Well I’m happy to say we’ve survived March again – without doubt THE most chaotic month of the year in our house. Thankfully all birthdays passed off without too much trouble other than the obvious dent in the the monthly budget – Down’s Syndrome Awareness Week also kept us very busy and proved another huge success!

Unfortunately we’ve been less successful in encouraging Rosie to bond with ‘C3PO’ (her new walking aid). There’s possible blame on our part due to having such little time to persevere, although the whole thing feels a bit too cumbersome for her to manage at the moment which isn’t making it any easier. However…

….Rosie seems to have taken a whole new lease of life without C3PO! Whilst out on a family walk to one of our favourite places, Quarry Bank Mill, I took Rosie out of her pushchair, held both her hands and we walked together – it wasn’t very fast and we took as much time as needed but she went further than she’s ever gone before. Previously she’d been going maybe three or four steps before plonking herself back on her bottom!

The more we walk with her now the more co-ordinated she’s getting with her legs, which is giving her more confidence. Her feet are also beginning to point more in the direction of five minutes to one, rather than a quarter to three! She’s a long way off supporting herself but another breakthrough came yesterday when she walked across the living room floor with Karen holding just one hand! Will she be walking soon? I’m not so sure but watch this space… it’s certainly looking more promising!

As many of you will know (and already be tired of hearing no-doubt) The Future’s Rosie has been shortlisted in two categories for the 2014 MAD Blog Awards – ‘Blog of the year’ and ‘Best Writer’. Thank you so much for those of you that nominated and for everyone who show’s their continued support it means a great deal to me. Blog of the year is a judged category but Best Writer is up for public vote, which is where I need your help (again!)…

I find canvassing for votes very difficult as I worry it gives the impression I’m trying to pat myself on the back which couldn’t be further from the truth. To win would be a marvellous honour, yes, BUT more importantly would help the blog reach a wider audience.

Last year it was fortunate enough to win ‘Best New Blog‘ which in turn raised the profile and gave me opportunities to share the word via articles on BBC News and National Press. The blog now reaches more people as a result and I believe that an increasing amount of new parents have stumbled upon it whilst searching online – some finding it a help in the early, delicate days of trying to ‘come to terms’  with a diagnosis of Down’s syndrome with their child.

If you would like to vote for ‘The Future’s Rosie’ as ‘Best Writer’ you can do so by clicking the link below, anyone can vote so if you wanted to ask your friends too I won’t be offended 😉

http://www.the-mads.com/vote/

  

The Future's Rosie

I'm Tom, a thirty something father to three beautiful children and husband to my soulmate Karen. I started this blog as a means to talk about stuff, get things out in the open, a bit like an online therapy I guess and to celebrate the progress of my beautiful daughter Rosie who was born in March 2011 with Down's Syndrome (DS) and a Complete Atrioventricular Septal Defect (AVSD). Maybe the experiences shared on here will help others too, hopefully help illustrate the bright futures our children with DS will have if we can break down common misconceptions. When I first found out Rosie would be born with DS I found reading literature with open and honest feelings on the subject, extremely helpful. This is not intended to be a written masterpiece and I can promise you it won’t be. I don’t pretend to have a large vocabulary and to be honest the further behind me my school days become the more my grammar has deteriorated!... however, you will find what is written on these pages comes from the heart.

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