Something that has been pressing in my heart since Lana was born.  After speaking with countless doctors and therapists, I quickly learned that a word that is used throughout society to describe someone that is acting dumb or goofy was now tied to my beautiful daughter.  I must say, it hurt.  At first, it hurt that the doctors would dare describe my daughters condition as such, but after much thought and research I wanted to reclaim the word for it’s intended definition.  I wanted all of my friends and family to stop the misuse of the r-word.  I posted blog posts, sent emails, had many conversations informing people of how hurtful the word was when used in inappropriate careless ways.  I also designed and created t-shirts to hand out and sell.  I’ve been spreading the word for over three years now, but today I’m happy to see the cause is nationalized.

Soeren Palumbo has made a huge impact in creating awareness since his brilliant speech that he delivered to a gymnasium full of his high school peers and faculty and received a standing ovation.

The use of the r-word is offensive and hurtful, even when it is inadvertently used.  It is hurtful to the millions with mental retardation as well as their loved ones.

I find it interesting that insulting somebody by using such words as “Alzheimer… Cancer… AIDS… etc” carelessly would not be taken as a joke nor lightly yet, using another disease such as retardation as an insult is common among society.

It is NEVER appropriate to use the words “retard” or “retarded” in a careless or an insulting way.

I encourage you all to be more conscious of the words that you use and hope that you will take a pledge to stop saying the R-word on www.r-word.org.

I’m so glad that Lana had such an incredible experience on this day that is so special to me and my family.  This is our 3rd World Down syndrome (Ds) Awareness Day!  We have been so blessed to be apart of this amazing adventure with Lana.  We will celebrate her 4th birthday next month and from the day we were told of her diagnosis it has been nothing but a learning and growing opportunity.  By catering to her needs we have made several lifestyle changes that has enriched our lives and enabled us live a much more satisfying and conscious lifestyle.  She has indirectly brought us to our own inner peace and acceptance.  We have embraced her uniqueness and similarities, and continue to fall deeper in love with the person she is and is becoming.  Lana is a treasure that is unexplainable and undeniable.

Fifty years ago, Professor Jerome Lejeune discovered the copied chromosome determined to cause Down Syndrome. This day commemorated on March 21, 2009, on World Down Syndrome Day. Though the syndrome itself is named after 19th century British doctor John Langdon Down, Lejeune’s discovery is considered the most essential piece in the medical understanding of Down Syndrome.

Down Syndrome organizations around the world this year will pay tribute to the pioneering work of Professor Lejeune and celebrate the tremendous advances in the care and social welfare of people with Down Syndrome over the past fifty years.

“Professor Lejeune provided inspiration to parents and professionals who met him, and drew strength and hope from his optimism and his simple and profound dedication to humanity. The Lejeune Institute in Paris continues to sponsor research in this area” said Mrs. Penny Robertson, President of Down Syndrome International. “But while there is much to be proud of in western countries in the services provided for people and families with Down syndrome, there is still an enormous amount of work to be done in many countries” including our own.  More to follow on March 31st.

To be honest, with this being my first shoot with the “Littlest Heroes Project” I wasn’t sure how I would react with my first little hero to photograph.  I wasn’t sure how he and his family would react.  After a few minutes of introduction and tapping into their personalities I felt even more inspired and moved to capture Landon’s true essence.  My heart was so into this shoot, because going through my personal experiences with my daughter Lana, who has Down syndrome, I knew that even with the diagnosis’ Landon is not defined by that alone.  Landon is Landon who happens to be fighting a hard battle bravely.  So it was my mission to capture “Landon”.

At the completion of our time together I felt even prouder to be a part of their lives for a couple of hours.  Landon was a delight to be around and the love and compassion that his family has for him is beautiful.  I will forever hold him and his family in my heart and prayers.

I would like to quickly share a story that his father told me about Landon’s resilience and strength.   Landon saw two 10 pound weights on the floor.  He walked up to them, squatted in-between both dumbbells and tightly wrapped his fingers around the bars.  He lifted them with all the strength that he had and walked from one side of the room to the other.  During that time, he might have struggled and he could have given up but he didn’t.  He made it by himself with no help to the other side.  Even though he is only 3 years old, he has the courage and might of a champion.  That is why he is not only an inspiration to others but one of my heroes.

Please keep this family in your prayers as Landon faces yet another surgery on April 1st.

If you are not familiar with the Littlest Heroes Project, it is a non-profit based organization made up of professional photographers nationwide who provide free photo sessions to our nations Littlest Heroes…children that have had extraordinary challenges.  They are often misunderstood because of the illnesses which they have to war against day after day, but we photographers have the privileged of  documenting their true stories.  It’s something that is near and dear to my heart.  I had been seeking a program like this for nearly a year, when after hours and hours…and hours of research, I finally felt this program was what I was looking for.  I’m honored to capture and share the beauty and essence that these little heroes possess.