MOSAIC MOMENTS

Comedian ventriloquist, Jeff Dunham has made audiences laugh for decades with his circle of friends, Peanut, Walter, and Jose Jalapeno on a Stick. The majority of his act pokes fun at all races and religions, however Dunham is quick to remind his dummy counterparts that the remarks are politically incorrect and often hurtful to those hearing them. 

On Friday, Sep. 4th, Dunham and “friends” made their appearance to College Station, TX as the headliner of Texas A&M First Yell kick off. As expected, the large stadium was filled almost to capacity with the great anticipation of the laughs the evening would produce. However, the laughs faded when Jeff Dunham and his dummy Walter began a conversation that would demean those with intellectual disabilities.

Walter is depicted as a grumpy, white, old man known for his opinionated sarcasm and often puts down those of other races. During his “conversation” with Dunham, he said that Dunham was a “Retard” and made reference to Dunham riding “The Short Bus”. After Walter used the word “Retard” twice, instead of correcting Walter (as Dunham does all of his puppets when they use hurtful words) he too used the word “Retard” and laughed it off.

However, the majority of the audience was not laughing. 

The past few years, there has been a growing movement to “End the “R” Word” by advocacy leaders and youth who agree that the use of this word is cruel and offensive and considered “Hate Speech” just as any other slur. In March of 2009, the Special Olympics created a national day to “Spread The Word to End The Word” and thousands followed to make this type of language stop.

As a Jeff Dunham fan, my family and I were very excited to attend this evening of laughs. Before we left, I had reminded my 13 yr old son that some of the things said may be inappropriate for his young age. He asked me what I would do if anyone performing used the “R” word during their act. Cringing inwardly, I jokingly told him that I would rush the stage and give them a lecture on the spot! Of course, I didn’t expect the headliner to be the one to use this language. When it happened, both of my children looked at me worried what I might do.  As English author,  Edward Bulwer-Lytton wrote in 1839, “The pen is mightier than the sword”, or in this case….”the keyboard is mightier than rushing the stage”

I wrote Jeff Dunham regarding the act and why using this word is not only offensive, but also opens doors for bullying in the school and the workplace. I educated him on the growing number of advocates backing the Special Olympics to end the “R” word.

I did not ask Mr. Dunham to stop his act. In fact, I didn’t even ask him to quit saying the “R” word. Instead I encouraged him to use this as an important tool to teach his audience the importance of words and how hurtful they can become. I asked him to do what he does when any of his dummies say something that might offend someone.  I asked him tell Walter that using the “R” word is hurtful and hateful and that it is not right to use words that will make fun of those who can’t speak up for themselves.

I hope that Mr. Dunham heeds my suggestions. If you would like to suggest the same you can email him at fanmail@jeffdunham.com

Today was the beginning of a huge change in life as we know it! Years ago, I don’t really know when or how it happened, but all of the sudden someone finally said that it was WRONG to say the “N” word. Someone said, “Hey! That’s just not very nice!” Someone said “Enough is Enough!” And when that person began to spread around that using the “N” word was hurtful and demeaning and racist and wrong, people eventually caught on and decided that they too would no longer use that word anymore.

Now I am not naive enough to think that no one uses it. In fact, I know that many still do. But it is under hushed breath or spoken by the ones who were first called that hateful word and I suppose if you were the target of the word, then it is your prerogative to use it or not. However, I never-not even once-used that word and when I heard others use it, even as a small child, something in my heart broke and I felt very sad that people used the word at all!

So, today, is the beginning of a new era! Today, like so many years ago, people throughout the nation and throughout the world stood up and said, “Enough is Enough!” When a person uses the “R” word it is hurtful and demeaning and racist and wrong! Today people took that stand and from now on, people will continue to take the stand. 

And, today, as a person part of that movement, I want to challenge YOU!

Spread The Word To End The Word

When someone uses the “r” word, tell them why it hurts. Tell them that it is wrong. Tell them ENOUGH IS ENOUGH! Tell them that THEY can be part of history! And, then, Tell them to pass it on!

To find out more about this campaign click here .

It is time to “Spread the Word to End the Word,” and tomorrow, 31 March, events throughout the United States and around the world will make people stop and think about their hurtful and disparaging use of the word “retard.”

On Tuesday, March 31 people throughout the world will stand united to spread awareness that the time is NOW for the “r” word to end. 

Many don’t understand why this word is so offensive. However, this is considered a hate word, a racial slur, an intent to harm.

March 31 is also the last day for Early Registration for the Down Syndrome Research & Awareness Conference. On April 1st these prices will go up. Please visit our website by clicking here to find out more information.

The big news for the weekend was supposed to be all about World Down Syndrome Day. This very special day set aside to celebrate the lives of those with Down syndrome. People throughout the world who know someone with Down syndrome or have Down syndrome themselves celebrated in various ways and educated their communities about who people with Down syndrome really are.  When you google the topic of World Down Syndrome Day, you get 2,080,000 results. That is a lot of people spreading the word!

However, in the midst of all this celebration, US President, Barak Obama insulted those with Down syndrome and other special needs when making his comment about Special Olympics. When you google that, you get 3,730,000 results. Imagine if this had happened in the middle of the week! The results would have been much higher I imagine. 

It is important to remember that it doesn’t matter if you are for or against Obama being president. The fact is that he is president. A leader of a very powerful nation. Someone that many look up to. Someone who children want to be like. Someone who represents America. 

And, as a representative of America, I expect my representative to represent my feelings and my beliefs. My feelings and my beliefs are in line with what this country was founded on. That ALL people be treated equal. This does not just mean skin color, religion, or culture. This means ALL people. People with different abilities. People in wheelchairs. People with developmental delays. People who are Blind. People who are Deaf. People with extra chromosomes. People with missing chromosomes. People who are short. People who are tall. ALL people means EVERYONE.

Sure, that won’t happen all the time. Sure, there are many times when I disagree with what happens. And, yes, there is very little that I can do to change people’s perspectives.  However, I can make a difference one person at a time!

On March 31 everyone throughout the world will ban together to stop the “r” word. The Special Olympics has called for a National Day of Awareness for America to stop and think about their use of the R-word. The R-word is not “recession”, but something more hurtful and painful-”retard.”

Although Special Olympics is calling for this in America, I would like to challenge each of you, no matter what part of the world you are in to educate others in your country that words do hurt. Words do make a difference. And encourage them to stop using this word. Replace your “r” word for one much more accepting. Replace it with RESPECT. To find out more about this and purchase a Tshirt or button you can go here.

Each day, I have many different visitors visit my blog for various reasons. Either you are a regular viewer (which I appreciate more than I can possibly express), or you have stumbled upon my blog in the midst of searching for information (possibly on Down syndrome or mosaic Down syndrome) with your search engine. Gone are the days when we waited for the Encyclopedia salesman to arrive with our new volumes of information for the year! Now, with the World Wide Web, information on anything you can imagine is at your finger tips! It is a wonderful thing for sure!  

Each day, I am able to look at statistics on how people have come upon my site and see what words they put in their search engines that brought them to my site. Some are quite interesting, some are downright strange and I wonder how they were directed to my blog with their search, and then others makes me say, “Wait! Come Back! Ask Questions!” because I would hate for these people who are looking for information to not be fully fed with the information they needed.

So, for the next several days I am going to answer these questions that have been addressed several times that visitors have asked through their search engines and because of their search, they were directed to my blog. These are the most frequently asked questions about Down syndrome, mosaic Down syndrome, disabilities, prenatal diagnosis, and programs for those with Down syndrome or other special needs.

In the midst of it all, if you have any questions PLEASE ASK! If you don’t ask you won’t know! You can leave a comment or send me an email if you would like to talk privately. There was a time, not too many years ago, that I had no information on Down syndrome or mosaic Down syndrome. My son was already a teenager and I was clueless! Then, I started asking questions-lots of questions! And before I knew it, I was the president of International Mosaic Down Syndrome Association and considered the most knowledgeable person in the world on mosaic Down syndrome! So, ask questions! It is the only way you will know the answers.

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On Wednesday, December 17  The Down Syndrome Association of Central Texas in Austin will begin taking steps to make a huge difference in America regarding those with Intellectual Disabilities.

Texas State Senator Zaffirini is writing legislation to replace the outdated terminology concerning those with developmental delays. This new legislation will change the negative terminology that is insulting and degrading to those with intellectual disabilities to more acceptable up-to-date terms that gives those with intellectual disabilities the respect and dignity they deserve.

Senator Zaffirini is drafting legislation for the 2009 session that would establish the definition of “intellectual disability” within the Texas Code. What does this mean? If this legislation passes, the the term “mental retardation” will be a thing of the past! No longer will this term or the “R” word be an acceptable term and with it being passed in legislation that makes it much more official and hopefully more acceptable to everyone.

This is such an exciting time for everyone! These are very necessary steps and will make a huge difference in those with intellectual disabilities!

Hi this is Garrett Colvin. I’m 12 years old and I am helping my mom today because she is very busy working on writing articles and finishing her grant for IMDSA’s conference. I am an A-B honor student in 7th grade and I would like to tell you about my brother, Tim. My brother has mosaic Down syndrome, but he is like everybody else. Yeah, he does a few weirder stuff then usual, but he is nice, trustworthy, and he is probably the coolest brother you could ever have. He is the person that some people call ‘retarded’, but to me he isn’t, he is smart and he is kind. I could go on and on about him, but I shouldn’t brag of how good my brother is to me. He could tell the most hilarious jokes ever. I always try to make him feel good about himself. Some brothers hate and can’t stand each-other, but me and my brother rarely fight.We love each-other,we spend time with each-other, teach each-other, and we just chill with each-other. If we ever fight it is usually the stupidest thing ever. I hope you people liked my first blog. Think to yourself,every now and then,when was the last time you spent with your brother?

Yesterday I received an email alert that brought up a discussion of Down syndrome. AskMen.com poses the question, “Would you keep a baby with Down syndrome? Does a person with Down syndrome really suffer in today’s society? Should a test for this disorder even be an option for pregnant women?”

The responders of this debate come from all sides. The one question that struck me hard was “Does a person with Down syndrome really suffer in today’s society?”

My answer is ‘yes’, but not the way most people who do not have a child with Down syndrome or mosaic Down syndrome think.

A person with Down syndrome or mosaic Down syndrome does suffer.

They suffer from ignorance.
Not their own-But the world’s.

They suffer from discrimination.
Not because they can not discriminate the differences between others-But because the world discriminates against them.

They suffer from communication problems.
Not because they can not communicate-But because the world will not listen and communicate with them.

They suffer from misunderstanding.
Not because they don’t understand-But because the world refuses to understand them.

They suffer from learning problems.
Not because they can not learn-But because the world believes they are not teachable.

They suffer from the inability to make friendships.
Not because they are unable to be a friend-But because the world teaches their children to not associate with them.

Do people with Down syndrome suffer? Yes, unfortunately they do. But only because the world sees them as so incredibly different from themselves.

If the world would stop and get to know–really know–someone with Down syndrome, they they would realize that they are no different than anyone else!

Some may talk a little different, but that doesn’t mean they don’t know what they are saying! It just means they have trouble forming the words.

Some may learn a little different, but that doesn’t mean they can not learn! It means that like every single other person in the world, they learn at their own pace.

Some may look a little different, but that doesn’t mean something is “wrong” with them. Even identical twins look a little different from one another.

My son has mosaic Down syndrome.

He is 22 years old.

He likes RPG video games.

He likes YouTube.

He likes horror movies.

He LOVES girls.

He plans to have a family.

He plans to have a career in computer graphics.

He is a great writer and hopes to be published one day.

He wants to travel.

He would love to go to Japan.

He likes hanging out with his friends.

How different is he really to any other 22 year old?

This goes back to my statement years ago that became my Trademark:

The Only Handicap A Person Has Are The People Around Them!

The only thing people with Down syndrome or mosaic Down syndrome suffer from are the people in the world who do not believe they should be here in the first place.

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On Sunday, the NPR show “This American Life” featured  me and my son, Tim who has mosaic Down syndrome. This was a rerun of the 2006 program that we did with Karen Sosnoski who also has a son, Anton, who has mosaic Down syndrome. Sunday evening, when I looked at my blog stats I realized that I was getting a lot of visitors who had listened to our show and were looking for more information about us and our unique story of how I kept Tim’s diagnosis of mosaic Down syndrome a secret from most of the people around him as well as himself.

I am happy to see that more and more listeners of that program are coming in to find out more information! This morning, I got a call from Dianne who has a great blog called Erin and Mary Ellen’s Excellent Adventures about her beautiful little girl Mary Ellen who also has mosaic Down syndrome. She and Kris (whose daughter, Erin, has Down syndrome) had started this great blog about Down syndrome and later Dianne found out that Mary Ellen had mosaic Down syndrome instead of Trisomy 21 Down syndrome. Dianne called me to tell me that she was getting a huge amount of hits on her site from searches about Tim and mosaic Down syndrome. She asked me what the heck was going on and so I explained that it was all because of the great listeners from This American Life!

So, my advice to all those bloggers out there…. Write about Tim!
(and please link back to me!)

This will give you more hits on your site and help you to spread awareness about mosaic Down syndrome AND Down syndrome!

Let your voice be heard! Tell them what is important to you! Tell them why you love your child unconditionally! Tell them what your child CAN do! Be honest too! Tell them about your struggles. We all have struggles even if our child has the typical number of chromosomes!

My biggest struggle today–I live in a house full of testosterone! My sweet little Garrett has hit pre-teen puberty with the force of a freight train! HA! You thought my struggle was having a child with extra chromosomes! Some days it is….today is not that day!

What Can Tim Do???

Tim can make the best Chicken Fried Steak in the world! And, if you live in Texas that is quite a feat!

Tim can listen to a song on the radio and immediately play the entire song back on his harmonica! (no…he had no lessons…he taught himself)

Tim can write stories that are so in-depth that even I don’t get them! LOL (my mind is much simpler than his)

Tim can write poetry that makes me very sad. But his poetry conveys his feelings about the world and their perspectives and honestly….he is dead on.

Tim can look at an expression on my face and know immediately if I am worried, happy, angry, sad, or stressed out. And then, he compassionately tries to help.

Tim can joke with his friends, and his brothers. And, he tells some pretty funny jokes!

Tim can do just about anything on the computer, and if he doesn’t know it… he’ll figure it out! (did I tell you the one about him hacking into the school district’s computer system to change his grade??…yeah…that was a good one!)

Tim can spell. I can’t. I ask Tim how to spell everything all the time! He tells me to use spell check….but I like asking him!

Tim can tell you the definition of almost every single word in the dictionary! Tim uses way bigger words than I do. He should get a job for Readers Digest when they do that vocabulary enhancement thing! He would be great!

What can Tim NOT do??

Tim can’t drive. Well… he actually CAN drive… he does it all the time in my parent’s property when he is working over there. (this week he is building fences and a hay loft for my parents) I just don’t let him drive on the road because he has a bit of a delayed reflex and I worry that he wouldn’t stop fast enough if a car in front of him put on their brakes.

Tim has trouble socializing with his peers. This has nothing to do with mosaic Down syndrome. Tim has severe ADHD and Asperger syndrome. (Asperger syndrome is a different form of Autism that often delays socializing)

Tim has Auditory Processing Disorder. What this means is when you say something to him, it takes a little longer, not much but a little, for him to process and understand the information you have given him.

Tim has great ambitions!

Tim wants to be a computer graphic artist. He LOVES Anime and he would love to be part of the production of that.

Tim is a great writer and CAN write phenomenal stories! He just needs the focus to complete a story. If he completed one, we could all retire and live in the Caribbean!

Tim wants a wife and a family and is always talking about what he will do as a father to his children.

Tim is just like every other 22 yr old American male!

He hangs out with his friends.

He plays video games.

He does all kinds of stuff on the computer.

He eats me out of house and home!

He plans for his future.

He cares for his family.

He thinks Asian girls are hot!

He wants to visit Japan. (more about Asian girls lol)

He wants a career.

He wants independence.

He wants people to look at him and see HIM. Not the guy with this rare form of Down syndrome. Not the guy who has Asperger syndrome. Not the guy who takes meds for ADHD and a Thyroid condition.

Tim is Tim.

He and I sing a song together that is by Celene Dion called “Because You Loved Me” This song is something that we sing to each other. We both feel the same way about each other and we both say…

“I’m Everything I am Because You Loved Me!”

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