Liam Lights Up Times Square

On Saturday, Liam's picture appeared in Times Square, as part of the NDSS Times Square Video Presentation, which highlights the lives of people who have Down syndrome. This was the second time Liam was featured, but yet again, we were unable to see it in person. Thankfully, we watched live (and cried)! Thanks to some amazing friends whom we have never even met, pictures of Liam from every angle in Times Square, came flooding in shortly after the presentation!

If you've been reading my blog for any amount of time, you probably already know that we had a surprise diagnosis of Down syndrome with Liam after he was born, and it wasn't even confirmed until he was a few weeks old. Initially, it was a huge shock, but life didn't change in the ways we expected. Instead, we decided that we were going to raise our son exactly like we were raising his older siblings, and life with Ds actually became quite normal.

Life with Down syndrome isn't always easy, but again, life with ANY child isn't always easy. The truth is, life with Down syndrome is actually "typical" the majority of the time, and we're devoted to bringing awareness to the fact that Down syndrome is nothing to fear! The NDSS Times Square Video is a powerful way to bring awareness to an often very much misunderstood genetic condition!

Liam first appeared in the NDSS Times Square Video in 2015. We were so excited, but we were unable to attend at the time. A sweet friend snapped a picture for us, and we are incredibly grateful to have it!

Since then, I forgot to submit a picture each year for consideration. This year, however, I managed to submit one JUST before the deadline. The NDSS only chooses a handful of submissions, and we were so excited to hear that his photo was chosen again!

Liam's friend since infancy, and current Kindergarten classmate, who is also rocking an extra chromosome, was also chosen for the NDSS Times Square Video! Prior to the actual event, our county newspaper and local newspaper, wrote a full page article on Liam, his friend, life with Down syndrome, and the upcoming Times Square video. Liam's picture even landed on the front page! It was so wonderful to be able to share just how positive, happy, and normal life with Down syndrome is for our family!

Initially we had planned to attend the event in New York City on Saturday, but unexpected life circumstances popped up, and we were unable to travel. I was devastated that we would be missing it in person yet again, and spent the days leading up to it in a funk. But as I mentioned, my rockin' mom tribe went above and beyond, and sent so many great pictures our way!

I always tell people how amazing the Down syndrome community can be, and it's absolutely true! I've met many moms locally, along with a few of my favorite out of state moms at conventions. I interact with hundreds of moms daily, I volunteer each day for the Down Syndrome Diagnosis Network, I regularly share about what life with Down syndrome is really like, and I am actively involved in the Down syndrome community.

I consider many of the moms I've never even met in person my friends, and I can't wait to really meet them one day and give them a huge hug for the endless love and support they give to me and my family each day! One day the planets will align and life will cooperate, and I will finally be able to attend a rockin' mom retreat, and the NDSS Times Square Video Presentation, if Liam is chosen again. For now, I'm counting down the days until I can finally meet a few of my favorite moms at the NDSC Convention in June!

I am so thankful to all the rockin' moms who went above and beyond on Saturday, and snapped a picture for me of Liam's incredible smile lighting up Times Square. It truly made my day, and their kindness brought me to tears. THAT'S the power of the Down syndrome community! We couldn't be there in person, but the moment was captured perfectly for us!