PUNISHMENT FOR THE COMPULSIVE COLLECTOR

Or,

STUFF

There comes a time in the life

of a long-lived hoarder that

what came in now goes out.

Family should want it  andcherish it and organize and

archive it— that’s it! Archive!

It’s someone else’s life, though, and

will moulder with their own stuff.;

their very own precious  stuff.

Grandma called her china her

“heart’s blood.” –That’s what my letters

and sqiggles and  sentimental

cachets are, “stuff.”  Old photos

tug at  heart–strings, like echoes

of old hymns.  Would it have been

better to let these relics sift

through our fingers at the time?

Much too late, hoarder!  Now kiss

them goodbye and try to smile..                                                                               Nan

The following is from  the site Down Syndrome with a Slice of Autism  nickspecialneeds.wordpress.com    Just another WordPress.com site, Nick is 22 years old and has Down syndrome and autism. This is his world, the rest of us are just trying to keep up!  Post signed by Teresa in recognition of Down Syndrome Awareness Month:

Since this is about awareness, it is important to educate people on the appropriate language that should be used. People with Down syndrome should always be referred to as people first.

Do NOT say:

*”A Down syndrome baby or child.”

*”Down’s baby or child”

*”Down’s”

*”He has Downs”

Instead say: “A child with Down syndrome”.  Finally it should be said “Down” and NOT “Down’s.” Down syndrome is named for the English physician John Langdon Down, who characterized the condition, but did not have it.

My son Nick is 22 years old, and has Down syndrome and autism.  I’ve heard all of these incorrect phrases over the years. Please help me educate the public on the proper way to refer to a person with Down syndrome.  Thank you for reading and spreading awareness about Down syndrome.  That’s what is in my noggin this week.

~Teresa