“Mrs. Schulz, this is Alice at Food City…”   (my heart stops: what’s wrong?). “Billy is getting an award this afternoon at 3:00; I thought you would like to be here.”

Would I? I called Mary and we met at Food City a little before 3:00. Billy saw us and declared, “Mom, I getting a ward!” He was beaming as he led us to the meeting room at the back of the store. Chairs were arranged for seating and refreshments were placed on tables: chips, dips, vegetables, fruit -a generous assortment. Billy sat on the front row with his friend Michelle, I sat behind them, and Mary found a place where she could take pictures unobtrusively.

Brandon, the store manager, explained the awards to be granted for community commitment and for length of time employed at Food City. Billy was called to the front and presented with a pin representing ten years of employment at Food City, a chain of over 100 grocery stores in Tennessee, West Virginia, and Kentucky. It is a beautiful pin with 3 small rubies and a diamond. Billy accepted the pin with a big grin on his face, sat down and showed it to Michelle.

With tears running down my cheeks, I recalled the difficulty of our moving from North Carolina to Tennessee ten years ago, the anxiety of  finding a job, learning new skills and trying to avoid stressful situations. I thought of Jonathan, the friend who taught Billy the unforeseen  ropes and offered his friendship.

And I thought of Billy’s work experience: 21 years at Hunter Library in North Carolina and 10 years at Food City. That represents an employment record to be envied by anyone.

Not bad for a man who was diagnosed “trainable” as a child.

On January 28, I be 56 YEARS OLD.

I am born, January 28, 1956. And now I BE 56. That is the same number. Hunh. I like that.

Now I not be 55 any more. But I like that, be 55. It is a good year. But I be 56, now that’s bether!

Now I going to be a old, old man. But I like it.

You know what? Alan Alda born on January 28. Plays on M.A.S.H. I like that show, and it is so funny.

Know who else born on January 28? Is Elijah Wood, plays that hobbit in Lord of the Rings. I not like that movie, it’s too scary for me.

This is my brother Tom. And me.

Now, I got a good one for my brother Tom, loves art. Know who else born on January 28? Is Jackson Pollock. And Jackson Pollock DIED in 1956. Not me, I be BORN in 1956. That’s bether. But my nathew Warren and my brother Tom did paint like Jackson Pollock and my sister put that up over Warren’s windows, hah looks nice. You like it. I like Warren’s room when Warren comes home from college. I get a big, big hug on my nathew.

And nother one born on January 28 is Claes Oldenburg, nother artist, makes big, big sculptures like clothespin and bowling pins. I take care of my mom’s laundry for her, foldem up for her. And I play bowling on that WII with my neighbor name is Richard.

AND, nother one born on January 28 is my friend from church, Dr. Boggan. He is my doctor. Dr. Boggan says I’m doing pretty good for a old, old man.

This is my family, clapping for me.

You born on January 28? No? Well, I am, and it is big, special day. Everybody is so nice to me. You be nice to me, I like that. I be nice to you on your birthday, I promise, you mind me. But on MY birthday, is on Saturday, you not forget  it, okay? And if you forget, you tell me on Sunday. I like it, my birthday last a long, long time.

I hope I get a big surprise on my birthday. But not a box of frogs.

Now I gotta big surprise for you. It is a recipe. My sister make that up for me special, I drink it I go to her house for dinner. My brother John like it, too. I hope you like it!

The January 28 Cocktail

Fill a glass with crushed ice.
Fill it one-third full with pomegranate juice.
Fill it to the top with plain seltzer.
Spritz with lime juice, and add a thin lime slice for garnish.

Try it! It’s good! An my sister says it’s got antioxidants, keep me in good shape! Cheers!

My famous January 28 Cocktail. Cheers!

Love,

Billy

The following news was distributed by Disability Scoop:

Girl With Down Syndrome Lands Modeling Deal By Shaun Heasley, November 28, 2011

At a mere 14-months-old, Taya Kennedy is poised to take the modeling world by storm. And it just so happens that she has Down syndrome.

The toddler was one of 50 kids recently selected out of 2,000 who applied to the sought-after Urban Angels modeling agency in London, which represents kids who model for Stella McCartney, H&M and other big names.

Kennedy is already slated to appear in advertising for Early Learning Centre — a toy store — and the children’s clothing shop, Mothercare, both of which have locations around the globe.

Officials at the modeling agency say they chose Kennedy because she’s an “incredibly photogenic, warm and smiley child.” They say her disability played no role in whether or not she was selected.

“That she has Down’s syndrome did not enter the equation. We chose her because of her vibrancy and sense of fun,” the owner of the agency told the (London) Daily Mail.

“That she has Down’s syndrome did not enter the equation.”

—
Now that’s what I’m talking about! — Jane Schulz

Lauren Potter, who plays cheerleader Becky Jackson on Fox's "Glee," has been appointed to serve on the President's Committee for People with Intellectual Disabilities. (Michael Yarish/FOX)

Adults with Down syndrome are speaking up for their rights and participating in events related to their interests and needs. As reported on Disability Scoop, a recent opportunity has been presented by President Obama for a young actress, Lauren Potter, to serve on the President’s Committee for People with Intellectual Disabilities.
Lauren, who has Down syndrome, portrays a cheerleader on the award winning TV show “Glee.” The committee Lauren will join consists of 21 citizens and 13 federal representatives who are charged with advising the president and the secretary of health and human services on issues pertaining to Americans with intellectual disabilities. Her recognition on “Glee” led Lauren to become involved nationally as a self-advocate, speaking out against use of the word “retard” and the bullying of people with disabilities.
Lauren is pictured with Jane Lynch, who portrays the cynical physical education teacher on “Glee.” Ms. Lynch is the sister of a young woman with Down syndrome who died recently. This event was poignantly portrayed on an episode of the program. (A discussion of this episode appears on my blog entitled “Life Expectancy”.)

Television has the potential and opportunity to promote awareness of and respect for persons with disabilities. We celebrate the enlightenment that “Glee” has advanced.

In addition to National Down Syndrome Awareness Month, October is also National Disability Employment Awareness Month. How appropriate that they occur in the same month!

In the last few years, we have seen many adults with Down syndrome in the workplace. Billy is one of them; he has worked at Food City in Kingsport for over 10 years. He was originally hired by Ed Moore, who has been a manager at the grocery chain for over fifty years. His philosophy is one that might be adopted by all employers.

Click on the image to see the Grown Man Now Interview Series; “Current Employment” is the name of this interview with Mr. Moore.

Interview with Mr. Ed Moore, Food City Manager

We also see adults with other disabilities in a number of work situations. Employers have found that many people formerly considered unemployable can be valuable members of the work force if they are trained properly and given the opportunity. Our president emphasizes their value to our nation in declaring October  National Disability Employment Awareness Month.

Utilizing the talents of all Americans is essential for our Nation to out-innovate, out-educate, and out-build the rest of the world. During National Disability Employment Awareness Month, we recognize the skills that people with disabilities bring to our workforce, and we rededicate ourselves to improving employment opportunities in both the public and private sectors for those living with disabilities…

— Barack Obama, President of the United States of America

Are you aware of the many adults with disabilities at work in your community?

Since October is Down Syndrome Awareness Month, it seems a good time to look at what it means to have Down syndrome. First of all, what does the name mean? Langdon Down was a physician who first identified characteristics of people previously called Mongoloid, due to the slanted eyes seen in natives of Mongolia. Down is capitalized because it is a proper noun; syndrome is not because it is a list of identifying characteristics seen in a particular population.

Because of the similarity of physical characteristics, it is frequently assumed that children and adults with Down syndrome are always alike in other ways. The truth is that they may be quite different in personality, temperament and intelligence. The video displayed is a good way to look at these individual differences.

Ten Things People with Down Syndrome Would Like You to Know

My son Billy, for example, was raised in a family with three other children, a father of German descent, raised in the mid-west, and a mother of English-Scotch-Irish descent, raised in the south. He has characteristics of both parents and a personality of his own. If you have questions about Down syndrome or Billy, I will be happy to answer them. If you have specific questions about the causes and demographics of Down syndrome, you can Google Down syndrome and find numerous sources.

I welcome your questions and comments.

I got a problem. Every mornin me an my mom watch Regis an Kelly an have our coffee. I like it when Regis an Kelly tease each other and make jokes. I like the guest stars an movie clips. Me and my mom laugh a lot an drink our coffee. It’s fun.

Two weeks ago I bring Mom her coffee with cream in it. I turn on channel 11. No Regis an Kelly. You not believe what is on – DR. PHIL! I can’t stand Dr. Phil!

My mom call channel 11 and they say Regis gonna be retarred and they not new the show. Mom watch the news but the news is no fun! We go to the internet and see Regis and Kelly on a video but not the whole show.

We look everywhere for a good show with our coffee. Just dumb stuff.

I need help!  What you watch with your coffee?

There is a new film released entitled “My Idiot Brother.” Following the current, intense battle against the use of the word “retarded,” I wonder if the use of this pejorative term will attract the same attention as the R word. Is idiot different from retarded?

When I first began my studies in special education, I learned the terms historically used to identify persons who had intellectual disabilities. The terms used were imbecile, idiot, and moron. After years of usage, these words became offensive and were changed to severely retarded, moderately retarded, and mildly retarded. Initially they were useful in identifying levels of disability and in planning educational programs. They also became used as hurtful words, slung at people in anger or rejection, such as “You idiot!”

See the connection? Whatever the term, as long as we remain insensitive to people who are vulnerable, those who have disabilities, and those who are unable to fight back, we will use terms in inappropriate and unkind ways.

Rather than fighting the word, let us fight the deeper problem – attitude. I think the answer is another R word: respect. In our family, we have words that we do not use. In addition to the words referred to above, we add “stupid” and “dumb.”

Billy asks me why we don’t use those words. I reply, “Because those words make people feel bad.” If we can teach that idea, we won’t have to stage battles to obliterate each objectionable word that comes along. And they will come along if we continue to believe that the word is the problem.

I, for one, will not see “My Idiot Brother.”

Happy Sunday! I hope you got a good day, take a nap! Church is so good today.

Okay, my friends said I got to write bout Green Lantern. So here goes. I got tickets from my friends Russ and Joyce, so I get to treat my mom, my sister, and Joe and Savannah, good friends, my sister. I did been to their house inna beach. I like it, my treat!
I got a Diet Coke, drink that I watch that movie. It’s good on a hot day. But it’s cold in the theater.
I like that Green Lantern. It’s better than Green Hornet, but I like that karate.
Ryan Reynolds—what a hunk! Ryan Reynolds is in that movie Proposal, with Sandra Bullock and Betty White. I got that DVD, with Coach in it, too, that’s Craig T. Nelson. It’s a good movie, too. Ryan Reynolds’ girlfriend in the Green Lantern is so pretty. She is gorgeous, like my mom.

Everybody going to like the Green Lantern. I like it when the ring is on. I like it when the ring is off.
You member the Superheroes? Like Superman, Wonder Women, Justice League of America, Batman and Robin, and Aquaman? Long, long time ago? Aquaman was like under water in the ocean. Wonder Woman has a Magic Plane. Lynda Carter plays Diana Prince, take that glasses off and then, that’s Wonder Woman. Lyle Waggoner played Steve Trevor, that’s Wonder Woman’s boss.
Well, Green Lantern, same thing like that. Long, long time ago, is two kids in the comics, boy and a girl, we had to do it together so it works. That’s Superfriends, on Saturday morning TV show. My sister find that old cartoon for me on the internet, touch that ring to the lantern, power up. So here it is. You click on it, you see that cartoon.

Green Lantern powers up his ring from the lantern on the old Saturday cartoon.

Well, Green Lantern got a special ring, cuz he’s so smart and flies high in that jet, all the way up. Name is Hal Jordan. He is so nice. Hal Jordan put on that ring, and THEN, turn into Green Lantern. Got a funky costume, I like it.
And Green Lantern did save all the peoples from that big, big monster. It’s scary. It’s black, with a big mouth, suck the people in. It is made out of fear. It is creepy. Name is Parallax.
And another Green Lantern, got pointy ears like Spock, that’s an evil Green Lantern now, I think so. The professor is weird. I not like that part.
You like to see this movie? I think you like it. I like to see it again, mmm hmm. I think I might buy the DVD comes out. I let you know.

If you follow our blogs, you know that my son Billy has overcome a number of  hurdles and has succeeded in many areas of his life. He graduated from high school, has been successful in several jobs,  is considered a valuable member of our community, and is certainly a cherished and important part of our family and circle of  friends.  He is a competent and happy man. However, there are times that  Billy expresses dissatisfaction with his disabilities in certain areas. He cited one of these areas this morning. As we were leaving church, he said to me, “I can’t read the words.”

Reading a magazine.

After we got into the car, I asked him to tell me about this problem. For years we have marveled at the way he follows the hymns half a beat behind, presenting the effect of singing with the congregation. He is so talented in doing this that it appears he is following with the congregation. One Christmas a friend, who holds a position in our church, asked me if I thought Billy would be willing to read a piece in a program. I told her that he reads very little and she was totally surprised.

We have worked on reading for most of Billy’s life, in school and at home. He brings in the paper each morning and reads the weather report and some of the headlines. He reads his TV guide and parts of People magazine, where he is prompted by illustrations and familiar terms. The hymnal, however, is not illustrated and has few words relevant to Billy’s life. He jumps in when phrases are repeated in the chorus, as in the

hymn Till We Meet Again, which we sang this morning. I did not realize how frustrated he was with the other parts that he could not read.

We talked about this again after we got home and Billy said, ” I am so dumb.” I always tell him that he is smart in so many ways and that “dumb” is a hurtful word and one to be avoided. It breaks my heart to hear him say that about himself.

Although there are over 900 songs in the Methodist Hymnal, we will find a way to work on reading them. Perhaps we can isolate words that are most frequently used and establish a hymn sight word list. It will be a challenge for both of us.

Once again I am amazed at Billy’s courage. He loves to go to church. He frequently nods during the sermon and I realize he doesn’t comprehend the message. If I poke him he tells me, “The Bible says don’t poke in church,” and we both giggle. This is another measure of his courage. Even when he doesn’t understand, he hangs in and gives it his all.

There must be a better term than “dumb.”