It’s mostly exciting and then a little bit scary because it is a really big change. I don’t know for sure but I think it is like a dream come true. I been wanting to be on my own in my own apartment for a really long time. But I still check in with Mom and Dad too but now that’s like my second home at their place. And this is my first home.
“…and my bedroom will be over there,” Leah explains, as a dream is months away from being realized.
The beginning of our Upside Down Blog year begins, in fact, on January 22nd. Turns out that preparing an adult with Down syndrome to move into her first very own apartment is both all-consuming and time warping.
The winds have settled, and on Thursday, the last piece of furniture was delivered into an apartment that only Leah Stodden holds the address to – and just like that, my sister and her piano have met their new home.
Just like that. What a loaded sentence.
Our Blog series as we jump into 2018 will aim to break down the process of our experience. How “independent living” for Leah has looked in our family and the emotions throughout the 15-year journey. How it encouraged my brother-in-law to take a sledgehammer at age 18 to our basement closet. How it once spurred my parents to sell our childhood home and uproot to Texas for a year. How a requirement at each of my parents’ 6 homes afterwards was a basement that could be “transformed” into Leah’s apartment.
We’ll discuss the bittersweet emotions when Leah would go stay at our sister Megan’s house, or when Leah would come stay at mine. How the community, and some amazing family friends, came together to support Leah’s dream to live on her own. Preparing, preparing, always preparing – with hope – that one day, she would be unlocking her own door. Doing the dishes in HER kitchen. Playing piano in HER living room.
Leah in her apartment, keys in hand.
Our journey has not always looked like we expected it too, and your journey, whatever it may be, won’t either. We’re excited to re-live our story through our posts and hope you join us.
If you are reading this and someone is in your heart who also dreams of standing in front of their own door with a key made just for them– take notes, prepare, and hope. In your own unique, beautiful way, you will make it happen.
One of the most encouraging developments that has blossomed from Leah’s new apartment complex, Sheltering Tree, is the community. This group of parents, guardians, family, and community members have had unrelenting will, which has made the way for so many deserving people.
In the community area at Sheltering Tree, excited to share our stories!
It has been a long time that we talk about my dream to have my own apartment. Thank you for reading our stories and we hope you enjoy to read about our experience together as a family to get to my new Sheltering Tree Apartment home. I want to write more but I am a little busy with a lot of things like dinner in the community area and clean my apartment and I will write more next time. Thank you to read our blog and our New Blog Series together that Im going to write with my sister Lindsay for you all to enjoy and learn from my heart to yours.
Leah, outside her apartment, welcoming all to read along as we reflect on our 15-year journey to get to right where she’s standing.
Here’s to turning our minds Upside Down.
Leah, I am so thrilled that you have your own apartment. You have touched so many lives in a positive way, including mine. You will continue to inspire us all. Can hardly wait to see your new home. Love you!
How exciting Leah and congratulations. Can’t wait to have you show it to me soon.
Carolyn
My heart is so full for Leah! I am really eager to read all the upcoming blogs about this journey. Hurry up! 😉👏