Friday's Top Five: Mini Blogs

Blog 6 in the Make A Difference blog series from the students of Shepherds College

Today’s blog is actually five mini blogs from several different students. One of the students submitted multiple mini blogs on different topics, but forgot to put her name on them. I’ll be using two of her blogs, so what you have below is a compilation of writings from four different authors.

      1.       I don’t like loud noises. I put cotton or ear plugs in my ears when it gets too loud and I can’t concentrate. My favorite Bible story is the story of Joseph because it teaches us forgiveness and that God is always in control no matter the circumstances. My favorite part about my classes is that there is always something fun to do, such as fun and interesting worksheets, activities and acting out our Bible studies that we are reading. My most favorite memories here at Shepherds College are spending time in my dorms with the girls and second- and third-year students on the activities we go to, such as picnicking at Lake Michigan, the lighthouse, the art fair, the zoo, and supporting a staff member at her 6K run.  ~Sarah

 

      2.       I learned by making new friends and meeting new people. God does everything for us. I learned how to do chores, and we also go shopping and out for treats. Sometimes we go to the book shop. We went mini golfing and on the hayride. In class we learned about time and math and money.  ~Ryan

3.       I came to Shepherds College because I wanted brighter classes and I wanted better living space. I love coming to Shepherds College. I am so blessed that I am here. I have so many favorite staff here. I love Roots of Faith because I had Mrs. Fye. I love her class because I had so much fun learning in her class. I had so much fun in her class because we learned a lot.  ~ Anonymous

4.       My favorite memory at Shepherds College is living in Home A, and coming to Shepherds College to see all my favorite staff, and going to cooking every day. I love being here. I’m having the best time of my life.  ~Anonymous

      5.       My favorite Bible story is the one about Queen Esther and how she saved her people, the Jews. I really love this story because I think of myself sometimes as a queen, or princess, in God’s sight. My Dad has talked about this character a lot. This is only one of my favorite Bible stories from His Word. It teaches us that if we rely on Him, He will save, and be with us always forever. I’m really glad that I decided to come here to this college. I just cannot believe how the months and the days have been flying by so quickly.  ~ Audrey 

 



 
Shepherds College - Guiding Your Transition to Appropriate Independence. Please visit us at www.shepherdscollege.edu.

A Blog from Bethany

I received an email a few weeks ago from Andrew Kolkman, the Residential Life Manager. A service project he planned for the students for Make a Difference Day fell through and he was looking for projects around campus that would help out the staff. Did I have anything in my office for the students to do?

Since October was National Down Syndrome Awareness Month and Shepherds College was participating in the 31 for 21 Blog Challenge, I emailed back, “I need blogs! Can the students sit down and write as an act of service?  :)”

I expected a polite “:)” in return.

What I got back was an enthusiastic, “That’s a fantastic idea!” followed by a list of possible topics the students could write about and a suggested publishing schedule. I stood up and hugged my monitor. What a glorious moment in the life of a blogger - new co-bloggers! 

 

Here is the first of several blogs written by our students. This one is written by Bethany, a second-year student in our Culinary Arts program.

 The Girl who was Terrified of College

When I was in elementary school, I went to a private school. It was for people with high I.Q.s.

Why did I go there?

Because my parents thought that I was like my two brothers and everybody else in my life. When I was in second grade, I got tested and my parents found out that my I.Q. was lower than what they thought. I was taken out of that school and was moved to homeschool.

I did very well in homeschool. There were some public school teachers who checked up on me. They were very impressed. I learned to read at a 6^th grade level.

My mother and I discovered Heritage Homeschool Workshops. I did it with normal people. And I did very well there. I did American Literature and Science. I graduated from there.

I went to my cousin’s college graduation. I thought, “I can’t attend college, it’s just too hard.” I was terrified and my stomach was doing flip flops.

My Mom and Dad and I saw an article in a magazine about Shepherds College and we were rejoicing because that was an answer to prayer. I went to Shepherds College and found out I wasn’t alone, there were others with disabilities. I was pleasantly surprised to see I was one of the youngest, because I am used to being the oldest all the time.

I am doing well here. 

And so can you.

 

Shepherds College - Guiding Your Transition to Appropriate Independence. Please visit us at www.shepherdscollege.edu.

Friday's Top Five: More 31 for 21 Blogs

Day 19 of the 31 for 21 Challenge

I’ve read a lot of blogs on Down syndrome this month.

Most were written by tired, concerned, proud, loving moms who are determined to make a difference - to change a mind, or change a society - in an effort to make this world a better, more accepting place for their children with Down syndrome, and others like them.

Some were written by professional journalists/authors/bloggers whose carefully selected words drew me into their world of Down syndrome, doctor visits, milestones and miracles in a way that made parenting a child with disabilities a very real experience, if only for the moments I was engaged in their story.

And some were simply photo albums, visual journals of the special moments in the life of a child with Down syndrome.

All had value. And that’s what made it so tough to pick five to highlight for you today!

So I decided to go a more whimsical route in selecting today’s 31 for 21 blogs. I picked titles that included qualities I admire in my friends and hope to cultivate in myself: grace, hope, joy and love.

1.       Grace Upon Grace –

           Lisa writes this blog on her family's life, including her daughter Magdalena who has Down syndrome and an AV canal heart defect. Occasionally she also offers her reflections, passes on suggestions, and shares some ideas.

2.       Breathe Hope – 

Claire’s daughter has Down syndrome. She believes that Elina brings a little more light into this hard, confusing world. She writes to share that light.

3.       Discovering Joy – 

Bahama Mama is a Marine spouse who knows each of her three children is a blessing from God, made in His likeness with no mistakes. Her youngest Danielle has three copies of her 21^st chromosome. She writes about embracing that little “something extra.”

4.       Love Life and Be Gentle – 

Shannon has a happy home - two girls, two boys, one with an extra special chromosome. She writes about loving life. And being gentle.

5.       Unexpected Joy – 

Tami and her husband adopted a child with Down syndrome through the foster care system. Through this blog, she wants to share about her family, and how life is good, but different, caring for a child who has a disability.

Whether it’s these blogs or others, please share your favorites with us too!

 


Shepherds College - Guiding Your Transition to Appropriate Independence. Please visit us at www.shepherdscollege.edu.

Friday's Top Five: The Building Blogs of Life

Day 5 of the 31 for 21Challenge

  

I have a cool relationship with the students of Shepherds College. I’m not one of their teachers so the behaviors associated with the classroom don’t apply when they see me. I don’t pass their meds, I don’t assign chores, I’m not responsible for their discipline, and I don’t tell them what time they have to turn out the lights.

I’m the woman who writes about them and takes a lot of pictures. I walk down the hallways with a camera, a notebook and an open invitation to talk. When they see me, a few shy students hide, but mostly I get big smiles, high fives, hugs, invitations to hang out with them, and a lot of posing for the camera along with requests to “Put that one on Facebook!”

Kameelah

I’ve fallen in love with these guys. They are a part of my work, my life and my world. I consider them friends.

Lindsay

Sam

Sean

Because they are my friends, I learn all I can about them so I can represent them and their experiences at Shepherds College accurately and well.

A part of learning about them is learning about their disability so I do a lot of reading, especially blogs. With their first-hand knowledge, blog writers – good ones – are honest with their emotions and show a depth of understanding that only intimate familiarity with the subject can bring. 

Since it’s National Down Syndrome Awareness Month, I want to direct you to some of my favorite blogs on this disability. Grab a cup of coffee or a hot chocolate on this fall day, get comfy and start reading. Share the links and invite your friends to read these with you. Talk about them later. Were they hard to read? Too brutal in their honesty? Could you relate to their stories as a parent? Did they make you cry? Have you struggled over the same issues as the writers? And most importantly, did these blogs give you a greater understanding of people with Down syndrome and the people who love them? I hope so. It’s the point of this month – to build awareness of Down syndrome, to include people with Down syndrome in your community, and to accept people of all abilities into your world.

Caroline

Happy reading!

1.       Gillian Marchenko - http://www.gillianmarchenko.com/

Gillian writes about stumbling faith, Down syndrome, adoption, grace, the occasional spoonful of peanut butter & sometimes the whole jar.

2.       Ellen Stumbo: A Mom that Writes - http://www.ellenstumbo.com/the-blog/

Ellen is a mom writing about finding beauty in brokenness. This month she is sharing her story of finding out her daughter had Down syndrome and the first few weeks of her life.

3.       A Perfect Lily - http://babynumber10.blogspot.com/

Patti started this blog during the pregnancy of her tenth child, Lily Anne. Lily’s birth, diagnosis and life made a profound impact on their family and the lives around them. Patti hopes this blog makes a profound impact on yours.

4.       The Chronicles of Ellie Bellie Bear - http://ellietheurer.blogspot.com/p/about-blog.html

Anna originally started this blog as a means to keep everyone updated about Ellie's health status and to educate her friends and family about Down syndrome and sensory processing disorder [SPD].  In the past year, her blog has evolved to include a snapshot of their day-to-day lives, developmental progress reports, and entertaining stories about her 4-legged fur babies and husband's DIY endeavors.

5.       Just a Little Muchier Muchness - http://superdownsy.blogspot.com/

We shouldn't be Us and Them. We are all just parents and people trying to listen and live. Through this blog, Tiffany is hoping to lift the veil between us with peeks at her life with her daughter with Down syndrome.

Shepherds College - Guiding Your Transition to Appropriate Independence. Please visit us at www.shepherdscollege.edu.