One of my roles here on The Road is to scour the news for stories that are relevant to our community.  I usually share them via “ScoopIt” and post them to our RebelMouse site.  Once in a while I’ll be particularly interested in a story and elaborate on it either on FaceBook or here, on my blog page.

Two recent articles about lawsuits that have been filed on behalf of people with developmental disabilities caught my attention.

Since we're busy with the A to Z Blogging Challenge - Don't miss the alphabet of Joshism pictures this month on my regular blog (which has moved in case you weren't aware) and full month of stories and guest posts here on The Road - I thought I'd share today's Joshism here.  

One of my favorite things to do is to "eavesdrop" on the conversations that Josh has with himself, his "boys" (the stuffed animals he surrounds himself with) or the television.  As an only child, he's had develop his own ways of entertaining himself, and he's a pro at it by now.  

Every now and then I'll realize that I've heard him say the same thing before.  There's one phrase that he keeps repeating on a regular basis "it's a BABY talking!"   It made me wonder what the heck was going on so I decided to look into it.   Turns out, he's talking to a commercial.

He reminds me that you NEVER know what he understands and processes.   You just have to take the time to listen - (or eavesdrop) - to find out.

For those of us on The Road, WDSD was...  hectic to say the least.   Hectic in a GOOD way!  I didn't want the month to end without talking a little bit about the UN panel discussion on health.  

In preparation for our 321 eConference session yesterday, "Finding Support via Social Media - Blogging and Internet Communities" - I did a lot of thinking about WHY I choose to share my story on various social media outlets.  

Today has been so exciting and energizing!  I've participated in the 321 eConference, and listened to Dr. Capone address the United Nations !  I've only begun to look through all the fabulous pictures and blog posts celebrating "designer genes" that have been shared online.  Josh and I have danced to "I'm Happy" several times already today.  And it's only just begun!

How COOL is that!

Josh helped pick out these pictures and was "too proud with me" about sharing them for WDSD.  He kept saying - "Look at us!"  with a big ol' grin on his face.   

Indeed - look at us!   The road may not have been easy, and hopefully there's a lot more to it!  We'll keep working and sharing, not just for our family and friends, but for anyone who will listen.  We love each other - we're happy - and we're grateful for the friends we've made along the way!

Happy World Down Syndrome Day!  #WDSD14

At this stage in our lives, most of us don't have room or time left to get excited about things like that.  We're too busy focusing on the here and now - and we love our "kids" for the adults that they've grown in to.

Until recently - I passed over all the Facebook statuses, Tweets, and news articles that talked about research because I didn't think they had anything to do with me, my son, or our community.

This month we'll focus on telling stories about the adults who have Down syndrome that we love.  We'll also address some of the issues that surround talking in public about our loved ones like:

• What stories should be told - should we only tell the good ones?
  
• How should they be told - by whom ?
  
• What about privacy?
  
• What audience?
  
• Does it do any good?
  

As we start the last week in February I'm taking a moment to reflect on "social" month on The Road We've Shared.

This picture was taken the day of the Boardwalk Buddy Walk in Rehoboth Beach, DE.   Josh and I went to support the Saylor family and TeamEthanNation.  It was a great day of fun and dancing for Josh - for me it was bittersweet -  remembering Ethan and spending time with one of my very best friends that I don't see often enough.

About a week ago I wrote about how I've recently read things that made me question myself as a parent and advocate for my son.  The first applied to my writing / blogging about him and the second is about inclusion.

How much is "enough."
Do I do everything I can?
Should I be doing more?
Is the fact that he's happy good enough?