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Blog Hop!

This blog hop is a community project of Down syndrome Blogs and the T21 Alliance. The code is set up so that everyone can participate by adding their link to their post – and host if they want, by adding the code to their own post! So, just follow the instructions through the linky tool (below)

One truth (about Ds/our lives with Ds)

One tip (- information on something related to Ds/raising a child with Ds/or just parenting in general)

One photo

One Truth about Teddy and his Ds!

Teddy is amazing. He never ceases to amaze me. Everything I was told about Teddy’s future from the geneticist never came true. He is more than what anyone ever imagined he could be. 30 years ago Down syndrome was a really scary diagnosis. I didn’t really fully understand what it was, but I knew it wasn’t good. Thank goodness I got to know Teddy before I got to know the geneticist.

I would love to go back and tell the geneticist….Yes, Teddy was potty trained! Yes, Teddy learned to talk! Yes, Teddy went to school! Yes, Teddy learned to ride a bike, roller skate, swim, and use a computer! Yes, Teddy graduated from high school! Yes, Teddy went to college! Yes, Teddy has his own business! Yes, Teddy lives in his own apartment! YES, YES, YES!!!!!

One Tip from raising Teddy!

Teddy perseverates and procrastinates, so learning patience was a necessary virtue. Not sure at what point I figured this out, but if Teddy doesn’t want to do something, he isn’t going to do it. (Maybe it was when he decided that to pee in his clothes, preferably his snowsuit, was a great way to avoid going where he didn’t want to go.) So I learned to stop wasting time. I read a book, watch TV, file my nails, balance my checkbook – whatever – and wait until he is ready to do what I want him to do. I get stuff done. He isn’t so angry at me. And life continues on. At a little slower pace, but it works for us.

Teddy, just turned 30.
Teddy is 30!

 

The first blog hopper !

1) With a little Moxie

 

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Teddy is 30 Years Old!!!!

Teddy is 30 years old. I am telling him he is no longer a young adult, but now just a plain old adult. He’s done a tremendous amount of maturing the past few years taking care of his Grandma, but it has also taken a lot of wind out of his sails. I am proud of the man he has become, even though this year has been very challenging for us both. Please wish him a Happy Birthday on his Facebook page /teddyfitzm He loves to get messages on Facebook!

Teddy at 5 months – first photo taken by Mom. I wish I’d taken one sooner, but I had no idea he was going to stay so long. (He arrived one week shy of his 4 month birthday weighing less than 8 pounds.)

TEDDY'S FIRST OFFICIAL PIC 12:1983

Teddy at 2 – first Day of going to school on the bus without Mom. One day a week without me – longest four hours of my week.

Teddy's First Day of School!
Teddy’s First Day of Pre-School by himself!

Teddy at age 6 – First Day of INCLUSIVE Kindergarten. BIG Day for Teddy and for Ann Arbor.

Twddy & Phillip first day of school

Teddy at 16 – first political demonstration (Against Peter Singer @ Princeton)

Teddy in Princeton, NY, 1990

Teddy at 24 demonstrating on the US Capitol steps – he went to DC WITHOUT Me. This was his first time REALLY on his own – doesn’t look too worried.

Teddy & Luke on Capitol steps

Photo of Teddy (Age 29) at cousin Rachael’s wedding taken this past December. He looks so old!

Susan and Teddy 12.15.2012

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Teddy presenting at CPWD – Center for People with Disabilities in Boulder, CO.

Come meet Teddy and his Mom and learn how Teddy’s Ts transitioned from a tiny little idea selling tshirts someone else designed and produced to Teddy’s business of today with over a dozen original tshirt designs and nearly 4 dozen buttons.  Teddy will talk about how it feels to be an entrepreneur and what he loves most about his business. Susan will discuss the decisions made to move the business from what it was to what it is. You will learn about the level of commitment needed to make a micro enterprise a success.You will hear about the mistakes made a long the way so you don’t have to repeat them. You will have an idea of what good choices were made by design or happenstance that caused Teddy’s Ts to be successful. There will be an opportunity to buy both tshirts and buttons. (Cash or credit)See blog post

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Teddy in the News

I was just looking at a website and there was a video link – and I thought to myself – that looks like Teddy. I looked closer and I was sure it was Teddy. And so I looked at the video and Teddy has two short appearances. This was a TV news show on September 18, 2011 Colorado 9 News.


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Teddy’s Ts Highlighted in Promotional Video


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Teddy needs a new Assistant

Starting now, Teddy needs a new assistant. Hours are flexible as is the job. You can put in a few extra hours one week and few less the next. You can do both jobs or just one.

8 CLS hours a week have fun!
Help Teddy negotiate the social world he loves. Take him bowling, go swimming, lift weights, power walk, or whatever you come up with. If you like to go to Tiger games – Teddy loves them too! Are you a fan of something special – introduce it to Teddy. Help him manage the time he wants to spend with friends. Introduce him to your life and the things you love. Preference given to a male in his 20s or 30s, but open to anyone who is interested in a high energy job.

10 Skill building hours a week help with the business.
Go to conferences and help him sell tshirts and buttons. Some local events, some overnight. Help do some of the odd jobs needed to keep the business going. Problem-solve how to improve the business.

Paid through Community Living Services and requires you to have taken First Aid, Recipient Rights Training, and CPR. Classes are paid for. Pay dependent upon experience – $8-12 and hour plus some expenses.

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Happy Birthday Teddy!

Today is Teddy’s Birthday. Join us at AJ’s Cafe on Ferndale to celebrate at 7:30PM. (2011)