by Brad Rivard

I’ve become fond of the phrase “Frustration and anxiety live in the space between reality and expectation”. For Rachael and I, we really started to feel that when we got Amelia’s diagnosis of Mosaic Down syndrome when she was 15 months old. We were, and still are, the typical parents who, to pull from the classic and very accurate “Welcome to Holland” essay by Emily Kingsley, landed in Holland but planned to be in Italy. We quickly realized that there was no need for the frustration and anxiety when we found the DSAWM and started to learn about the wonderful community and joys that having a child with Down syndrome can bring.

We’ve developed and lived the ethos that Amelia’s diagnosis changed nothing yet it changed everything. It changed nothing in that a parent’s mission is to provide the tools, resources, and experiences that allow your child to become the best version of themselves. It changed everything in terms of what resources, tools, and experiences we provide for her. Our mission as parents never changed, and never will.

Today, Amelia is the joy of our lives and like many she brings the joy and love into every room. While she challenges us at times – as all kids do – we wouldn’t change a thing.

Shortly after she was diagnosed, we got involved with the DSAWM. Over that next year, I had the honor to serve on the Board of Directors as a Member at Large, and then later as Vice President. To say the DSAWM has been a large part of our lives is an understatement. I am so proud to be part of an organization that embraces the challenges of change and the promise of progress while keeping true to the mission – supporting lifelong opportunities for individuals with Down syndrome and their families.

Over the next couple of years I am excited for what the DSAWM has in store. We have been blessed with a wonderful staff who have embraced our community. We are actively working on both sustainability, as well as growth for the organization. Most importantly, we are continually working to provide valued experiences, programming, and education to our members that are consistent with the mission.

I look forward and thank you for your continued support of the DSAWM, and to seeing all of you at one of our upcoming events.

-Brad Rivard
President, DSAWM

by Maria Leestma

Artists Creating Together Camp
People from ACT got ready for summer at art camp at Meijer Gardens. They brought yarn, wire, watercolor paint, paint brushes, rocks, crayons, glue, and balloons. The students were signed up and came Monday through Wednesday to learn about cultures and structures. Monday, we rode on the tram and looked at different artists. We went back to the building and we worked on a portrait and sculpture. Tuesday, we went back to the building and made our own stick sculptures. On Wednesday, the students were assigned to work outside. Then we got back from the walk and started to make sculptures. We made flowers for the flowerpots. Then we made flowers out of fabric. The last thing was that we went on the tram. That night, the parents came to see the art that we did. Then we took our projects home. I had lots of fun.

Young Life Discipleship Camp
On Thursday, I road in a car to Holland with my Young Life leader. We road to the restaurant to have lunch. After that, we road again to Hope College. We unloaded our suitcases. Next, we had club. We learned about God and how to serve him and other people. We overflow in our love to him by serving others. We got some ice cream. On Friday in the morning we had breakfast. We went to the club at the Dow Center. Later, we served food for people at the Mission. On Friday night, we dressed up like it was the ’80s. We played bingo to earn a prize. On Saturday morning we had breakfast and club. We went to the lake and we floated in the water. We had lots of fun. Then we went horseback riding. At night we had a dance party. On Sunday morning it was the last day. We had to say goodbyes to everyone. I hope I can go there again!

by Ruth Lee

Dear Fellow Travelers

My road to Independence
is currently under construction.

The work can be messy, noisy,
irritating, and inconvenient.
Ride with me.

Expect speed bumps, pot holes,
abrupt lane changes, unexpected curves, sudden stops.
Ride with me.

Construction could take days…years…
a lifetime…The work may never end…
Ride with me.

I’m on my way.

My Kid Has More Chromosomes Than Yours

The laundry–folded differently–
has not been folded wrong;
Singing to a different beat
will not destroy the song;
Art deemed “inappropriate”
should be talked about, not nixed;
People born untypical
do not need to be fixed.