Thirty years ago today
Thirty years ago today I gave birth to a little girl who we named Andrea Michelle. We found out shortly after she was born that she had Down Syndrome and we were told to put her in a home and forget about her; that she would never walk, talk or do for herself. We were also told that we were young and that we could have more children. Of course, we rejected the doctor's advice and today, she is thirty years old. Andrea not only walks, but she talks a blue streak. Do for herself? Psh! Of course! This is a girl who walked across the stage to be given her diploma with her class to the thundering applause of her classmates....with 33 credits, one more than needed for graduation. She has been difficult, stubborn and cantankerous, but she is always, always the most loving individual that I have ever met. Do not mess with any of her family or anyone that she cares for because you might just be taken down, as was displayed one day when a supervisor was playing around with me....