1/20
I said goodbye to my career almost a quarter century ago.
Today, I helped someone begin theirs.
Today, I helped someone begin theirs.
07:29 PM - May 31, 2023
2/20
Why give up a successful career when I was young and in the prime years of earning?
The simple answer is: life happened.
The simple answer is: life happened.
07:30 PM - May 31, 2023
3/20
My first child was born with Trisomy 21. Down syndrome is a triplicate of the 21st chromosome.
That extra chromosome can and often does affect everything in the lives of people with Down syndrome.
That extra chromosome can and often does affect everything in the lives of people with Down syndrome.
07:31 PM - May 31, 2023
4/20
My son was the first person I ever met with Down syndrome.
In those days, you were still advised to leave the raising of people with intellectual disabilities to an institution. Therefore, I never had the opportunity to meet anyone who looked like my son before he was born.
In those days, you were still advised to leave the raising of people with intellectual disabilities to an institution. Therefore, I never had the opportunity to meet anyone who looked like my son before he was born.
07:32 PM - May 31, 2023
5/20
When we were told he might have Down syndrome, we had to go to a library to look it up. (Pre-iPhone days)
The books weren’t pleasant. They were terrifying.
I decided it wasn’t the kind of literature I was interested in reading.
The books weren’t pleasant. They were terrifying.
I decided it wasn’t the kind of literature I was interested in reading.
07:33 PM - May 31, 2023
6/20
I can’t tell you what a great honour it’s been to parent my son.
All the best lessons in my life have come from him.
It hasn’t been a cakewalk. But it’s been an incredible adventure I’d embark upon again if I could.
All the best lessons in my life have come from him.
It hasn’t been a cakewalk. But it’s been an incredible adventure I’d embark upon again if I could.
07:34 PM - May 31, 2023
7/20
There has been illness. There has been struggle. There has been sadness.
Mostly, there has been joy. There has been laughter. There has been great kindness and great love.
Mostly, there has been joy. There has been laughter. There has been great kindness and great love.
07:34 PM - May 31, 2023
8/20
My son worked at a coop at a National pizza chain throughout his years at high school.
He had a wonderful community there and was offered the opportunity to continue in a paid position when he graduated.
He was so excited!
He had a wonderful community there and was offered the opportunity to continue in a paid position when he graduated.
He was so excited!
07:35 PM - May 31, 2023
9/20
Then came Covid.
All the people went home.
His managers lost their jobs.
He was 14 times more likely to die from Covid than a senior citizen.
He had to stay home.
His life went from very big to very small.
He was a trooper, though.
All the people went home.
His managers lost their jobs.
He was 14 times more likely to die from Covid than a senior citizen.
He had to stay home.
His life went from very big to very small.
He was a trooper, though.
07:35 PM - May 31, 2023
10/20
Slowly, a new approach to being in the world took hold.
He learned to wear a mask.
He learned to be conscious of keeping healthy.
He blew us away with his ability to just manage it all.
Always with a smile.
He learned to wear a mask.
He learned to be conscious of keeping healthy.
He blew us away with his ability to just manage it all.
Always with a smile.
07:36 PM - May 31, 2023
11/20
Every day he asked to go to work.
Every day I broke his heart.
To be clear: companies aren’t banging on the door, eager to hire people with any sort of disability, let alone one that is visible and affects your intellect.
Every day I broke his heart.
To be clear: companies aren’t banging on the door, eager to hire people with any sort of disability, let alone one that is visible and affects your intellect.
07:37 PM - May 31, 2023
12/20
I promised we’d find a job.
I was prepared to help deliver pizzas so he could feel he had purpose.
This is a young man who has a large community of typically developing friends.
They all have jobs.
I was prepared to help deliver pizzas so he could feel he had purpose.
This is a young man who has a large community of typically developing friends.
They all have jobs.
07:37 PM - May 31, 2023
13/20
One day I saw an ad for a small contract position with a company that provides pharmacy and physician education via posters in pharmacies and medical offices.
The position was for someone to change out the educational material at a specific time each quarter.
The position was for someone to change out the educational material at a specific time each quarter.
07:38 PM - May 31, 2023
14/20
I took a chance and applied for my son, along with a covering letter explaining who he is, and that I would be with him as his job coach and driver.
I was prepared to not hear back.
I was prepared to not hear back.
07:38 PM - May 31, 2023
15/20
Some might say I’m persistent.
I learned that from my son.
I could never convey the amount of persistence he’s had to have to do literally anything.
Walk, talk, eat…you name it. Everything was difficult.
So I was prepared to be persistent.
I learned that from my son.
I could never convey the amount of persistence he’s had to have to do literally anything.
Walk, talk, eat…you name it. Everything was difficult.
So I was prepared to be persistent.
07:39 PM - May 31, 2023
16/20
An hour after I applied for the job, I received a call from the hiring manager.
He was extremely happy I had reached out.
He had an uncle with Down syndrome.
He offered my son the job on the spot.
He had already spoken with the president and checked my experience.
He was extremely happy I had reached out.
He had an uncle with Down syndrome.
He offered my son the job on the spot.
He had already spoken with the president and checked my experience.
07:40 PM - May 31, 2023
17/20
You could have knocked me over with a feather.
My son has his first paying job.
He attended his first Zoom meeting, where the president welcomed him (& I) to the company.
He has a briefcase (which he is extremely proud of!).
My son has his first paying job.
He attended his first Zoom meeting, where the president welcomed him (& I) to the company.
He has a briefcase (which he is extremely proud of!).
07:40 PM - May 31, 2023
18/20
Today, we went to work for the first time.
It was awesome.
He was brilliant.
I was proud and excited.
The accounts we went to were all a little surprised at first, but very kind and welcoming.
He loved it.
And so did I.
It was awesome.
He was brilliant.
I was proud and excited.
The accounts we went to were all a little surprised at first, but very kind and welcoming.
He loved it.
And so did I.
07:41 PM - May 31, 2023
19/20
I gave up my career almost a quarter century ago.
I’ve missed it every day.
Today, I was reminded of how lucky I am to have been able to give up my career to parent a really cool guy.
Today I got to help him begin his career.
What an adventure!
Embrace the adventures.
Love,
April 💛
I’ve missed it every day.
Today, I was reminded of how lucky I am to have been able to give up my career to parent a really cool guy.
Today I got to help him begin his career.
What an adventure!
Embrace the adventures.
Love,
April 💛
07:43 PM - May 31, 2023
20/20
07:43 PM - May 31, 2023
In response to April Sparkles.
I am so happy this thread showed up again tonight! What an amazing journey for you both!. I share the untold parts of the story of parenting a differently abled child. I would not change one moment of our journey to learn how to help him become the man he is today. Thanks for sharing your story! ❤️
11:37 PM - Nov 07, 2023
In response to April Sparkles.
I missed this thread when you first spouted it. I’m glad I got to read it today. It is a beautiful story. My heart is full and I’m grabbing the Kleenex. ❤️
Thanks for being so inspiring.
Thanks for being so inspiring.
06:17 PM - Oct 03, 2023
In response to Pamela.
What a lovely comment to see first thing today. Thank you!
I have to admit, my life is an amazing adventure, in large part due to my son. 💛
I have to admit, my life is an amazing adventure, in large part due to my son. 💛
08:03 AM - Oct 04, 2023
In response to Craig Tyler.
You’re very welcome!
Thank you for reading it and commenting.
Love,
April 💛
Thank you for reading it and commenting.
Love,
April 💛
07:44 AM - Sep 03, 2023
In response to April Sparkles.
Lovely story. I've got to say, my heart was in my mouth as I started reading the middle section - I was worried which way the story was going to turn.
So glad that things are looking brighter.
All the best in the Thread Challenge.
So glad that things are looking brighter.
All the best in the Thread Challenge.
10:59 PM - Jun 04, 2023
In response to Gabe McGrath.
Thank you, Gabe!
I appreciate your kind comments. He continues to be excited about work and the people we’ve encountered have all been very supportive.
Love,
April 💛
I appreciate your kind comments. He continues to be excited about work and the people we’ve encountered have all been very supportive.
Love,
April 💛
11:05 PM - Jun 04, 2023
In response to April Sparkles.
"Thank You!", for sharing this inspiring story from yours and your son's journey. Purpose. It's what a Life craving fulfillment seeks, needs and thrives on. Your focus on your purpose - defined on your terms - helped gift your son his own. Congratulations to you both & Brava, April! 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾
09:47 PM - Jun 01, 2023
In response to April Sparkles.
Such a wonderful thread. Congrats to you and to your son!
I have a 5 year old with a deletion on his 13th chromosome. Challenges abound, but it has taught me to celebrate things I might otherwise have taken for granted.
I have a 5 year old with a deletion on his 13th chromosome. Challenges abound, but it has taught me to celebrate things I might otherwise have taken for granted.
09:46 PM - Jun 01, 2023
In response to April Sparkles.
What an amazing 🧵 thank you for sharing your story with us 😍🥰
09:32 PM - Jun 01, 2023
In response to April Sparkles.
Congratulations! Please make sure to tell your son that your Spoutible friends are cheering him on.
03:03 AM - Jun 01, 2023
In response to April Sparkles.
Thank you for sharing your son with all of us, April, and for these stories of your life. You're a wonderful person. Happy you're here.
10:34 PM - May 31, 2023
In response to April Sparkles.
If there was ever any doubt before, it's all gone now, as you are an extraordinary person!
It seems it is genetic; as you've said, your mom was a doll & your son sounds equally impressive!
What an honor it is to know you, and thank you for sharing such an incredible life story.
It seems it is genetic; as you've said, your mom was a doll & your son sounds equally impressive!
What an honor it is to know you, and thank you for sharing such an incredible life story.
09:57 PM - May 31, 2023
In response to Ramsey, Queen of Popcorn®.
Thank you!
I feel like this is a fairly average story in the disability community.
Extraordinary people are common amongst that group.
I’m reminded there are stories of incredible sacrifice and hardiness around every corner.
Thank you especially for remembering my Mom.
💛🥰
I feel like this is a fairly average story in the disability community.
Extraordinary people are common amongst that group.
I’m reminded there are stories of incredible sacrifice and hardiness around every corner.
Thank you especially for remembering my Mom.
💛🥰
10:12 PM - May 31, 2023
In response to April Sparkles.
Thank you for sharing your story, April. I loved it. Your son sounds awesome!
09:11 PM - May 31, 2023
Only followers of this user (researchergirl) can see their posts
In response to Anne NotOfCleves.
Thank you so much for these kind words of encouragement.
He’s a very happy young man this evening.
Love,
April 💛
He’s a very happy young man this evening.
Love,
April 💛
10:40 PM - May 31, 2023
In response to April Sparkles.
Great thread! I also have an adult child w/ an intellectual disability, & physical disabilities/uses a wheelchair. Our 2nd child also has disabilities but very different (high functioning Autism, really bright in Physics/Math/Literature). It's a joy! I learned so much from both, and still do!
08:48 PM - May 31, 2023
In response to K Ray.
It’s an entirely different education, isn’t it? Exhausting and a little scary, wrapped up with moments of overwhelming joy and pride for the simplest things.
Love,
April 💛
Love,
April 💛
09:01 PM - May 31, 2023
In response to April Sparkles.
I completely understand the joy and blessings. I grew up with a great uncle who had Downs Syndrome. My favorite person in the world !
08:11 PM - May 31, 2023
In response to April Sparkles.
This is an inspiring and beautiful story. Thank you for sharing.
07:52 PM - May 31, 2023
In response to Angie is Supercalifragilistic….
Thank you for reading it and for commenting.
Love,
April 💛
Love,
April 💛
08:42 PM - May 31, 2023
In response to April Sparkles.
The story of a great mom! Congrats to you and your son! ❤️
07:50 PM - May 31, 2023
In response to Cindy.
Determined mom? Definitely!
Great? Probably average.
Most Moms I know would do anything for their kids.
Most Dads, too.
Love,
April 💛
Great? Probably average.
Most Moms I know would do anything for their kids.
Most Dads, too.
Love,
April 💛
08:45 PM - May 31, 2023
In response to April Sparkles.
This is lovely. Thank you for sharing it with us. 🥰
07:40 PM - May 31, 2023
