Kids have a way of seeing the world so simply, and our boys are no exception. We sat down with Lincoln and Alexander to ask them a few questions about their sister Hope—what they love about her, what they think about Down syndrome, and whether they believe she’s different. Their responses? Honest, sweet, and full of love. Teaching acceptance starts young, and it’s clear these two already know what truly matters.
What does it take? It’s a question I’ve been asking myself a lot. What kind of person do I need to be for Hope? How do I make sure she thrives? In all my pondering, I realised one thing makes all the difference—belief. Not just in Hope, but in myself. Without self-belief, I wouldn’t have the confidence to push forward, to fight for her, and to take action. It hasn’t always been easy, but I’ve learned to accept where I am, trust myself, and push past fear. Because believing in myself allows me to believe in Hope—and that belief will help her succeed.
Being a parent teaches us so much—about life, about resilience, and about love. But being a parent to a child with Down syndrome has taught me even more. I’ve learned that Down syndrome isn’t what makes life hard; life is just hard sometimes. I’ve seen that love doesn’t always need words to be felt. I’ve learned to celebrate every small victory, to embrace the support around us, and to find my voice in ways I never imagined. Parenting Hope has been life-changing—in the best way possible.
Almost two months ago, I wrote about running on empty. Well, I finally took that break I talked about—and had a major “well duh” moment! Turns out, the way I’d been living and working just wasn’t working anymore. I realised that routines and small changes could make a big difference in my stress levels, my family life, and even the state of my house. Now, with a few tweaks to my schedule and a little help from Jobot (our trusty robot vacuum), I’m feeling more balanced and less overwhelmed.
It’s been a crazy, exhausting week with sick kids and no sleep, but I still wanted to write something—so here it is! A little insight into our sweet and sassy girl, Hope. From her early arrival and heart surgery to her love of dancing and chocolate, here are 10 random things you may (or may not) know about Hope.
Last week, we shared the emotional experience of receiving assessment results that compare Hope’s development to typical children. But this week, we’re looking at a different kind of report—one that truly highlights Hope’s progress and abilities. Her daycare report wasn’t about measuring delays; it was about celebrating her growth, friendships, and personality. From her empathy and turn-taking to her love of dress-ups and puzzles, this report reminded us that Hope is thriving in her own way.
Helping Hope walk has been our big focus lately, and every session brings new challenges and triumphs. This week at physiotherapy, she tackled stepping stones, side-stepping, and her favourite game—escaping down the hallway! We worked hard, took breaks, and ended the session with dancing. Progress may feel slow, but every step counts. And now, at home, we’re making little changes to encourage her to walk more. It’s all about making walking feel natural for her. She’s getting stronger, and we won’t stop cheering her on!
Decades ago, children with Down syndrome were often placed in institutions, hidden from society and denied basic rights. Parents were pressured to give up their babies, and little was known about their true potential. Fast forward to today, and we see incredible progress—better healthcare, education, and support services allowing individuals with Down syndrome to live fuller, more independent lives. But with medical advances also comes a heartbreaking reality: a drastic decline in birth rates due to high termination rates. Have we truly reached acceptance, or is there still more work to be done?
As we search for the right school for Lincoln, we’re also thinking about Hope and Alexander. The big question? Should Hope go to a mainstream or support school? For us, inclusion is key, and we want to give her every opportunity to be part of the world around her. But we also know the challenges. In this post, we share our thoughts, fears, and hopes for Hope’s education.
No one likes being sick, and when all three kids go down one after the other, it feels like there’s no break. For Hope, a simple cough can turn into something more serious, so when her temperature spiked and her oxygen dropped, we knew it was time for the hospital. A night in emergency, a pneumonia scare, and some unexpected positives—this is our latest hospital journey with Hope.