The Perfect Cheer

Back around Christmastime, I had the pleasure of seeing my friend, Danielle (& her family) from high school. One of her daughters -- Mady -- is a cheerleader at a nearby school that Cal's team plays against in basketball. Danielle mentioned that she & Mady would like to make hair bows for both sets of cheerleaders -- Cal's team & Mady's team -- to wear in Claire & Lola's honor. I thought that sounded like THE COOLEST IDEA EVER. We talked a few days before the game, and we set up a time and place to meet. She even texted me a pic as I walked into the gym. I was in complete & total awe at this... 

1.29.16  ~  Rose Hill & Circle cheerleaders with Claire & Lola
(Mady is holding Lola.)
Photo by Danielle Baker

Pre-game photo by Danielle Baker

Getting suited up!  Lola  =  #DivaStatus
Photo by Danielle Baker

Bows designed by Mady & handmade by Danielle and Mady
I am SO digging that Disney princess font -- PERFECTION!!!

Classic move on Claire's part of strategically aligning her head so as to pinpoint gauge Lola's eye out with very little effort on her part whatsoever.  Well played indeed.  Sibling rivalry at its finest -- I would expect nothing less!

The girls are rocking their handmade tutus, also made by Mady!  

Honorary Cheerleaders!

I still get goosies thinking about that night and how perfect it was in every single way. I loved how the two teams came together for a common goal, how both sets of cheerleaders made my girls feel so included, how proud they were to honor Claire & Lola, how others watching wanted bows also, how both teams' parents reached out to Scott, the girls & me telling us how touched they were by this gesture, how I didn't even give a shit who won the damn game because this whole thing felt SO. MUCH. BIGGER.  I love how our Circle cheerleaders still wear the bows many games later & how they smile with such love in their eyes at the girls when they get their fist bumps during the home games as if they are their "little sisters."  I love seeing tweets like this:

Big love to you, Ivory!

I love how, more than anything, it isn't just OUR little town who is embracing differences & seeing the beauty ANYWAY & giving and sharing love because of Claire & Lola. Our girls are changing this WORLD. I cannot tell you how much I love seeing my daughters as tiny messengers of change. I just am *so proud* to be part of the special needs community.

Thank you from the absolute bottom of my heart to Danielle, Mady, the Rose Hill High School Cheerleaders, the Circle High School Cheerleaders, both communities, both teams, and all those who love our girls. You will never know how very much you mean to our family.  We love you guys!!!

xo

Thankful Thursday ~ BBC Radio

Yesterday I was interviewed by Julian Marshall of BBC Radio regarding microcephaly and the Zika virus, a mosquito-borne virus which is believed to be causing microcephaly in newborns whose mothers were infected by this virus while pregnant. I was honored & thankful to discuss our experience with microcephaly, and I hope that maybe, in some small way, my testimony can help new mothers whose babies were diagnosed with microcephaly to feel less alone & afraid. I certainly don't have all of the answers regarding this diagnosis, but I want to help set their minds at ease however I can.

It is sad to me that microcephaly is being vilified in the media due to Zika, and I hope that the general public realizes that though this diagnosis would not be something I would have chosen, I am NO LESS BLESSED by having two daughters with this condition than if they'd been born typical. I am just as proud of my girls as I am of our neurotypical son, Cal.

CLICK HERE to listen to my radio interview from yesterday!  As of now, I am being told it may only be active for another five days, though I hope to be able to download an mp3 of it at some point so I can share that here as well.

1.20.16 ~  Claire, Cal, & Lola celebrating the #DayOfAcceptance for #3ELove

xo