RE: Introducing Myself

[Guest guest]

Aron...

well, I for one am thoroughly impressed! Very articulate, I can't believe

you were discouraged from finishing high school!!

It's very good to " meet " you...I'm Angel, 34 yrs old, from Southern

California. I have 6 children, including my son who is 13 and has MDS

and

Hirschsprung's Disease.

Angel

[Guest guest]

>Well, Welcome Aron! Actually, you carry yourself very well in conversation,

>and i would have never known that you did not finish High School. I do not

>know about the rest of us, but as for my husband and I (both presumptively

>believed by the geneticist to have MDS), we both have had trouble with

>reading comprehension and presenting clear thoughts until our older years

>(now 46 and 41<me). We both had much difficulty in school and he did not

>graduate either (but no one knows that until now.:0) ) For me, I graduated

>from " college " with an associates degree and a diploma in practical

>nursing. I tell you this because even after graduating, I could not read

>and comprehend without rereading and rereading. Actually, i only acquired

>that about 6 years ago. i think this is a common thing with some of us who

>have Mosaic Down Syndrome. (Perhaps that is our developmental delay....but

>I never knew it! Actually, I never knew I had Down Syndrome at all until

>this year. To me, it is funny because I guess I thought i was normal and

>now I know that we all are normal.)

You sound like a very intriguing and interesting person (as most people with

Mosaicism do to me, even myself.)

I believe my mother knew all along and failed to tell us. If so, this is one

of her better traits and I commend her for that.

I always knew I was different, but I was not sure how.

Just curious...did your wife know you had MDS when you met, or did you have

to tell her? I did not see any characteristics in my husband at all (or

myself for that matter) until my son was diagnosed. (and I am a nurse....go

figure! I guess i saw the inside first.)

_________________________________________________________________

Get the latest Windows Live Messenger 8.1 Beta version. Join now.

http://ideas.live.com

[Guest guest]

...

When my wife and I met 8 years ago she didn't seem to notice that I

had MDS. I always got teased when I was a kid because people thought I

was " stupid " or looked " retarded " . So maybe she did notice because I

am a little " slow " and have some of the recognisable DS features. But

then again it isn't really nice to say some one is slow so I guess she

didn't mention

Anyways, I did eventually tell her, when I felt she was my friend and

would accept me no matter what.

No, I wasn't encouraged to finish high school because I never did

well. I never got much help from my teachers or my parents.

I think that's strange to go all that time and have no idea you have

MDS. I could never imagine that for myself! Maybe you aren't as

affected as I am

Well, both my wife and I had been going through some pretty rough

times when we met. I had lost my parents and she was trying to recover

from an eating disorder. I think, because of that, we became very

connected to each other. We shared everything, helped each other as

much as we could and became so close.

Aron.

>

>

>

>

> >Well, Welcome Aron! Actually, you carry yourself very well in

conversation,

> >and i would have never known that you did not finish High School. I

do not

> >know about the rest of us, but as for my husband and I (both

presumptively

> >believed by the geneticist to have MDS), we both have had trouble with

> >reading comprehension and presenting clear thoughts until our older

years

> >(now 46 and 41<me). We both had much difficulty in school and he

did not

> >graduate either (but no one knows that until now.:0) ) For me, I

graduated

> >from " college " with an associates degree and a diploma in practical

> >nursing. I tell you this because even after graduating, I could not

read

> >and comprehend without rereading and rereading. Actually, i only

acquired

> >that about 6 years ago. i think this is a common thing with some of

us who

> >have Mosaic Down Syndrome. (Perhaps that is our developmental

delay....but

> >I never knew it! Actually, I never knew I had Down Syndrome at all

until

> >this year. To me, it is funny because I guess I thought i was

normal and

> >now I know that we all are normal.)

> You sound like a very intriguing and interesting person (as most

people with

> Mosaicism do to me, even myself.)

> I believe my mother knew all along and failed to tell us. If so,

this is one

> of her better traits and I commend her for that.

> I always knew I was different, but I was not sure how.

> Just curious...did your wife know you had MDS when you met, or did

you have

> to tell her? I did not see any characteristics in my husband at all (or

> myself for that matter) until my son was diagnosed. (and I am a

nurse....go

> figure! I guess i saw the inside first.)

>

>

> _________________________________________________________________

> Get the latest Windows Live Messenger 8.1 Beta version. Join now.

> http://ideas.live.com

>

[Guest guest]

Nice to meet you, too, Angel

Thank you! And my teacher says I write well and am very articulate

(but still not knowing what that means).

You have 6 children? That's great! I wish I had kids but I just don't

My wife and I will someday, I hope.

Aron.

>

> Aron...

>

> well, I for one am thoroughly impressed! Very articulate, I can't

believe

> you were discouraged from finishing high school!!

>

> It's very good to " meet " you...I'm Angel, 34 yrs old, from Southern

> California. I have 6 children, including my son who is 13

and has MDS and

> Hirschsprung's Disease.

>

> Angel

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

I am not sure where you are getting the notion that you are " slow " , because

it is not evident from your writing or your skills. Perhaps you have a

" trained " concept of yourself? You seem to be quite intelligent to me.

Yes, I thought it was strange that they said my son had Down Syndrome, come

to think of it. He looked and acted no different than my girls. Today, we

find it comical. It is weird to wake up one day (40 years later) and have

someone tell you this, especially when most old school thought is that all

of those with DS are mentally retarded.

As for my husband, he has a concept of himself as " slow " , but I never saw it

and I still don't; however, I now see why we have relationship differences

or issues. For us, it is all about behavior. As a matter of fact, now I

understand the " odd " behavior of all of my relatives throughout my 40 years.

As for me, I do not see people with any form of DS as " retarded " or " slow "

because I see all people as unique and different. labels bother me

tremendously.

People made fun of me all throughout school and I never could figure out

why. I was great in Science and Math, but I did poorly in Reading and

History. And to me, i was not bad looking, just average or a little better

(maybe, I look back now and think a little better, but then I thought I was

just normal and average). Apparently, everyone else saw something I did not

and that was a shame. I had friends, but I was NOT in the clique crowd.

Maybe, I wanted to be more popular than what I was. Bottom line is I ALWAYS

knew I was different, but never knew how. It all makes sense to me now. I am

glad I did not know then, and I am glad I know now. I am using my knowledge

to make a difference in the world of Down Syndrome and I am currently

completing my second book. (Who would have ever thought " I " would be a

writer? Not me! I acquired that skill within the last two years along with

heightened creativity.)

I am not big on IQ's and have no desire to find out our IQ's at all. I think

they label and " limit " people. I actually consider those of us with DS as

gifted individuals; it is a shame that some people refuse to see this. We

have a lot to offer the world and too often we are discarded.

I think you are very intelligent and gifted though. I also think you need to

start thinking of yourself in this manner. if it makes you feel any better

(or less " slow " ), my husband could never type as eloquently and

grammatically correct as you have on the computer. I do not even think he

knows how to operate a computer. BUT he is the best darn auto body repairman

I have ever known. He is like a car doctor, both mechanically speaking and

for the outside damage repair as well.

Give yourself major credit. You are doing awesome and I think you are quite

Normal (whatever that is?)

>

>Reply-To: MosaicDS

>To: MosaicDS

>Subject: Re: Introducing Myself

>Date: Tue, 28 Nov 2006 02:32:26 -0000

>

>...

>

>When my wife and I met 8 years ago she didn't seem to notice that I

>had MDS. I always got teased when I was a kid because people thought I

>was " stupid " or looked " retarded " . So maybe she did notice because I

>am a little " slow " and have some of the recognisable DS features. But

>then again it isn't really nice to say some one is slow so I guess she

>didn't mention

>Anyways, I did eventually tell her, when I felt she was my friend and

>would accept me no matter what.

>

>No, I wasn't encouraged to finish high school because I never did

>well. I never got much help from my teachers or my parents.

>

>I think that's strange to go all that time and have no idea you have

>MDS. I could never imagine that for myself! Maybe you aren't as

>affected as I am

>

>Well, both my wife and I had been going through some pretty rough

>times when we met. I had lost my parents and she was trying to recover

>from an eating disorder. I think, because of that, we became very

>connected to each other. We shared everything, helped each other as

>much as we could and became so close.

>

>Aron.

>

>

> >

> >

> >

> >

> > >Well, Welcome Aron! Actually, you carry yourself very well in

>conversation,

> > >and i would have never known that you did not finish High School. I

>do not

> > >know about the rest of us, but as for my husband and I (both

>presumptively

> > >believed by the geneticist to have MDS), we both have had trouble with

> > >reading comprehension and presenting clear thoughts until our older

>years

> > >(now 46 and 41<me). We both had much difficulty in school and he

>did not

> > >graduate either (but no one knows that until now.:0) ) For me, I

>graduated

> > >from " college " with an associates degree and a diploma in practical

> > >nursing. I tell you this because even after graduating, I could not

>read

> > >and comprehend without rereading and rereading. Actually, i only

>acquired

> > >that about 6 years ago. i think this is a common thing with some of

>us who

> > >have Mosaic Down Syndrome. (Perhaps that is our developmental

>delay....but

> > >I never knew it! Actually, I never knew I had Down Syndrome at all

>until

> > >this year. To me, it is funny because I guess I thought i was

>normal and

> > >now I know that we all are normal.)

> > You sound like a very intriguing and interesting person (as most

>people with

> > Mosaicism do to me, even myself.)

> > I believe my mother knew all along and failed to tell us. If so,

>this is one

> > of her better traits and I commend her for that.

> > I always knew I was different, but I was not sure how.

> > Just curious...did your wife know you had MDS when you met, or did

>you have

> > to tell her? I did not see any characteristics in my husband at all (or

> > myself for that matter) until my son was diagnosed. (and I am a

>nurse....go

> > figure! I guess i saw the inside first.)

> >

> >

> > _________________________________________________________________

> > Get the latest Windows Live Messenger 8.1 Beta version. Join now.

> > http://ideas.live.com

> >

>

_________________________________________________________________

Share your latest news with your friends with the Windows Live Spaces

friends module.

http://clk.atdmt.com/MSN/go/msnnkwsp0070000001msn/direct/01/?href=http://spaces.\

live.com/spacesapi.aspx?wx_action=create & wx_url=/friends.aspx & mk

[Guest guest]

I think she means you are articulate in that you present yourself very well.

(A lot of people do not).

If I dd not " know " that you had Down Syndrome of any type from you telling

me, I would not have known. That is honest. (That is probably why your wife

had no idea. ) ;0)

I had no idea about my husband, my kids, or myself...so there I am appearing

really " slow " (because I have a nurses license, I should have known, I

guess?)

I laugh at myself for not seeing it myself sooner.

_________________________________________________________________

Get the latest Windows Live Messenger 8.1 Beta version. Join now.

http://ideas.live.com

[Guest guest]

Hi Aron

What a great inspiration you are to the young families on this board!

Thank you for joining us!

It is not uncommon for individuals to be told they have Down syndrome and

later in life discover they actually have MDS. The reason for this is because

the doctors did not test enough cells when they did the blood test to see if it

was Down syndrome in the first place. We are working on changing this and as we

progress we will send out the news.

I wonder how you found out you had MDS instead of Ds. Would you like to share

that with us?

I am glad to hear you are going back to school to complete your high school

diploma! I know that will make you feel so good. Not to mention the great job

you will be able to get once you have your diploma!

Great to meet you!

Kristy Colvin

Mom to Arron 25, 21, Tim 20 MDS, Stevan 19, and Garrett 10

Aron Wozniak wrote:

Hi, everyone! My name is Aron Wozniak. I'm 32 years and am married to

my wife, a (I call her Misa as a nickname), who is 29. She

doesn't have MDS like I do.

We live in southern Ontario in Canada.

When I was younger my parents were told I had Down Syndrome, but I

found out not too long ago that it's MDS. I've always struggled a lot

in school but that was mostly because I never got the extra help I

needed with my work. It was also extra hard because my family moved

from Poland to Canada when I was 14 and it took quite a while for me

to learn English. But I can speak it well now! At 16 I had to leave

high school because I wasn't encouraged to finish. But now I'm working

to get my high school diploma because it's hard to find a job without

one these days. I do well in school and I'm going to graduate in June.

When I'm not studying for school I like reading, drawing, ice

sculpting (yes, really! and I even won a contest!), skiing, going for

walks, collecting leaves, and cats. I love cats and I have 3 of them!

I didn't want to write too much, I can go on and on. I used to be so

lost when I wrote something, I never knew how to write a proper

sentence or put my thoughts together. But I took a class a few years

ago and look at me now!

Cheers to all of you. May you and your family be well!

Aron.

[Guest guest]

Welcome, Aron, and your wife as well!

It's great that you found us. There are wonderful people here.

Kim

Mom to Mia (10 months/MDS)

Introducing Myself

Hi, everyone! My name is Aron Wozniak. I'm 32 years and am married to

my wife, a (I call her Misa as a nickname), who is 29. She

doesn't have MDS like I do.

We live in southern Ontario in Canada.

When I was younger my parents were told I had Down Syndrome, but I

found out not too long ago that it's MDS. I've always struggled a lot

in school but that was mostly because I never got the extra help I

needed with my work. It was also extra hard because my family moved

from Poland to Canada when I was 14 and it took quite a while for me

to learn English. But I can speak it well now! At 16 I had to leave

high school because I wasn't encouraged to finish. But now I'm working

to get my high school diploma because it's hard to find a job without

one these days. I do well in school and I'm going to graduate in June.

When I'm not studying for school I like reading, drawing, ice

sculpting (yes, really! and I even won a contest!), skiing, going for

walks, collecting leaves, and cats. I love cats and I have 3 of them!

I didn't want to write too much, I can go on and on. I used to be so

lost when I wrote something, I never knew how to write a proper

sentence or put my thoughts together. But I took a class a few years

ago and look at me now!

Cheers to all of you. May you and your family be well!

Aron.

[Guest guest]

Hi Kim. It's nice to meet you.

Aron.

>

> Welcome, Aron, and your wife as well!

> It's great that you found us. There are wonderful people here.

>

> Kim

> Mom to Mia (10 months/MDS)

[Guest guest]

Actually, through most of my life I've never had good self image

because I was never made to believe I was good enough. In my school

there was a Special Needs class that I was in and I felt so ashamed.

All through school I was very shy and quiet. I had such a hard time

speaking to anyone or looking them in the eyes. Every time I wanted to

ask the teacher a question I didn't because I was so afraid of what

she would say. The other kids would always make fun of me and call me

names. Once when I was playing in the park an older girl came up to me

and said " You look different. Do you have Down Syndrome? " It made me

feel centered out. I hated the attention MDS brought me so I always

tried to stay away from other people.

My parents died when I was 22 so I had to live with my brother and his

family. I guess I was very jealous of him because he was " normal " . He

went to university, had a job, a wife, kids...nothing I thought I

could ever have. Come to think of it, people thought of me as a little

kid rather than a 22 years old man. I remember telling that to my

brother and he said he would make it all better. I didn't know what he

meant by that. One day he showed me how to take the bus. The next day

he showed me how to cook and use the stove. Then he showed how to use

a credit card. I learned to do so much by him. Living with him made me

so happy.

While he was in med school I met a friend of him, a. I really

liked her but I was still afraid of talking to other people. Well one

day she started talking to me first! At first I was so shy and

couldn't look at her and I always blushed so I think she thought I was

rejecting her or didn't want to talk. I knew that if I wanted us to be

more than friends I'd have to say something. It's funny that I look

back on it now and I remember writing down everything I would want to

say and practising it over and over again. To make a long story

short...she liked me...and now we are married 6 years

I think that she has really helped me out because I'm much more

confident then I was before. I was so shy and could never talk to

anyone and now look at me ramble on and on and on

I'm very happy with myself now. No, I don't think I'm dumb, but I do

struggle a lot with my schoolwork. When I look in the mirror I love

what I see.

(I could never write well before, but I took a class and worked my

butt off so I'm much better now!)

Thanks to all of you for your kind words, and especialy if you read my

many ramblings

Have nice day!

Aron.

>

> I am not sure where you are getting the notion that you are " slow " ,

because

> it is not evident from your writing or your skills. Perhaps you have a

> " trained " concept of yourself? You seem to be quite intelligent to me.

> Yes, I thought it was strange that they said my son had Down

Syndrome, come

> to think of it. He looked and acted no different than my girls.

Today, we

> find it comical. It is weird to wake up one day (40 years later) and

have

> someone tell you this, especially when most old school thought is

that all

> of those with DS are mentally retarded.

> As for my husband, he has a concept of himself as " slow " , but I

never saw it

> and I still don't; however, I now see why we have relationship

differences

> or issues. For us, it is all about behavior. As a matter of fact, now I

> understand the " odd " behavior of all of my relatives throughout my

40 years.

> As for me, I do not see people with any form of DS as " retarded " or

" slow "

> because I see all people as unique and different. labels bother me

> tremendously.

> People made fun of me all throughout school and I never could figure

out

> why. I was great in Science and Math, but I did poorly in Reading and

> History. And to me, i was not bad looking, just average or a little

better

> (maybe, I look back now and think a little better, but then I

thought I was

> just normal and average). Apparently, everyone else saw something I

did not

> and that was a shame. I had friends, but I was NOT in the clique crowd.

> Maybe, I wanted to be more popular than what I was. Bottom line is I

ALWAYS

> knew I was different, but never knew how. It all makes sense to me

now. I am

> glad I did not know then, and I am glad I know now. I am using my

knowledge

> to make a difference in the world of Down Syndrome and I am currently

> completing my second book. (Who would have ever thought " I " would be a

> writer? Not me! I acquired that skill within the last two years

along with

> heightened creativity.)

> I am not big on IQ's and have no desire to find out our IQ's at all.

I think

> they label and " limit " people. I actually consider those of us with

DS as

> gifted individuals; it is a shame that some people refuse to see

this. We

> have a lot to offer the world and too often we are discarded.

> I think you are very intelligent and gifted though. I also think you

need to

> start thinking of yourself in this manner. if it makes you feel any

better

> (or less " slow " ), my husband could never type as eloquently and

> grammatically correct as you have on the computer. I do not even

think he

> knows how to operate a computer. BUT he is the best darn auto body

repairman

> I have ever known. He is like a car doctor, both mechanically

speaking and

> for the outside damage repair as well.

> Give yourself major credit. You are doing awesome and I think you

are quite

> Normal (whatever that is?)

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Aron

Thanks so much for sharing more about your life. It must have been very hard

for you to lose your parents when you were only 22.

Your story lets the parents here know how important it is not to hold their

children back from doing things they could be capable of doing if only given the

chance! You are proof positive of that!

What happened for you to discover that you had MDS instead of Down syndrome?

Kristy

Aron Wozniak wrote:

Actually, through most of my life I've never had good self image

because I was never made to believe I was good enough. In my school

there was a Special Needs class that I was in and I felt so ashamed.

All through school I was very shy and quiet. I had such a hard time

speaking to anyone or looking them in the eyes. Every time I wanted to

ask the teacher a question I didn't because I was so afraid of what

she would say. The other kids would always make fun of me and call me

names. Once when I was playing in the park an older girl came up to me

and said " You look different. Do you have Down Syndrome? " It made me

feel centered out. I hated the attention MDS brought me so I always

tried to stay away from other people.

My parents died when I was 22 so I had to live with my brother and his

family. I guess I was very jealous of him because he was " normal " . He

went to university, had a job, a wife, kids...nothing I thought I

could ever have. Come to think of it, people thought of me as a little

kid rather than a 22 years old man. I remember telling that to my

brother and he said he would make it all better. I didn't know what he

meant by that. One day he showed me how to take the bus. The next day

he showed me how to cook and use the stove. Then he showed how to use

a credit card. I learned to do so much by him. Living with him made me

so happy.

While he was in med school I met a friend of him, a. I really

liked her but I was still afraid of talking to other people. Well one

day she started talking to me first! At first I was so shy and

couldn't look at her and I always blushed so I think she thought I was

rejecting her or didn't want to talk. I knew that if I wanted us to be

more than friends I'd have to say something. It's funny that I look

back on it now and I remember writing down everything I would want to

say and practising it over and over again. To make a long story

short...she liked me...and now we are married 6 years

I think that she has really helped me out because I'm much more

confident then I was before. I was so shy and could never talk to

anyone and now look at me ramble on and on and on

I'm very happy with myself now. No, I don't think I'm dumb, but I do

struggle a lot with my schoolwork. When I look in the mirror I love

what I see.

(I could never write well before, but I took a class and worked my

butt off so I'm much better now!)

Thanks to all of you for your kind words, and especialy if you read my

many ramblings

Have nice day!

Aron.

Recent Activity

3

New Members

Visit Your Group

[Guest guest]

Kristy...

I think that is a bit of a long long story, so I'm trying to shorten it!

I heard about it and how a lot of the time people with MDS develop

faster than those with DS so I asked for some tests done on me. This

was back when I was insecure and I thought knowing I wasn't completely

affected would make me feel better about myself.

Aron.

>

> Hi Aron

> Thanks so much for sharing more about your life. It must have been

very hard for you to lose your parents when you were only 22.

>

> Your story lets the parents here know how important it is not to

hold their children back from doing things they could be capable of

doing if only given the chance! You are proof positive of that!

>

> What happened for you to discover that you had MDS instead of Down

syndrome?

>

> Kristy

[Guest guest]

Hi Aron

Did it make you feel better about yourself? Did it change your self esteem or

the way you thought about your diagnosis?

Kristy

Aron Wozniak wrote:

Kristy...

I think that is a bit of a long long story, so I'm trying to shorten it!

I heard about it and how a lot of the time people with MDS develop

faster than those with DS so I asked for some tests done on me. This

was back when I was insecure and I thought knowing I wasn't completely

affected would make me feel better about myself.

Aron.

>

> Hi Aron

> Thanks so much for sharing more about your life. It must have been

very hard for you to lose your parents when you were only 22.

>

> Your story lets the parents here know how important it is not to

hold their children back from doing things they could be capable of

doing if only given the chance! You are proof positive of that!

>

> What happened for you to discover that you had MDS instead of Down

syndrome?

>

> Kristy

[Guest guest]

Hello Kristy

I guess in a way it did but not for very long. After a while I

realised that I still struggled to learn, was still shy, had a hard

time making friends and still felt unattractive. Then I kinda knew

that having a different diagnosis wasn't going to make me feel better

about myself. It was something I had to work on for years.

I feel proud of me now.

Aron.

>

> Hi Aron

> Did it make you feel better about yourself? Did it change your

self esteem or the way you thought about your diagnosis?

> Kristy

[Guest guest]

Aron -

You give me so much hope for the future. I am always telling my daughter,

, how smart she is and how beautiful she is - which I really do

believe. Since she is in first grade now - she may not be book smart yet,

but if she wants something she figures out a way to get it done and get what

she wants.

One question for you, what class did you take that helped your writing so

much? I feel inadequate in my writing abilities and would love to be able

to write like you do.

Darlene

>

> Hello Kristy

>

> I guess in a way it did but not for very long. After a while I

> realised that I still struggled to learn, was still shy, had a hard

> time making friends and still felt unattractive. Then I kinda knew

> that having a different diagnosis wasn't going to make me feel better

> about myself. It was something I had to work on for years.

>

> I feel proud of me now.

>

> Aron.

>

>

> >

> > Hi Aron

> > Did it make you feel better about yourself? Did it change your

> self esteem or the way you thought about your diagnosis?

> > Kristy

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Words change and alter DNA in a person forever. Both religious " and " New Age

(or spiritual) people have known this for many years. You are doing the

correct thing to instill " good messages " in your child. My mother always did

that for us (and I think she knew the diagnosis and did not tell us....for

that I am grateful). Too many labels are in existence in society today and

way too many labels exist alongside disabilities. We all have disabilities

and we all have abilities. I wrote abook about accepting differences in

people.

(http://www.iuniverse.com/bookstore/book_detail.asp? & isbn=0-595-37775-0)

The book is written to read from the back cover until you reach the middle,

then you finish from the front cover (meeting in the middle). No one ever

met me in the middle and all they did was label my son derogatorily; this is

why i am happy to accepyt the label with him. (It makes us all " normal "

again.) Additionally, each chapter was written in a different font. The

entire purpose of the book was not only to tell my story, but also to

illustrate " just because it doesn't look like a normal book or read like a

normal book, does not mean it is not normal " (people are the same way).

As far as " creative writing " (as my book illustrates), I did not take any

course except a hard course in the stress of life. Somehow the stress

developed a neural pathway in my brain that triggered my creativity. I am

not exactly certain what writing skills you are referring to, but I took

Comp I and Comp II in college. I guess they helped some, but i always felt

like the teacher was marking up my paper in red ink. (LOL) Despite all the

marks, I did get " A's " in the classes. I seemed to do well in college, but

that is only " textbook " learning and most people can be trained to do that.

(I do realize that some people cannot, though.) I was not Valedictorian , by

far, in High School. As a matter of fact, I got " D/s " in History and I

struggled just to pass P.E. I got A's in Algebra and Chemistry, but I

attribute that to genetics.

If you want to write creatively (browse part of Chapter 1 online for free),

then stress yourself out a bit, then write to recover! (LOL) No, seriously,

there are creative writing courses that you can take in community schools

without enrolling into college again. You should have taken many more

courses in writing than I did if you have a Bachelor's degree in Computer

Science. I only have an Associate Degree in Law Enforcement and a diploma in

nursing (LPN). So, I am really not sure what writing skills you are

referencing. (My unedited e-mail writings are lacking, as I hate

proofreading.)

:0)

>

>Reply-To: MosaicDS

>To: MosaicDS

>Subject: Re: Introducing Myself

>Date: Wed, 29 Nov 2006 09:18:26 -0500

>

>Aron -

>

>You give me so much hope for the future. I am always telling my daughter,

>, how smart she is and how beautiful she is - which I really do

>believe. Since she is in first grade now - she may not be book smart yet,

>but if she wants something she figures out a way to get it done and get

>what

>she wants.

>

>One question for you, what class did you take that helped your writing so

>much? I feel inadequate in my writing abilities and would love to be able

>to write like you do.

>

>Darlene

>

>

> >

> > Hello Kristy

> >

> > I guess in a way it did but not for very long. After a while I

> > realised that I still struggled to learn, was still shy, had a hard

> > time making friends and still felt unattractive. Then I kinda knew

> > that having a different diagnosis wasn't going to make me feel better

> > about myself. It was something I had to work on for years.

> >

> > I feel proud of me now.

> >

> > Aron.

> >

> >

> > >

> > > Hi Aron

> > > Did it make you feel better about yourself? Did it change your

> > self esteem or the way you thought about your diagnosis?

> > > Kristy

> >

> >

> >

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

My bad!

Darlene,

I just reread the e-mail and realized you had sent that to Aron. The return

address said Darlene rather than MDS yahoo groups. My sincere apologies. ;0(

P.S. Aron, you do write well.

>

>Reply-To: MosaicDS

>To: MosaicDS

>Subject: Re: Introducing Myself

>Date: Wed, 29 Nov 2006 09:18:26 -0500

>

>Aron -

>

>You give me so much hope for the future. I am always telling my daughter,

>, how smart she is and how beautiful she is - which I really do

>believe. Since she is in first grade now - she may not be book smart yet,

>but if she wants something she figures out a way to get it done and get

>what

>she wants.

>

>One question for you, what class did you take that helped your writing so

>much? I feel inadequate in my writing abilities and would love to be able

>to write like you do.

>

>Darlene

>

>

> >

> > Hello Kristy

> >

> > I guess in a way it did but not for very long. After a while I

> > realised that I still struggled to learn, was still shy, had a hard

> > time making friends and still felt unattractive. Then I kinda knew

> > that having a different diagnosis wasn't going to make me feel better

> > about myself. It was something I had to work on for years.

> >

> > I feel proud of me now.

> >

> > Aron.

> >

> >

> > >

> > > Hi Aron

> > > Did it make you feel better about yourself? Did it change your

> > self esteem or the way you thought about your diagnosis?

> > > Kristy

> >

> >

> >

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Darlene...

I don't know where you live, but in Canada I was able to take a few

classes to help with my writing. I first took a class " Learning

Skills " which helped to understand sentence structure, grammar,

spelling, etc. I'm sure you wouldn't need that though but I did before

because I could never even get those things down right. After I got

those skills down I took a few other classes that were more specific

about the kinds of writing. The classes pretty much covered article

writing, essay writing, creative writing and poetry. I'm sure there

are classes for any kind of writing you're interested in developing. I

think there are courses anywhere focused on writing.

I don't know if that helped, but writing classes were easy to find in

my area.

I wish your daughter luck! I know she will do well!

Aron.

>

> Aron -

>

> You give me so much hope for the future. I am always telling my

daughter,

> , how smart she is and how beautiful she is - which I really do

> believe. Since she is in first grade now - she may not be book

smart yet,

> but if she wants something she figures out a way to get it done and

get what

> she wants.

>

> One question for you, what class did you take that helped your

writing so

> much? I feel inadequate in my writing abilities and would love to

be able

> to write like you do.

>

> Darlene

[Guest guest]

thanks Aron.

>

> Darlene...

>

> I don't know where you live, but in Canada I was able to take a few

> classes to help with my writing. I first took a class " Learning

> Skills " which helped to understand sentence structure, grammar,

> spelling, etc. I'm sure you wouldn't need that though but I did before

> because I could never even get those things down right. After I got

> those skills down I took a few other classes that were more specific

> about the kinds of writing. The classes pretty much covered article

> writing, essay writing, creative writing and poetry. I'm sure there

> are classes for any kind of writing you're interested in developing. I

> think there are courses anywhere focused on writing.

>

> I don't know if that helped, but writing classes were easy to find in

> my area.

>

> I wish your daughter luck! I know she will do well!

>

> Aron.

>

>

> >

> > Aron -

> >

> > You give me so much hope for the future. I am always telling my

> daughter,

> > , how smart she is and how beautiful she is - which I really do

> > believe. Since she is in first grade now - she may not be book

> smart yet,

> > but if she wants something she figures out a way to get it done and

> get what

> > she wants.

> >

> > One question for you, what class did you take that helped your

> writing so

> > much? I feel inadequate in my writing abilities and would love to

> be able

> > to write like you do.

> >

> > Darlene

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Aron, you're such an inspiration to this group! I'm so happy you found

us and willing to share your stories with us! I am 33 and my son with mds

is 10 yrs. old. He has an older brother who is 14 and a younger sister who

is 9. We live in land.

>

>Reply-To: MosaicDS

>To: MosaicDS

>Subject: Re: Introducing Myself

>Date: Tue, 28 Nov 2006 21:04:56 -0000

>

>Actually, through most of my life I've never had good self image

>because I was never made to believe I was good enough. In my school

>there was a Special Needs class that I was in and I felt so ashamed.

>All through school I was very shy and quiet. I had such a hard time

>speaking to anyone or looking them in the eyes. Every time I wanted to

>ask the teacher a question I didn't because I was so afraid of what

>she would say. The other kids would always make fun of me and call me

>names. Once when I was playing in the park an older girl came up to me

>and said " You look different. Do you have Down Syndrome? " It made me

>feel centered out. I hated the attention MDS brought me so I always

>tried to stay away from other people.

>

>My parents died when I was 22 so I had to live with my brother and his

>family. I guess I was very jealous of him because he was " normal " . He

>went to university, had a job, a wife, kids...nothing I thought I

>could ever have. Come to think of it, people thought of me as a little

>kid rather than a 22 years old man. I remember telling that to my

>brother and he said he would make it all better. I didn't know what he

>meant by that. One day he showed me how to take the bus. The next day

>he showed me how to cook and use the stove. Then he showed how to use

>a credit card. I learned to do so much by him. Living with him made me

>so happy.

>

>While he was in med school I met a friend of him, a. I really

>liked her but I was still afraid of talking to other people. Well one

>day she started talking to me first! At first I was so shy and

>couldn't look at her and I always blushed so I think she thought I was

>rejecting her or didn't want to talk. I knew that if I wanted us to be

>more than friends I'd have to say something. It's funny that I look

>back on it now and I remember writing down everything I would want to

>say and practising it over and over again. To make a long story

>short...she liked me...and now we are married 6 years

>

>I think that she has really helped me out because I'm much more

>confident then I was before. I was so shy and could never talk to

>anyone and now look at me ramble on and on and on

>I'm very happy with myself now. No, I don't think I'm dumb, but I do

>struggle a lot with my schoolwork. When I look in the mirror I love

>what I see.

>

>(I could never write well before, but I took a class and worked my

>butt off so I'm much better now!)

>

>Thanks to all of you for your kind words, and especialy if you read my

>many ramblings

>

>Have nice day!

>

>Aron.

>

>

>

> >

> > I am not sure where you are getting the notion that you are " slow " ,

>because

> > it is not evident from your writing or your skills. Perhaps you have a

> > " trained " concept of yourself? You seem to be quite intelligent to me.

> > Yes, I thought it was strange that they said my son had Down

>Syndrome, come

> > to think of it. He looked and acted no different than my girls.

>Today, we

> > find it comical. It is weird to wake up one day (40 years later) and

>have

> > someone tell you this, especially when most old school thought is

>that all

> > of those with DS are mentally retarded.

> > As for my husband, he has a concept of himself as " slow " , but I

>never saw it

> > and I still don't; however, I now see why we have relationship

>differences

> > or issues. For us, it is all about behavior. As a matter of fact, now I

> > understand the " odd " behavior of all of my relatives throughout my

>40 years.

> > As for me, I do not see people with any form of DS as " retarded " or

> " slow "

> > because I see all people as unique and different. labels bother me

> > tremendously.

> > People made fun of me all throughout school and I never could figure

>out

> > why. I was great in Science and Math, but I did poorly in Reading and

> > History. And to me, i was not bad looking, just average or a little

>better

> > (maybe, I look back now and think a little better, but then I

>thought I was

> > just normal and average). Apparently, everyone else saw something I

>did not

> > and that was a shame. I had friends, but I was NOT in the clique crowd.

> > Maybe, I wanted to be more popular than what I was. Bottom line is I

>ALWAYS

> > knew I was different, but never knew how. It all makes sense to me

>now. I am

> > glad I did not know then, and I am glad I know now. I am using my

>knowledge

> > to make a difference in the world of Down Syndrome and I am currently

> > completing my second book. (Who would have ever thought " I " would be a

> > writer? Not me! I acquired that skill within the last two years

>along with

> > heightened creativity.)

> > I am not big on IQ's and have no desire to find out our IQ's at all.

>I think

> > they label and " limit " people. I actually consider those of us with

>DS as

> > gifted individuals; it is a shame that some people refuse to see

>this. We

> > have a lot to offer the world and too often we are discarded.

> > I think you are very intelligent and gifted though. I also think you

>need to

> > start thinking of yourself in this manner. if it makes you feel any

>better

> > (or less " slow " ), my husband could never type as eloquently and

> > grammatically correct as you have on the computer. I do not even

>think he

> > knows how to operate a computer. BUT he is the best darn auto body

>repairman

> > I have ever known. He is like a car doctor, both mechanically

>speaking and

> > for the outside damage repair as well.

> > Give yourself major credit. You are doing awesome and I think you

>are quite

> > Normal (whatever that is?)

> >

>

_________________________________________________________________

Get FREE company branded e-mail accounts and business Web site from

Microsoft Office Live

http://clk.atdmt.com/MRT/go/mcrssaub0050001411mrt/direct/01/

[Guest guest]

Thank you! I haven't been here long but there are wonderful people

here. You are all so kind!

Aron.

>

> Aron, you're such an inspiration to this group! I'm so happy

you found

> us and willing to share your stories with us! I am 33 and my son

with mds

> is 10 yrs. old. He has an older brother who is 14 and a younger

sister who

> is 9. We live in land.