Leah and I have been working on writing stories together for about four years now. While our vision was always unclear, writing together felt natural, right, and important. Some topics we would write about were heavy and some lighter. We reflected on random moments; road trips, favorite movies, and birthday dinners…and also difficult situations; the R-word, making friends, and driving a car. Over time, we accumulated a huge pile of drafts, scribbles… random notes and e-mails. And ideas, oh so many ideas. It wasn’t until we created our blog Upside Down that we have been able to focus and co-write posts. This has encouraged us to organize, re-write, and share these scribblings. And we are so excited.
We’re so excited. And we just can’t hide it.
So why do we want to share our stories? With each Upside Down post, we aim to encourage readers to think about and see people, places, and experiences through a non-judgmental lens. To recognize the beauty that is in each and every unique situation. While our focus and stories are based on Down syndrome, our posts of acceptance and awareness can apply to every single person, regardless of circumstance.
We also just want to make people smile. Smiling’s our favorite.
I like to write stories that can give other people to know about what is Down syndrome is. And to learn what it is like to be as a person with Down syndrome too. I like how I am make a difference in people’s life to be helpful in other ways. And to show them that people who have Down syndrome is just like everybody on Earth.
I like to share stories that I am just like anybody and try to not think about their ability just to think about the person who have Down syndrome is treated like everybody else. And not to think about only you. To think about how the people around you are also and as well.
Leah has shown initiative with Upside Down, sitting down to write on her own, wanting to share her stories
I like and love to be with my sister Lindsay to make all of this happen together to make these stories and make this Upside Down Blog to share to everyone across the country and cities too.
We have had some very encouraging moments since starting the blog; e-mails from readers, being selected as the winner of a blog contest of 3,000 participants, and even connecting with a family in France. One really neat moment happened when Leah was recognized at a wedding that we were at. The girl shared with us that her sister had a baby with Down syndrome two months prior and their family had enjoyed reading our stories. So so cool.
I have a short and a quick story that excites me. When one of Lindsay’s friends got to get engaged to get married and they got married in the wedding. At the wedding someone and somebody from the wedding saw me and my sister Lindsay who recognized us from doing the writing on the Blog. And on the website. And she say to us our blog that they in her family love it and they read our blog and stories too. We both of us say Oh Thank You So Much. We enjoy when everybody read it and both of us Leah and Lindsay are very excited with the whole thing.
At the wedding where after being recognized Leah stated, “I, uh, I think I may be becoming famous or something.” Hahaha
What’s next? The unknown has always thrilled me. It has also always made me anxious…so the roller coaster continues. We will continue to write with more consistency…aiming to find our voice and reach more people. We hope to share inspirational stories of other individuals beyond our own. We also will begin incorporating video into posts and on Facebook, further developing our online presence. We want to continue to build an Upside Down community of people who share stories of acceptance.
I would love something to happen next and that is to put all of the work and when we write stories to put all of that into a book from the blog that we have been doing. I want to able to show and to share to all of other people and families too. Then they are able to read the stories what both of us Leah and Lindsay do together in one place.
I also want to be in business company with my sister and keep it going when we have everything with the blog going and maybe the book too and other things too. I want to let a lot of people and families to think about that person they meet or know with Down syndrome to be treated like everybody else. And to know they are still person just like anyone in your family and your friends too with abilities and laughter and we all of us and everyone are beautiful wonderful people in this world.
I would like to say Thank You to read our stories and our blog too. We both of us Leah and Lindsay appreciate the time you take.
Cheers to learning from the past, being in the present, and the unknown potential of the future! We’re so glad you’ve joined our journey.
Here’s to turning our minds Upside Down.
Our beautiful little girl Maisy was born on Thursday last, 22 September. We knew from 16 weeks into the pregnancy that our new baby had Down’s Syndrome. Our journey through the pregnancy has been made so much easier with your wonderful blog. I wish that I can be as supportive, understanding, accepting and loving as your parents have been. I take enormous inspiration and hope from your story. Maisy has 3 wonderful, handsome, loving and fun brothers to take care of her as well. Keep doing what you’re doing. You are clearly helping so many people. Best wishes and love from Ireland