Em did it.............

[Jackie]

Em just spent the better part of a week alone while Katie and family went to DC. Her driver came and took her places almost every day...but she was on her own much of the time. It was great for Katie because Em was also the pet sitter and apparently did fine with that also.

I asked her about half way through if she was enjoying it ...and she said she was. And...for the first time in a long while...she agreed with me that an apartment might be nice. Even when I said we need to help you find a friend to be a roommate...she didn't disagree!!! So who knows...maybe she IS ready again to think about moving on.

One funny...Katie told me she got Cindy (her drive)r to do a Walmart run with her...apparently she had seen an ad for a new kind of beer on tv and wanted to try it. Just a six pack and there was still some left...so she did not go on a bender. ;D

I would think she might have gotten kinda lonesome with the noise from Katie's absent...but apparently not. Of course with her Ipod, DVD, TV, PC, the animals, and 8 ft Jack Sparrow she might not have felt alone at all.

Jackie

[damarasmom]

That is so cool! Ready to move on her own huh? That is so wonderful...I imagine that is all of our goals for our children as they grow...YEAH!!!

[momofrussell]

AWESOME!!!! I love the beer run...spoken like a true young adult!!! ;D

A.

[Emilysmom]

WTG Emily! I had no doubt that she'd do well. I'm guessing she might have actually enjoyed the peace and quiet for a few days, but will be glad to see Hayden return.

Susan

[ALLISA]

Wow....that is really great !! Have I mentioned lately how much I LOVE to hear Emily stories and how wonderful I think your whole family is ?

Thank you for sharing her and them with us !

[Googsmom aka Jennifer]

Well that is super I just love Emily. Beer run.... too cute

[Jackie]

Well as I have said before...I am not too sure that alcohol and DS unmonitored is a good thing.

We have talked often about our kids inability to stop eating...to feel full...and I can't help but wonder if that applies as well to alcohol. Just a fear I have if she should live on her own and have access 24/7 to acquiring six packs.

She and Katie have "beer nights" ...and on beer nights the limit is 2 for both of them. I am thinking since the wt loss is slower these days...we are having beer night quite often perhaps.

Frankly don't think anything wrong at all with people who have DS drinking...but drinking responsibly and usually that means with someone else monitoring.

And....as with all our kids...WE never gave her a sip before she was legal (not that they waited that long...LOL).

[steffaroni]

That is soo cool jackie.Beer run lmao.....
My biggest fear of Olivia living on her own is her eating. Left to her own devices she would eat us out of house and home.Thanks for sharing that Jackie.(((HUGS))) Steff

[mollysmomma]

i cannot tell you how uplifting this note is...molly is just eight, but if it is ANYTHING like her sibs, i know it won't be long before she is up and gone!! *sniff*

thank you, thank you, thank you!! A peek at the future, a fine future...living as a typical adult is everything i dream of!!

any boyfriends on the scene??? I'm hoping by the time she wants an apartment, her and Cody will be married and moving in together!! hehehehe yea...i already have a husband picked out for her!

:0

e & molly kate

[Jackie]

Alas...no boyfriends. Katie says she comes home from the dances talking about various guys ...but the dances are about her only contact with people with disabilities. She does do a DS cooking class but no prospects in that apparently.

Her driver has another client who is a guy about 30...and Em really enjoys him. Think his name is John. But I think he has a girlfriend already.

I keep telling Em I have picked out Elvis her old flame for her sweetie...but...alas...she just laughs it off.

Don't know if you read the post about her recent personal plan with her service agency...but in talking about her "rights"...Em piped up..."and I have the right that NO ONE can MAKE me get married...right?"

So not sure a "guy" is top on her list at the moment. She is mostly fired up about her upcoming arts program which begins in August. Maybe she will meet someone there.

Jackie

[advocate4myself]

I don't blame Emily one bit about having her own apartment. And to accept knowing she will have to live with a roomate is an ecouragement for her and as well for you. My parents will leave the next Saturday to take my youngest niece to camp at Blue Haven. They will be gone for three days at the most. I will have a blessed time to myself! love it, love it love it! ;D Steve, my boy-friend will take me to church so I will probably spend the day with him...............Debbie

[CC]

WTG Emily

Man oh Man Jackie I would be in heaven if I thought my Christopher would ever be able to live in an apartment on his own.

Sounds like it would be a GREAT move for Miss. Em and sounds as if she is way more then capable ;D

Can't wait to here about that adventure

CC ~

[danikins]

Thanks Jacke,
I always love hearing--or should I say reading your stories about EM. Such inspiration hope and joy.
Kim

[Jackie]

As I have said over and over...Em is really just an average person with DS. We are not "grandstanders"...i.e. we have not groomed her for the podium . I have never encouraged that in Emily because I am a shrinking violet in front of a Mic myself. Of course I have raised a large group of 'thespians'...not sure how...LOL.

People often refer to young adults with DS as 'superstars' and I don't think Em is one of those either...in the traditional sense.

In fact...if I didn't post here...didn't enjoy cyberspace...I doubt that her DS would even cross my mind most of the time. So maybe for those of you who feel like your life is consumed by the words down syndrome...you know there is a light at the end of the tunnel... ;D

Anyhow I also post because I truly feel Em has a pretty good life and a pretty typical one. Those of you who have older teens know that their future looks bright, but I am hoping by posting to inspire those who are just beginning thier journey.

I also post because another big hurdle for me was cutting those apron strings. I think I have done a pretty good job of it...but in all honesty it hasn't been easy. We are all so emotionally bound up with our kids and their needs that to pass the torch to someone else ...even for short periods of time like camps...etc...is just not all that easy. But if our kids are EVER going to grow and become independent...it is something we all must face and do.

I remember back when Em was a babe in arms...and a friend of mine who had a son with DS used to talk about a 12 yr old with DS who lived in THEIR neighborhood and often came over to help my friend cook. She talked about her just the way she would talk about a non disabled child...and even said..."sometimes she just wont stop talking and that drives me crazy"...LOL Oddly...that 12 yr old who I never met...became MY guiding light for the future. I have totally lost contact with my friend but would love to know what became of this girl who never shut up...LOL.

So it is my hope that when reading about Em and our family...you will get some inspiration and also know that life can be really good...even if you have DS.

Jackie

[lorraine]

Funny that you should say that Jackie, but Em really was someone I saw as inspiration,(and still do !!) when William was born I was given the Bright Beginnings booklet in the hospital, it was the only information I had and I read it over and over (and over LOL)
I didn't know her at the time of course but the book with Em on the cover is in there. Its a great picture, and it gave me alot of comfort. I must find that out and have another read!

Oh and its Great news that she enjoyed her time alone ;D ;D

Lorraine