Pro-Life, Not Death
Do You Love Music?
Do you love music? Special Needs children and adults are very receptive to music and how it soothes their soul. Some say that music brings us into harmony with God . . . and I agree! There are many musical genres that delight and inspire us. With each one that is discovered, there are a seemingly endless number of others waiting to be revealed and enjoyed by music fans around the world. Some say that music brings us into harmony with God, soothing our souls.
Katie singing a song at a Knights of Columbus picnic. She really likes the stage! She would love to go on “Britain’s Got Talent” but we’re not quite ready for that.
With Katie, pop music is at the top of the list. From the age of 5 - 15 it was the Wiggles. Next came One Direction and Big Time Rush. She loves other genres also, like opera in Phantom of the Opera. Favorites come and go, but as long as drums and guitars are prominent, she is all in!
Playing the guitar is one of Katie’s favorite thing to do when company comes or even at church for our parish priest. Of course, here she is playing “air guitar” just hiking on a trail in New Hampshire.
If you love listening to music, you’re in good company. Charles Darwin once remarked, “If I had my life to live over again, I would have made a rule to read some poetry and listen to some music.” Albert Einstein declared, “If I were not a physicist, I would probably be a musician.” Jimi Hendrix called music his “religion.”* Recent research shows that listening to music improves our mental well-being and boosts our physical health in surprising and astonishing ways. If you studied music in school, sang in the choir, played an instrument or performed in Christmas programs, you understand what I am saying. And for all those parents and grandparents, they also shared in the joy.
MYTH: PEOPLE WITH DOWN SYNDROME ARE ALWAYS SICK.
TRUTH: People with Down syndrome are at an increased risk for certain medical conditions such as congenital heart defects, respiratory, hearing problems, and thyroid conditions. Advances in health care and treatment of these conditions have allowed most individuals with Down syndrome to lead healthy lives.
When Katie was born she did have a congenital heart defect. It was difficult for her to suck on a bottle. The solution was to feed her every two hours with a medicine dropper of “preemie formula”. That was pretty challenging overnight. At five months old she had open heart surgery at Children’s Hospital in Philadelphia. The surgery was a complete success thanks to Dr. Norwood who invented the “Norwood Procedure”.
“St. Michael the Arch Angel” depicts the most powerful angel in all the heavens. He is the one who will put Satan into hell forever. He is the best angel to go to for protection from all evil. He is perfect to put into your child’s room, or any room. Print DOES NOT INCLUDE MAT OR FRAME. The image is a black & white print in one size 8” x 10” $25
Resources
National Down syndrome Society: https://ndss.org/about
Mayo Clinic Down syndrome: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/down-syndrome/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20355983
Mayo Clinic Autism: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/autism-spectrum-disorder/symptoms-causes/syc-20352928
Autism Parenting Magazine: https://www.autismparentingmagazine.com/freeissue/?h_campaign_id=614129381&bng_id=1141294865100548&h_ad_id=71331093675910&msclkid=3794ea067ab61cf588ec8086baeb2f98