Here Goes Nothin’….part Deux

Well Hello! I am excited and nervous all at the same time to say that I am going to start blogging here for Ruby’s Rainbow. Excited to share stories and updates of recipients, new stuff goin’ on with RR, keep you up to date with “all things Ruby Doobs”…INSPIRE y’all by the coolness and capabilities of people with Down syndrome. BUT..a wee bit nervous because I am not really a writer, so bare with me. I started a family blog shortly after Ruby was born because I felt like I was forgetting all those little things with my first daughter, Ella Mae,  that you think you will never forget…ya know, like “how much did she weigh?” and “What freakin’ time was she born?” All good mommies must remember that stuff…right?  I have sense learned that it’s not about the tiny details, but the feelings and the memories. The stories. I never want to forget the time my Ella Mae pooped on my neighbors driveway (I am sure she wants me to), or the way she used to say “I love you always much, Mommy”. So my first blog post ever, Here goes nothin…, was my way of remembering the day our lil’ Ruby came into this world. There are so many more stories to come, and I know I can’t remember them all, but my computer can, so I will keep tucking these lil’ memories away so when I old I can look back and chuckle.  I haven’t blogged in a while, but all my older posts are here, so feel free to read them if you want to crack up at my family. My new intention of blogging is to inspire you with updates from recipients, old and new, keep up with all the thoughtful happenin’s in the world of Down syndrome...and of course share with you Ruby’s progress (she is the face of the organization ya know :)).

Anywho…a lot has happened since that first post.  We have met a lot of incredible people, heard a lot of incredible stories, so the time has come for me to tuck these new incredible stories away, so we can always look back, remember and be inspired.  SOOOO…without further or due….Here goes nothin’…part deux.

HERE GOES NOTHIN’…..

I don’t know if you guys got the memo…but we were able to grant THIRTY-TWO FREAKIN’ SCHOLARSHIPS for the fall of this year! That equates to $85,000 in scholarship funds going out this year. Total record breaking over here on all accounts. If someone would have told me when we started thinking about this in 2011: “you will have given $185,000 in scholarships to 74 amazing individuals in just four years…” I would have said they were crazy. Or maybe something like, “You Cray cray “(isn’t that what the cool kids are sayin these days?  No? ok…) BUT. That is the reality. When we started RR, I had NO idea what to expect. I just knew the dream I had for my own daughter. I didn’t know if we would A) get any applicants… or B) raise any money.  We were gonna be happy that first year with just ONE $2.ooo scholarship. We gave $21,000 that year to ELEVEN amazing individuals. We have gained more support and through the next few years only grown.  We have been so blessed with so many amazing people that love and support us. So many people that BELIEVE. They believe in what we are doing and in the people we are helping. It makes my heart so full and happy knowing Ruby has a whole world full of people that believe in her.

 

 

We go to Michigan every year to visit the G-Parents and we were lucky enough to have the opportunity to hang with one of our newest recipients, Mathew Hessburg,  this trip because he lives in Detroit. It was actually something the hubby cooked up after he remembered Matthew was a huge Detroit sports fan. The hubby, being from Michigan, is also a huge fan, so it seemed natural to want to take him to a Tigers game, of course.  So we decided to just make it a “surprise day” all around. He had no idea that day when he met us for lunch that he was going to a baseball game, much less receiving an RR scholarship. We’re so sneaky.

Out of our 74 Recipients, I have only had the pleasure of meeting a handful of them in person…so to say I was pumped would be a complete understatement.  For me, each application I receive, each recipient I learn more about…is like a lil’ fast forward into Ruby’s future.  And let me tell you…I LOVE thinking about Ruby’s future.  You see…I have believed in her determination and sweet spirit since the day she was born. So to see what others “rockin’ it”, just like her, are doing?? To me, is so inspiring and encouraging. 

Ruby got to actually hand-deliver the brightly colored envelope to Matthew (oh my heart!) which was a first for her. I am sure there will be many more”hand deliveries” from Ruby as the years go by, but this was pretty darn special. I don’t know if Matthew was more excited about the scholarship, or the signed hockey gear he got from Red Wings Justin Abdelkader!! (thanks Arehart Fam :))

After lunch, we headed to the game and  got there about 30 minutes after it started. Have you ever been to a baseball game with a four and six year old?  The first five minutes after sitting down Ella Mae says, “When is this thing gonna start??  I’m bored.”  Good thing the Tiger’s Stadium has a ferris wheel. We got some good use out of that thing.

It was nice to get to sit and chat (in between ferris wheel rides :)) with both Matthew and his mom.

Matthew will be attending the Western Carolina University UP Program where he wants to study other cultures along with nutrition and business. His goal is to eventually own his own restaurant serving international cuisine, and he has been cooking at home for quite some time.  His brother told me his “pork tacos” were to die for, so next time we blow through town maybe we will be lucky enough to have him whip some up for us.

Getting to know Mathew was awesome, but I also really enjoyed getting to chat with his mom, T.J. I love picking the brains of moms who have been paving the path for the next generation of those rockin’ that extra chromosome, soaking in all of the knowledge and the “I have been there’s”.  You always want to ask, “What did you do to help him get where he is today?” “What can I do to ensure my kid will have all the right opportunities to be the best she can be??”  Give me all your secrets!!!!! (insert: me shaking T.J.’s shoulders really hard here)  The truth is, there is no secret. I know this. I know that every child with Down syndrome is different and unique just as any child is different and unique.

 

But is is always nice to hear stories. To hear of victories and accomplishments, and even the hardships and the struggles. Because that is how we learn. It was wonderful to hear how Matthew was treated just the same as his three older brothers. Whatever his brothers did…he did.  He was on the swim team with his brothers since the age of 6 and was even the Captain of the Varsity Swim Team his last year in high school . He was also in the Show Choir and even worked at a local elementary school as an assistant helping some of the kids with special needs. He would play educational games with them to encourage reading and math. Anything and everything you could hope and dream for…for any kid.  I am so grateful to the Matthew’s and T.J.’s because they are breaking down those barriers. They are paving the way and making a brighter future for everyone. For these ones….

 

Anywho…I look forward to following Matthew on his journey toward higher education and sharing it with all of you to help inspire you to go for whatever makes you happy. Find your passion peeps and go for it! I also look forward to those dang pork tacos…..

Stay tuned (or subscribe to the blog) for more inspiring updates from Rockin’ Recipients across the nation who are “rockin’ that extra chromosome!!”