Language for the "Special Ones"

Many children with Down Syndrome do not begin to verbally communicate until sometime between the age of 4 and 6. Some never communicate verbally. Hope, who just turned 4 in September, is still not communicating with us using words. She's making lots of sounds while using very expressive hand motions, so we believe speech is coming soon. When speech does eventually come, we know Hope will catch up on all of the lost time! Even though she doesn't communicate verbally, she communicates using different signs. Currently, she knows 50 signs.....but she only uses them when they benefit her. Ha! Ha!

When Hope turned one, we began three different therapies: Physical, Speech and Occupational Therapy. When I first met her speech therapist, I was surprised when she began teaching Hope sign language; but what a welcome relief! Hope picked up on it right away and was less frustrated, because she had a new way to tell me what she wanted or needed. Since we were learning this new language together, we completely understood one another (and still do!)

Above is a picture of Charlie and Hope sitting together this morning watching a new sign language video that was recommended by a friend. They LOVED it!!! They sat together for 30 minutes and watched the entire DVD without moving. I was able to sneak in and take a quick photo without disturbing them. Amazing. This is just another kind of "different" that goes along with a "special one".....it is not bad, at all.....just different!

"Who has made man's mouth? or who makes the dumb, or deaf, or the seeing or the blind? Have not I the Lord?" Exodus 4:10

Hope will speak at the precise time that has already been ordained by her heavenly Father, and not a moment sooner. I trust Him and can hardly wait! When she finally says, "Mommy", I believe all of Nashville will hear a big "hoop and holler"!!! Then, post celebration, I will fall on my face and thank the Lord.....



I have to brag on Caleb's football team for a second.....the Knights will play Aaron Academy for the MTAC Championship this Saturday!

Day #5.....Big Brother's March For Hope

Caleb, Hope's big brother and hero, almost 15 years of age, has asked if he could share his heart with all who are praying for Hope......Caleb's love for Hope is a special thing. They have been buddies since she was just a tiny baby. He has a tenderness toward her that continually touches my heart and all those who see him with her:

Hi, I'm Caleb. I'm scared for Hope. I'm scared that God might take her away to benefit His plan. There are so many things I love about my baby sister, that I would miss like crazy. I love getting up and seeing the bright smile on her face as she's running through the house shouting at everyone. I would definitely miss getting hit by a green bean flying across the table after she has just rocketed one at me, and then the look of innocence following the flying vegetable. I would miss throwing my food back at her to make her laugh. She loves it. The real challenge with Hope is trying to catch her glasses when she gets tired of them and throws them across the room. They have landed in my mashed potatoes and gravy several times. I love carrying Hope on my shoulders....even though she enjoys beating me on my head when she's up there. I tickle her to make her giggle and get a kick out of the way she steals my guitar pick to strum my electric guitar when I'm playing. Most of all, I love staying up late, holding her in my arms, and watching tv with her until she falls asleep. We do this alot. This is what I would miss most.

Alot of people don't understand how such great gifts can come in imperfect packages. You don't have to have a super wrapped up, pretty package to have a great gift. What really matters is what is on the inside. And Hope is beautiful on the inside. I get angry, and sometimes want to tell people off, when they give Hope a strange look and think they are better than her. But Hope doesn't care. She doesn't understand. She's just being Hope.



If I could change anything about Hope, I wouldn't, except I would make sure she had a good heart. I dread the heart surgery so much to where I just can't even comprehend that Hope could die in the surgery and I would never be able to spend another moment with her on earth. I'm just praying that God will work a miracle and that Hope will be fine after surgery. I hope she will be just like she is now. I love the song: "There is hope for me yet.....because God won't forget.....The plans He's made for me.....There is hope for me yet". I can't imagine God's plan for my life wouldn't include Hope being in it. For 4 years, I have dreamed of being Hope's coach in the Special Olympics. I want to teach her how to run a race. When she gets into trouble around the house, she can run quick as lightning. It's shocking how fast she can run. I think she could blow away all of the competition in the Special Olympics some day. We could come home with a gold medal. God knows this is my dream.

I want to share my heart for Hope tonight, but it is so hard. How do you write about someone who comes into your life and flips it all around? Before Hope, I looked at the whole world differently. I looked at every day as a time to go out and have the best time I could without a worry in the world. Now Hope has taught me there is more to life than just having fun. There are people, like Hope, who need our help and prayers. I took my life for granted and I think that is what alot of people do everyday. Hope will never have the chance to do things that most of us do all of the time. I don't take things for granted anymore. I'm thankful for the mind and body I've been given and want to do my very best in everything I do, because I know my sister would love to have the opportunity to do things I do, but she will never have the chance because her body and her mind won't let her. I want my life to matter for her. Everyone always says I'm Hope's hero, but the truth is, she is mine.

I am so proud of Hope and love showing her off to all of my friends. I've even named her the "chick magnet". I guess what I would want everyone to know is kids with Down Syndrome are still kids. Things don't come as easy for them, but they give a 110% in everything they do. If you see a kid with Down Syndrome, don't look away. Say hi. Be their friend. They will adore you.


Please don't forget my sister and all of the joy she has given everyone who has met her. Don't just say you'll pray to say it. Really mean it, because my sister needs a miracle. God still does the unthinkable. It is not too late for Hope. Thank you for praying. Keep on marching with us. We are going to get our miracle.