More About Us

I recently asked my friend, Deanna, fellow Down syndrome blogger from Everything and Nothing from Essex, if there is a whole new generation of Down syndrome bloggers who document their babies' journey as we have been doing for almost 7 years now.  She said that she believes that the new moms tend to utilize Instagram, Facebook, and other social media to share their stories these days.  

Maybe I'm behind the times sitting here typing away on a laptop on this ancient blog but I am kind of partial to it; besides, sometimes I get a little too wordy for an Instagram post.  And don't even get me started on Facebook.  That's just not my scene.  But I digress...I still receive emails from new parents who have stumbled upon our blog and most of them don't even address me by name because they don't know my name.  So today, I hope to rectify that by sharing a synopsis of our story and the evolution of this blog.  (Gee, I sound like a 5th grader giving a book report).
Hi, I'm Elizabeth.  The dark haired baby pictured in the photo above.  That adorable blond-haired girl in pigtails holding me is my big sister, Leanne.  Yes, she is my biological sister despite what it looks like.  And yes, she has Down syndrome.  This picture was taken *ahem* thirty-some-odd years ago.
What was it like growing up with a sister with Down syndrome?  I don't know.  Leanne was the only sibling I had, so she was "normal" to me.  When I grew up and moved away for college, I missed my sister a lot.  To help fill the void, I started seeking out opportunities to volunteer within the special needs community.  After all, this is "normal" to me.  This feels like home.  These are my people.

For most on the sibling experience, click HEREHEREHERE, and HERE.
In college, I met this total dreamboat named Travis.  Travis was the sweetest, kindest, most patient and gentle young man you'll ever meet.  He loved me and just as importantly, he loved Leanne.  She loved him, too.  We decided we better keep him around long-term so when he popped the question, I said "Yes!"  Four months later, we skipped college graduation (don't worry - they mailed us our diplomas) and we got hitched!  Leanne was my maid of honor (or "Best Woman" as she preferred to call it) because, I mean, who else?
The next 8 years were quite adventurous.  Travis' career had us living in 7 different cities within 6 different states.  When we ended up back in the Midwest, just 3 hours from my mom and Leanne, and it felt right to settle down and start a family.  I worked in financial development for a nonprofit doing grant writing, and I had been volunteering at this organization that provides care and programs for children with special needs.  That's where I fell in love with this chunky little baby boy with Down syndrome.  I came home and talked about him constantly.  I don't remember the exact moment where I declared that I wanted to adopt our own baby with Down syndrome, and Travis doesn't either, but the adoption journey became our next major adventure.

For more on adoption, click HEREHERE, and HERE.
The 3 short months it took to complete our home study was as long as we had to wait for placement.  Enter Josie.  The most life-altering blessing that had ever been bestowed upon us.  But the real magic was seeing the immediate bond between Josie and Leanne.

To see some videos of Josie and Leanne's relationship, click HEREHERE, and HERE, or check out the hashtag #JosieAndLeanneLoveFest
And this, my friends, is where Confessions of the Chromosomally Enhanced started.  From 2010 on, this blog is where we've documented our family's journey.  From growing up with a sibling with Down syndrome to Josie's health challenges to milestones...it's all here.  

A friend was recently telling me that when you give birth to a baby with Down syndrome, the medical staff gives you a list of every possible challenge you can encounter along your Down syndrome journey.  Since adopting Josie, I gave birth to two typically developing kids and no one ever gave me a list of all of the challenges they may encounter.  Can you imagine?!  Your child may get cancer, they may be in a car accident, they may experience teen pregnancy, drug overdose...If every mother were handed a list like that, leaving the hospital with this newborn would be trepidatious instead of joyous.
That's where Down Syndrome blogs serve the simple purpose of showing glimpses into the daily lives of people who have a family member with Down syndrome.  As a Down syndrome blogger, I offer both the sibling (you have to check out Aunt Leanne's Top 5) and the parent perspective.  
And while I've documented the challenges that we have faced, I hope the overall tone of Confessions of the Chromosomally Enhanced paints a positive picture of life with Down syndrome.  Leanne is the single most influential person in my life and if you ask Josie, she'll tell you that she's my "dream come true."  She is!
We welcome feedback of any Down syndrome blogs that our readers recommend.  We welcome questions that you would like us to answer.  And if you just can't get enough of CCE, check us out on Instagram @CatfishWithKetchup.  Updates are more frequent there.

Thanks for reading!
Elizabeth

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