I thought you were just a hairdresser.

"I thought you were just a hairdresser!"

Truly- maybe the best line I have ever heard to date.
It was said to me by a client that saw that I was posted in Sundays Tribune as a "remarkable woman."


Yes-Virginia I really am just a hairdresser,
I am a mom of 5,
a purse designer,
a cook,
housekeeper,
a potty trainer,
an artist,
 a writer,
 a nut job,
a therapist,
 a cab driver,
 a laundry do-er
a seamstress,
a sock picker upper,
a shopper,
a lawn mowing,
exhausted,
trail blazer-Ha.
I am,
a wealth of a little bit of  knowledge,
a shoe addict,
milk chocolate loving,
a tad over weight.
I have crazy hair,
I am shrinking,
I am bold,
I am a girl,
I am a daughter,
a sister,
an Aunt,
a niece,
a cousin,
a cryer,
a romantic,
a hugger,
a goofball,
I am a teacher.
I am a shoulder to cry on,
I am a mentor,
I am adventurous,
I am a believer,
a wanderer,
and a friend.

I am stubborn,

I am a shopaholic,
I am daily teetering on the edge.
I am scared,
I am happy,
I am glittery,
I am an advocate,
I am fierce, brave, strong, loud, funny, sarcastic, gentle, giving, loyal, manic.
I am a hairdresser.

Today I was still all of those things.
But today I was PROUD.

I am often thanked for the job I do here on this earth. I usually shrug it off, not able to take the pat on my back.  Always wondering if they are talking about someone else.  I have always wanted to meet this 'fierce warrior'.  
She sounds amazing.

I'm just a hairdresser.

Lately, I understand my purpose more and more.
Why I was born, why I landed here. Why I am the way I am.
Its clearer now that the rain has gone (Ha it always ties into some great song...) I can see all obstacles in my way, gone are the dark clouds that pass me by...Its gonna be a bright, bright sun shiny day!

I have decided that this is so easy for me to do because all I am doing is walking.
Forward.
Its not a speech or an act.
It's my life.
Its our life.
We are all effected in some way.
We have all at one time or another felt unworthy or less than.  Maybe we are uncomfortable in a crowded room.  Feeling odd and out of place.

Well, that's how our special children sometimes feel.
I don't want to give sermons daily. My soap box is about to crack in half.
I just want you all to live it with me.
Don't talk the talk.
Lets walk the walk and live like we all belong.

Cuz, we really do.

We all have the right to be here.
We all started the same,
We were mere little babies.
Given the same open endless possibilities of future.
No doors were closed in your face.
No one turned their backs.

I have to fight for my son.
  I have to shout for the other children.
Our special children have possibilities and dreams,
 likes and loves just like you do.

They all have a story,
I AM........
Take a minute and focus on who they really are.

Talk to them,
 smile,
engage and nurture.

Today I was humbled.
Today I really, really knew that I have made a difference.
TODAY I accepted that I was doing something good.

 I was given a donation today from a mom who lost her special child.  At her child's birth they wrapped her baby in a baby blanket. God decided to take her baby way too soon.
The special child was wrapped gently in the warm blanket and was laid to rest.

This amazing mom never forgot about that blanket.
Although it held great loss for her it was in fact a soothing reminder that others cared. A gentle hug of kindness and warmth.

Unbelievable.
Today,
I was able to purchase the first of many baby blankets .
I sat and stared at the blankets,
I touched them, I smelled them, I saw them wrapped around a gift.


Today was the beginning to great things.

I am who I am Congratulations blankets will be in all Chicago area hospitals.

MY DREAM IS TO HAVE BLANKETS AT EVERY HOSPITAL NATION WIDE.

AVAILABLE.

Just give me some time.
These parents will know they are not alone. The 'Congratulations' on every blanket will remind these chosen families to believe.

I am so proud.

It took me awhile to get here.
It has been a huge pill to swallow.
I cannot believe that its me that was able to purchase these blankets in honor of a friends baby.

I cannot extend my words higher or my gratitude deeper.

I am just a hairdresser.

ANY and all donations can be made to the " I am who I am" baby blanket fund!

Click on www.iam-whoiam.com

Pay Pal available!!

Thank you all!

Someone you should know

This is something I have been wanting to write about for 9 years now.  Its always been there. Just never made it to pen and paper. I hope to do this story justice.  Because as you will soon read, it deserves that and so much more.

I want you to really think about who is a celebrity to you?
Someone who is in the movies?
Has a wonderful singing voice?
A man who helped his team make it into the World Series?
Oprah?

 Not to me. They are just the lucky ones. The chosen few that have great P.R. agents.
They land on a billboard and become someone by memorizing lines or have their voice altered by auto tune.

Is a person a celebrity because they can run faster or hit harder than another?

 In the world of reality t.v. Celebrity-ism is almost a joke.  Sorry Kim Kardashian, but if I were you I would hide in a box for awhile.  Please, go  feed the hungry and do something good with your 15 minutes of fame.

My father always taught me that you must earn respect, not ask for it.
You must do or be something amazing for me to give you celebrity statis.


It sort of goes hand in hand for me. You have to really make a difference for me to put you on a
 pedestal.
Do something.
Grand.
Life changing.
Significant and brave.

I would like for you to meet my friend James Anthony McDonnell.
Born into our world in 1960.
Jimmy as he is known by all has Down Syndrome.
Hard to imagine that in 1961 Jimmy would not have been brought home. He would have been forgotten.  Institutionalized and left.
Alone.

But God knew exactly who to give Jimmy to.
God blessed Jimmy to Cathy, his mother.

As I like to call her the fiercest, most amazing lady I have ever met.  Stronger than an ox in more ways than one.
You want to meet a survivor, a hero, then knock on her door. (That I will save for another day)

Jimmy was born and went home as a little baby boy.
"He had 10 fingers and 10 toes, and 2 eyes", said Cathy.

 No one said a word.
 No one questioned a thing.
Funny though that when Jimmy's uncle first met Jimmy he said  "Where did you get this Chinese baby?"  They laughed it off and Cathy went onto raise her child the best she knew how.  Jimmy just didn't develop quite like her sisters kids that were around the same age.  At about 6 months old Cathy brought Jimmy in to see their pediatrician.
After reading Dr. Spock Cathy knew something was wrong.

 The Dr. said "Just pray it isn't what I think it is", to which Cathy already knew.

Mongoloid.

Back in the olden days they referred to our children as Mongoloids. Due to the fact that their almond shaped eyes resembled those from Mongolia.
Since then much research and studies were found by a Dr. Down that gave insight and knowledge about the syndrome giving it the name today.

When a Dr. told Cathy that her son would never walk, never talk and never learn, she left.

Cathy joined one of the earliest DS groups around. There she found information and places to help Jimmy with his journey.
In the beginning of school  a teacher said that Jimmy would never learn. He may be trainable. But he will never LEARN.

Can you imagine?

Telling that to a mom of a 6 year old?

Professionals evaluate our children in a small time frame. In 2 hours they have the ability to tell us who and what our children will be.

Hell, I don't know who I am going to be and I am well over 6.

As I have also done, Cathy said "NOT MY CHILD!"

How can  you know him in 2 hours?

"I will show you and so will Jimmy."

Bam.

Jimmy went to school until the age of 22.  The day after he graduated he went to work.
His first job was at McDades warehouse. His siblings showed him how to ride the bus. After 2 days Jimmy was on his own.

I cannot imagine the strength that his mother must have had.

Jimmy also kept a busboy position at the local pizza joint on Saturday nights. He worked at Foxes pizza from 16-32 years old.

Jimmy's main career was at the Cook County Treasury Office.  He began as a temp. and is still employed there today.

Jimmy rode the Metra every day.

Alone.

This is where his love for reading began.
Jimmy would read both local papers daily.
Never missing a section.
A few times Jimmy actually did not get off at his regular stop because he was too entranced in his reading.

Jimmy loves to read.

When asked what his favorite section of the paper is he glows like a Christmas tree. "The sports section."
You will probably never catch Jimmy without a White Sox shirt or cap on.  Jimmy is without a doubt their biggest fan and always will be.

All sports that is. He loves the Sox, but the Bears and Bulls are all in the running.

I remember going to the Bulls game with Jimmy many years ago.  Jimmy had the pleasure to practice in advance with the players.
 Really?

I was honored to be sitting next to Jimmy as he spent the night talking with coaches and the Love-ables. Jimmy will tell you that he is a devout ladies man. "I am not a one women man", is a favorite among his lines.

I could go on forever about his achievements.
He is one of the very first Special Olympians.

Jimmy went to Ireland a few years back to lead the Olympians onto the field.
Jimmy loves to travel.
Jimmy loves to smile.And he sure loves to talk.

"I love people, all people". "I am happy go lucky, and I respect every ones feelings!"

Jimmy loves watching wrestling on television.
He loves the colors blue and green.

He likes meat, all meat especially Roast Beef!

Jimmy does not lack self confidence. "I like all people. Not half of the people. I'm a people person. I do things for people. I am very gregarious!" (yep he said that!)

One thing is for certain. Watching Jimmy with his mom is a site to see. Jimmy idolizes his mom. Who wouldn't.  Jimmy needs her as much as she needs him.  The respect is mutual, the love is immense.

Back in the day you would find Jimmy sitting at a neighborhood watering hole. Probably never bought his own beer. He sure loves the ladies. "Girls, I like them all, right mom?"

Cathy has rolled her eyes over a million times. Jimmy is quite a character. But the love is amazing.

I have spent a lot of time with Jimmy.  I often ask him "Whats it like to have Down Syndrome?"
The answers vary a tad. But he mostly mentions that "He is the same."
"I'm a normal guy. If you don't like me, walk away, keep walking and go home."

Jimmy's love for Nathaniel was instant. Jimmy met Nate soon after Nate was born.  I remember Jimmy smiling at Nate and saying "He looks like me!"

Jimmy is always telling me that Nate is just like him.  "Happy go lucky, runs around a lot and not different." We have the same personality and we make people happy."

Jimmy just loves.
He smiles.
He enjoys.
He reads.
He works.

He lives.

It was never easy.
No one will ever lie and tell you that.
Cathy and I have a bond.
 An unspoken connection.
She knows.
She really knows.
But she believed.

Jimmy is 51 years old.
Jimmy has had a wonderful life.
One that has impacted many people.
He has given to society and he has made many smile.

Jimmy is my celebrity.
Always will be.


But his mom,
well she is my hero.