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.
No questions - just a shout-out to your son to say congratulations on his job (and of course, way to go, Mama Sparkles 💗)!!
08:56 AM - Nov 30, 2023
In response to April Sparkles.
Oh April! So glad to see this thread on an encore share.
You are awesomeness on a stick! (the ‘on a stick’)some goofy expression from my daughter!
Thank the Heavens your son was given to you♥️♥️♥️
PS my husband is a retired voc rehab counselor. I will share this with him as we all need more of this
You are awesomeness on a stick! (the ‘on a stick’)some goofy expression from my daughter!
Thank the Heavens your son was given to you♥️♥️♥️
PS my husband is a retired voc rehab counselor. I will share this with him as we all need more of this
08:11 AM - Nov 30, 2023
In response to April Sparkles.
I love this so much. My nephew has Downs and is my best bud. My friends uncle also had Downs and used to hang with me at the barn. I'm so happy for your son and you as well. Congratulations and massive hugs!
09:53 PM - Nov 29, 2023
In response to Margo Green.
Thank you, Margo!
We have enjoyed this job. He’s gotten very independent with it. The accounts we go to are all excited to see him each time we show up.
I hope your nephew enjoys good health and a vibrant life.
Are you close by to him?
Love,
April 💛
We have enjoyed this job. He’s gotten very independent with it. The accounts we go to are all excited to see him each time we show up.
I hope your nephew enjoys good health and a vibrant life.
Are you close by to him?
Love,
April 💛
07:21 AM - Nov 30, 2023
In response to April Sparkles.
This is so awesome, April. I'm very happy for you and your son. ❤️
01:23 AM - Sep 02, 2023
In response to April Sparkles.
April,
Everyday we see your kindness and sincerity on Spoutible. You are an amazing mom to an amazing son. What a lovely and inspiring story. Thank you so much for sharing it!💛💛
Everyday we see your kindness and sincerity on Spoutible. You are an amazing mom to an amazing son. What a lovely and inspiring story. Thank you so much for sharing it!💛💛
11:43 PM - Sep 01, 2023
(Edited)
In response to April Sparkles.
That is about the most loving thing I have ever read. Thank you for sharing your son's (and your) journey with us.
11:15 PM - Sep 01, 2023
In response to April Sparkles.
I missed this 1st time around. What a lovely thread you shared. I was involved in a relationship with a man with a down syndrome daughter. We sadly broke up due to long distance. But his daughter and I shared a strong connection. He too made many sacrifices but the love & purpose she gave to him ❤️
05:38 AM - Jun 04, 2023
Only followers of this user (BanBillionaires) can see their posts
In response to April Sparkles.
What an amazing young man you've raised!
Sounds as determined as his Mama!
I love your stories! Thanks for sharing them with us 😊
Sounds as determined as his Mama!
I love your stories! Thanks for sharing them with us 😊
09:41 PM - Jun 01, 2023
In response to April Sparkles.
April, I’ve told you before how truly beautiful you are. You’re just this amazing soul that spreads love and joy to others. Especially when they are in need of it.
You tell your sweet, wonderful son best wishes on his new journey! He’s already got the most loving, “assistant “ ever! 💛💛
Luv U💛
You tell your sweet, wonderful son best wishes on his new journey! He’s already got the most loving, “assistant “ ever! 💛💛
Luv U💛
10:57 PM - May 31, 2023
In response to April Sparkles.
Just big hugs to you and your son from me. Much love to you both.
10:23 PM - May 31, 2023
In response to Carla Reid + Chilla.
Thank you Carla!
Hugs back. Lots of hugs.
Love,
April 💛
Hugs back. Lots of hugs.
Love,
April 💛
10:26 PM - May 31, 2023
In response to April Sparkles.
I love this story ❤️ Thank you for sharing it. Congratulations to you and your son!
09:11 PM - May 31, 2023
In response to April Sparkles.
What a beautiful story, April. I am sure if your son was asked who his hero is, he would answer my mom.
Best of luck to your son in his new position. Somehow I just know he will shine. 💜
Best of luck to your son in his new position. Somehow I just know he will shine. 💜
08:58 PM - May 31, 2023
In response to April Sparkles.
I said my wife was your biggest fan but now I am. No more trash talk ever. (But no raisins ever either.) Hug your son for me.
08:54 PM - May 31, 2023
In response to April Sparkles.
I don't know why it's raining in my room, but it is. 😭 Thanks for sharing. 🥰
08:53 PM - May 31, 2023
In response to Timara (she/her).
Oh dear! It’s meant to be happy!!
Love,
April 💛
Love,
April 💛
10:19 PM - May 31, 2023
In response to April Sparkles.
This spout was removed because the account associated with it was suspended.
08:48 PM - May 31, 2023
In response to April Sparkles.
Okay, how do I get all this sand out of my eyes? All of a sudden they got all watery.
08:29 PM - May 31, 2023
In response to April Sparkles.
Wonderful story, April. The folks I worry about tho can't afford to leave their jobs. They need the income for family to survive or for health insurance to cover all the added therapies. But glad it all worked out for you. and your son. Keep us posted on the job.
07:59 PM - May 31, 2023
In response to April Sparkles.
Fantastic!! Best of luck to you and your son! He's a lucky guy, having a mom like you.
07:52 PM - May 31, 2023
