head in Biology lab and it wasn’t until Grade 12 that we spent more time together filming a movie for Drama class. It’s a painfully awkward film, but fun to see how we’ve changed since then. I’m more in love (and friendship) with him than ever before.

Kelsey: Do you think having twins would be different because you got sick?

Mel: Likely only insofar as it gave me a deep gratitude for this life, and having twins gave this life quite a new sparkle– one that I am tremendously grateful for.

Kelsey: What’s it like being a parent with twins?

Mel: Being a parent of twins is pretty cool! You get a lot of attention when you’re out in public. The general population finds twins fascinating, so I’m happy to answer questions and hear about a stranger’s-cousin’s-neighbor’s-dog sitter who also has twins. It’s also really hard because it’s a lot of extra work and you may require more support.

Kelsey: What’s the hardest thing to raise twins?

Mel: For me, the hardest thing about raising twins is the feeling that we have one shot to “get it right”. You’re going through developmental stages at the same time, where as with singletons you’ve learned things from your first child that you can bring to your second, and so on. It’s a strange pressure that I try to give myself some grace with.

Kelsey: What’s the best thing to raise twins?

Mel: The best thing about twins is watching their relationship grow and evolve. I love that they will always have each other and share a special bond. While they have their own personalities and certainly squabble, they look after each other and are each other’s best friends.

Kelsey: What did you say when you found out that you were having twins?

Mel: When I found out we were having twins, my first reaction was that I didn’t know how to raise twins – would I raise them as individuals, or honour their special relationship as twins? I like to remind expectant twin parents that twins are siblings born at the same time, and to try their best to not always compare one against the other.

Kelsey: Do you teach a class on raising twins, what are your tips?

Mel: Yes! I’m the Program Director for the Edmonton Twin & Triplet Club. Part of my role is facilitating the Managing Multiples classes. One of my biggest tips is to get involved in the twin community and to make connections with other families with twins. It’s such a unique experience and only people who have twins truly know what it’s like.

Thank you Mel for taking the time to help me educate all of my blog followers! I hope you stay healthy!

Do you have any other ideas of blogs I should do? I would love to hear from you!

The summer holidays are already happening to be ending. The kids are going to be going to school in the fall and I will hopefully get to do the school presentations again in the spring. This week was busy as my Auntie Donna was here visiting with my Mom and Dad. Tuesday morning and Wednesday morning we had ice cap, blueberry muffins and Tim bits. We were outside on the deck visiting with her. I think it’s really good to see her because she lives in Unity SK.

Nicki and I went walking around the lake.

My friend Melissa turned 25, so I made a birthday card and got her iTunes card for her birthday.

Every Tuesday evening we watch Counting on with the Duggar’s family and it’s a good show. The parents Jim Bob and Michelle have a great book called “A Love that Multiplies”. I could almost name the children in their family. Joshua, Jill, Jana, Jessa, Johannah, Joy Ann, Jason, Jon David, Joseph, Josie . Josh’s is married to Anna, they have six kids. Mackynzie, Michael, Markus, Maryella, Mason and Mini. Joseph is married to Karna and they have Grant and Addison. They are going to be having a baby in February. Josiah and Lauren has Bella. I think it’s a happy great book and amazing show.

I got to visit my parents house and then we can go into the pool. My 1st visit at the house since March. I think it’s a very weird feeling that I couldn’t get to my mom’s house since the Covid-19 started. I hope you guys do find happiness and joyful things in my blogs.

This Saturday afternoon I made zucchini chocolate chip loaf and rhubarb cake with my Mom. It was pretty chocolatey goodness. I would recommend it.

My parents and I played Yahtzzee tonight, I got 3 or 4 in a row!!!!

The morning of finding words.

Putting my laundry away today

Nicki and I did some Gel star and seals and red fingernails today

This morning and afternoon I coloured butterflies pictures

Meet my new fish named Blue ]ay.

Theresa and I made get well cards for our friend Mary Ann!!

My Auntie Gail brought me a book full of butterfly cards, this is the 3rd card that I made so far! Thanks auntie Gail, I really enjoyed the book of cards, stickers and Envelopes. It’s butterflies and flowers on them. In the back of the book they have stickers.

Every Friday afternoon I Face Time with Centra Cam and it’s been super duper special to see everyone else and I wish I could be there with them.

This is a painting for someone special! Finally got a birthday present done! One done and one more to get done!

There’s a note for the picture # 1

Happy 26 birthday Ashley. I hope you have a great year ahead with amazing experiences and fabulous memories.
I really enjoying this time with you dating my brother Joel! I hope our birthday party is going to make up for your birthday!

Love Kelsey

Happy birthday 28 birthday Joel. Thanks for your kindness heart and help being my big brother. I hope you have a fabulous year ahead and more amazing experiences and amazing memories with Ashley!!! Thanks for your help with my Cp blog post on what’s it’s like living with a sister who has Cerebral palsy! I hope you have an amazing birthday party today!

Love Kelsey

The painting is a design that Joel and his friend David designed.The Ashley painting is a picture of the mountains and river with some of green trees and green grass!

This morning I was getting ready for my new wheelchair, we had to measure me and my wheelchair. We got a blue bottom and then the side we ordered in my favourite colour RED!!! Around Christmas time I will have my new chair!!!! I’m super duper happy and excited to see it!! The best thing about this is we won’t have to go to Red Deer for seating!!! The side of my seat even has my name on it!

I have introduced you to 2 of my roomates and I would like you to meet another one!

Janelle has been my roommate since I moved in August 2015! Janelle has Cerebral Palsy just like me….but not like me! Just you like you and I are different Janelle and I are different.

Here is a refresher on Cerebral Palsy in case you forgot! I found this information on the Cerebral Palsy Alberta website 🙂

Cerebral Palsy (CP) is a term used to describe a group of conditions affecting body movement and muscle coordination. It is not a disease. Medical dictionaries define CP as a “bilateral, symmetrical, non-progressive paralysis resulting from developmental defects in the brain or from trauma at birth.”

CP can be as mild as just a weakness in one hand, ranging to an almost complete lack of movement. Sometimes the movements of people can be unpredictable, muscles can be stiff or tight, and in some cases people may have shaky movements or tremors.

WHAT ARE THE CAUSES OF CEREBRAL PALSY?

Any damage to the developing brain, whether caused by genetic or developmental disorders, injury or disease, can result in cerebral palsy. The damage to the brain is in the region that controls and coordinates muscular action. Most often it occurs during pregnancy, labour or shortly after birth. Most cases of CP are called congenital cerebral palsy because they are related to the development and child-bearing processes. The condition is not inherited.

Acquired cerebral palsy, usually occurring before two years of age, is less common. It is usually caused by a head injury (motor vehicle accidents, falls, child abuse). CP can also be a result of a brain infection. Cerebral palsy, except in its mildest forms, can be seen in the first 12-18 months of life as it presents itself when children fail to reach movement milestones.

JANELLE’S STORY
•Janelle was born a healthy baby
•When she was 4 weeks old she developed a vitamin K deficiency
•Because of this she has a developmental delay and Cerebral Palsy – QUADRIPLEGIA which affects both arms and legs and can affect muscles in the trunk, mouth, and face

What is vitamin K?

~Vitamin K is a substance in our bodies that helps our blood to clot and stops bleeding.
~All newborn babies have low levels of vitamin K and are therefore are at risk
~Vitamin K is given by One injection just after birth and should protect your baby for many months.
~If babies do develop VKDB, it can cause severe harm, including death or severe brain damage.
~Janelle did receive this shot but her body did not absorb the vitamin k.

HOW CP AFFECTS Janelle and I
• We have to sit in our wheelchairs a lot.
• It is hard to understand me.-Until you get to know me!
• Janelle is unable to use words
• We ride in a special van with a ramp. This means we can never go anywhere together unless we take two vans!
• We eat different than you. We have a feeding tube that goes in our stomach.
• But I can eat once in awhile.
• Janelle is unable to eat by mouth like I can

Janelle likes watching cartoons and music videos with me

I use a walker which helps stretch out my body.

Janelle uses something called a Standing Frame.

The standing frame helps stretch our her body as well.

A typical day for Janelle looks like:

Staff do exercises with Janelle In the morning. In the afternoon she like to watch shows like cartoons and YouTube videos on the tv. She loves pop and Disney music. We get out of our house and then go for walks. She loves her stuffed animals and toys. Janelle is crazy about toys and being with her family and roommates. She always loves her baths and showers every night. I love being her roommate and friend to Janelle.

Here is a picture of Janelle and her family

I hope you learned something I sure did!

Remember “Everyone is Different!”

So, this really reminds me of when I was in school and when, it was summer holidays, spring break and other days that we didn’t have to go to school. Covid-19 hasn’t been really bad, or anything easy, it’s the new normal. I have been learning how to keep myself busy and be more patient. I have been at home since March. I think it was good at the start because I wasn’t feeling the greatest, but I’m feeling better than I was. Maybe it was hard at first to know what to do all day at home. The 1st Friday in March I went to see my friend Theresa and her mom Victoria to celebrate Christmas so I had a bunch of colouring books and word searches. So I learned how to keep myself busy in the afternoons with the colouring books, word search books instead of going to Centra Cam. My mom brought my walker from Centra Cam so, I could use it at home.

I got my calendar full of activities again and since the middle of June I have started doing some activities with the Cerebral Palsy Association in Edmonton. Every Monday afternoon we do yoga class, Tuesday afternoons we have dance class and one Friday afternoon we had karaoke. I’m really enjoying these classes it’s on the app called Zoom.

For Canada day I went to a Canada day convoy concert at the recreation centre with my roommates Craig and Theresa. We got some Goodie bags. It had some pancake mix and some temporary tattoos, Canada flags and an activity book. Becca left the van door open and we were able to listen to the music. Then, I got back from the concert and I coloured some butterfly pictures in my colouring books. In the evening of Canada Day we had a game of Yahtzee with Melissa and Theresa. Craig put music from YouTube on the T.V.

We had My mom’s birthday July 3, I decided to get a pot and some flowers for her birthday. I painted the flower pot a rainbow design and wrote a nice note on the pot. On her actual birthday we sat on my deck and we had smoothies and ice coffee from McDonald’s. During this time of COVID I cannot go home so, when it was time for Singing “Happy Birthday” I Face Timed with the family.

My brother Luke’s birthday was the weekend after mom’s birthday. So, I decided to do a painting for his birthday. I knew that I wasn’t able to be there to celebrate but I didn’t want him to think I forgot about his birthday so I made him a painting of Star Wars Luke Skywalker on an canvas. He loved it. We had to Face Time when it was time for cake. I think when it’s back to normal and we are together we will do a big birthday party with everyone’s birthday. I felt I was a part of their special day.

My friend Teresa is in the hospital with her hip surgery so I made her a homemade card and my mom brought her flowers.

Last weekend, I was able to try out a new wheelchair that I could lean back, my mom has to do paperwork for it today. Do you remember when I was really uncomfortable in my wheelchair and no one could figure it out.?It turns out that I was sitting too long in my wheelchair and I should lay down for a little while during the day. I’m getting a new wheelchair that leans back.

Yes, I’m missing going to Centra Cam this time of year we would have been going on tours. We usually get to go the Wetaskiwin pool, Camp LG Barnes, and the outdoor pool in Forestburg. In the summer months we would have a fun day in the park and outside at Centra Cam. We would be doing drum circle in the gazebo. For fun days we would go to play baseball games and some outdoor activities with everyone. Then the summer was over we would throw out a big party to celebrate.

For my birthday I got a a new blanket for my bedroom (how do you like it)?

The perfect sunshine summer day is when you can sit outside and colour in your colouring books with YouTube playing in the background. It’s been about five years now since we moved here. Its a amazing journey and I’m enjoying every minute, every hour and every second. My favourite thing to do on the weekend would be to sit outside on the deck and colour while hanging out with my roommates and friends.

Becca, Kat and I went to the valley for a walk, one Sunday afternoon, it was pretty good for my power chair but one part was a quiet rough, but overall it was a good walk on a Sunday afternoon with great friends. Now that it’s COVID we have to wear masks and walk 6 feet apart.

Today we had a good visit with grandpa Raymond and Shandy from Ontario. My Grandpa Raymond builds cupboards for people houses and Shandy works at a plant that makes car parts. Every summer they make a road trip out to Alberta. This year there was a family reunion in Lloydminster. With COVID-19 we weren’t able to make the trip . We had a great two hour visit on my deck.

The final project of the weekend was dying my hair red. What’s do you guys think?!

 

We also spent time resting on the deck in the sunshine

Summer 2020 is a different experience that I never really expected before in my life.

My roommate Theresa has Down syndrome and I wanted to learn more about her life. I researched Down Syndrome on the the internet and I interviewed Theresa. 

Here is the interview I hope you enjoy it!

Before I started school presentations Theresa used to do them on Abuse Awareness! How cool is that! We had the same job!

Kelsey: What was your favorite part about your presentations?

Theresa: Talking about my childhood with my parents.

Kelsey: What was your childhood like?

Theresa: I had a big farm with my Mom and Dad, my brother Melvin, and my sister Gloria. We had tons of animals, horses, cows, barn cats, pigs and chickens. We also had a big garden where we grew carrots, potatoes, peas, and squash. My brother and Dad would be out in the field harvesting/working and later around supper, my Mom, sister and I would make supper and bring it out supper to them with a treat.

Kelsey: What was your experience in school with Down syndrome?

Theresa: In school kids would tease me, which made me very sad. I didn’t have any friends except my sister Gloria and my brother Melvin.

Kelsey: What was the hardest thing about Down syndrome when you were young?

Theresa: My mom made my clothes, and my parents drove us to school.

Kelsey: What’s your favorite thing about having Down syndrome?

Theresa: Living with the roommates I have now, I wouldn’t know them if I didn’t have Down syndrome. Also having the bedroom I’ve always wanted.

Kelsey: What’s your favorite memory of your Mom and Dad?

Theresa: With my dad, we would go around to the animals and I would pet the cows, calves, horses/ baby horses. With my Mom we would bake and cook in the kitchen. Gloria and I would sneak treats. We also used to help in the garden, pulling weeds and picking vegetables.

Kelsey: Do you think you have enough support?

Theresa: I do think I have enough support in life, between staff and family.

Kelsey: Who is your favorite movie/music star?

Theresa: Michael Jackson, the best singer, and when he turns into the werewolf that’s the best!

Here is some information I found on the internet about Down syndrome you should read it and educate yourself!

You have probably seen people who have Down syndrome. They have certain physical features, such as a flatter face and upward slanting eyes. They may have medical problems, too, such as heart defects. Kids with Down syndrome usually have trouble learning and are slower to learn how to talk and take care of themselves. But despite their challenges, kids with Down syndrome can go to regular schools, make friends, enjoy life, and get jobs when they’re older. Getting special help early — often when they are just babies and toddlers — can be the key to healthier, happier, more independent lives.

Chromosomes Are the Cause To understand why Down syndrome happens, you need to understand a little about chromosomes. What are chromosomes? They’re thread-like structures within each cell and are made up of genes. Genes provide the information that determines everything about people, from hair color to whether they are girls or boys. Most people have 23 pairs of chromosomes, for a total of 46. But a baby with Down syndrome has an extra chromosome (47 instead of 46) or one chromosome has an extra part. This extra genetic material causes problems with the way their bodies develop.

Health Problems Are Common About half of babies with Down syndrome are born with heart defects, which means their hearts developed differently and don’t work as they should. Usually, these problems can be corrected by surgery. Some babies may have intestinal problems that also require surgery to fix. Kids with Down syndrome are more likely to get infections that affect their lungs and breathing. When they do get infections, they often last longer. They may have eye or ear problems or digestion problems like constipation. Some may develop leukemia, a type of cancer. Each person with Down syndrome is different and may have one, several, or all of these problems.

Kids with Down syndrome tend to grow and develop more slowly than other children do. They may start walking or talking later than other babies. Special help, such as physical therapy and speech therapy, can give kids a boost with their walking and talking skills.

Do a Lot of People Have Down Syndrome? Down syndrome is something a person is born with it. No one gets Down syndrome later in life. It’s one of the most common genetic birth defects (a birth defect is a problem that happens while a baby is still growing inside their mother). Now you know that Down syndrome is caused by a problem with a chromosome. You might already know that we get our chromosomes from our mother and father. Remember the 23 pairs of chromosomes — half are from your mom and half are from your dad. But doctors aren’t sure why this chromosome problem happens to some babies. It’s nothing the mom or dad did before the child was born. Anyone can have a baby with Down syndrome. But the older the mother, the greater the risk. Times Have Changed At one time, most kids with Down syndrome did not live past childhood. Many would often become sick from infections. Others would die from their heart problems or other problems they had at birth.

Today, most of these health problems can be treated and most kids who have it will grow into adulthood. Medicines can help with infections and surgery can correct heart, intestinal, and other problems. If the person gets leukemia, medical treatments can be very successful. Scientists continue to do research in the hope of finding ways to prevent Down syndrome or at least improve the health and lives of people who have it.

What’s Life Like for Kids With Down Syndrome? Many kids with Down syndrome go to regular schools and may attend regular classes. Some need special classes to help them in areas where they have more trouble learning. Their parents work with teachers and others to come up with a plan for the best way for each child to learn. Kids with Down syndrome like their playtime, too. They play sports and participate in activities, such as music lessons or dance classes. Kids with Down syndrome may look different, but they want to be treated the same way all kids want to be treated — with respect, fairness, and friendship. Reviewed by: Mary L. Gavin, MD

You should check out World Down Syndrome Day.. it is always March 21st!

I hope you learned something about Down syndrome… I sure did!

 

For my birthday I woke up to balloons in the living room from my Staff. After breakfast my Mom put a sign on the window that said Happy Birthday Kelsey. In the afternoon I visited with Joel and Ashley. My parents planned a drive by parade to celebrate my birthday. I sat outside under an big umbrella because it was raining and family and friends drove by and honked for me. The Camrose Fire Department came with the fire truck and honked the horn and Lori Larsen from the The Camrose Booster also came and my birthday made it into the newspaper! My grandpa sent flowers from Ontario for my birthday. After the parade I visited with my parents on the deck. It was the most amazing birthday ever. I’ll never forget my 25th birthday!

 

Miss C sent me flowers, chocolate and a birthday cake for my birthday….

For my birthday I got hair dye from Craig and Theresa and dyed my hair red. What do you guys think?

 

Saturday Craig and I played soccer in the yard with our staff. It was super fun and hot!

Sunshine and sunglasses on my deck outside hanging out Saturday afternoon and evening.

On Father’s Day we had Dairy Queen ice cream on the deck at my house and then we went walking around the lake. I got my Dad a greatest father mug and a t- shirt with guitars. We had a great afternoon together.