Clarification and High Expectations......

I realized after posting my last entry, that people who are new to my blog, may misinterpret my "expectations" for Ryan, so I wanted to clear some things up. I would hate for my words to be misconstrued - we've always been nothing but honored and proud to have Ryan as our son!
The easiest way to do that is probably just linking older blog posts I've written.

Before I begin this little walk down memory lane, I feel I need to clarify something though. From the start, we were led to believe by doctors and other trained professionals we spoke with, that Ryan would never be able to accomplish much in his life.

Even back then, when I was petrified of what the future might hold, I was not willing to accept that. Who the hell were "they" to tell me what my kid would or wouldn't be able to do?! I've always believed in my heart that Ryan can and will accomplish anything he sets his mind to, and we've always helped him believe that to be true. We never lowered our dreams and hopes for him based on his number of chromosomes.

So when I talk in posts about my "low expectations" of what I thought life would be like, it's being said sarcastically, because of those "low expectations" fears that were instilled in us at the beginning. I'm so glad that my amazing son has proven those so-called bastards "professionals" wrong! :)

The day we were told that Ryan most likely would be born with Down Syndrome was a horrible day. The way the news was delivered to us and the information we were given was awful! I talked a little bit about it here:
http://nowimamom.blogspot.com/2009/10/spelling-test.html
and a lot more here:
http://nowimamom.blogspot.com/2008/03/happy-world-down-syndrome-day.html

Ryan's early years were somewhat difficult for us to deal with because of his many delays. It wasn't always easy to believe back then that he would grow up to be as awesome and amazing as he is! There were many times that the old fears would creep back into my mind:
http://nowimamom.blogspot.com/2009/01/basketball-season.html

There have been times where I've worried about others perceptions of Ryan, but then soon realized that I don't really give a rats ass about what anyone else thinks:
http://nowimamom.blogspot.com/2007/07/lifes-beach-so-just-roll-with-it.html

And there are some people I'm sure, who probably think my expectations for him are too high - but then he proves those doubters wrong too! ;)
http://nowimamom.blogspot.com/2007/09/so-long-summer.html

We were led to believe that Ryan would most likely only associate with and relate to other kids with DS - man, what a crock of $hit THAT was!
http://nowimamom.blogspot.com/2008/04/little-ditty-about-jack-and-ryan.html
Ryan and Jack continue their friendship to this day! :)

So, the reason I started this blog in the first place, was in the hopes of helping other new families faced with this diagnosis, see that life with a child with DS was NOT all doom and gloom:
http://nowimamom.blogspot.com/2008/04/why-i-blog.html

Most of my posts throughout the years have been just showing our typical day to day NORMAL lives with our 3 beautiful children, and will continue to reflect that in future posts. Nothing about this life with Ryan is anything like we were led to believe. I could never have known that when he was born, so that's why I feel so strongly about showing the world how wonderful life, with a child who just happens to have Down Syndrome, could be via this blog! Who knew?! I sure didn't but certainly do now! ;) We are so proud of this kid!

But I will admit, that for some bizarre reason, I do feel a little sad each year around his birthday. Not his actual birthday, that day we proudly celebrate the beautiful day this perfect little boy was born. I think I've finally figured out the reason I feel sad is because it's the anniversary of that horrible day! I think the sadness is from reliving the day we were delivered that cold hearted, outdated, frightful news that skewed our perception of him for the first couple of years of his life. How unfair that was to all of us.
http://nowimamom.blogspot.com/2008/05/happy-birthday-ryan.html

If anyone has made it this far and is still reading this long ass post (lol) I'd like to end with a favorite quote that I truly believe in with all my heart!
"The doors we open and close each day decide the lives we live" - Flora Whittemore

So, just to reiterate, I've always had high expectations for Ryan! We couldn't be prouder of the young man he is! We've put up with alot of people and their low expectations of him through the years, and we are making lots of progress, so we continue fighting the good fight and proving that doctor wrong!

Let's keep opening as many doors as possible. Keeping the doors closed will limit our chances of reaching our goals. God help anyone who tries to close the door on my Ryan! Please don't ever let anyone lead you to believe that your child is incapable of something!
Always reach for the stars! (or at least the moonshine! ;)
http://nowimamom.blogspot.com/2008/07/baseball-and-moonshine.html