I've learned so much from the people we've profiled this week. Today's story is about Lauren Sheppard, a senior at Buchholz High School who was crowned Miss Bobcat (that's 3rd place on the homecoming court!) by her peers. Lauren has Down Syndrome. She is beautiful, talented, smart and popular.
When I approached Lauren's parents about this story, they explained how they had worked so hard to keep Lauren included in the regular classroom... even suing a South Florida school board for inclusion. They felt inclusion was criticial to her being accepted by her peers and getting the education they wanted her to have. But even they were surprised when Lauren was elected to the homecoming court. Lauren's Father said "sometimes you ask yourself if it's really worth it, and for this to happen in Lauren's senior year, there's no question."
This story hits close to home for me because my 7 year old daughter has Down Syndrome. She's only in 1st grade, but I already know how challenging it is to balance inclusion and education and find the right "fit" for her each school year. Lauren's story inspires me.
Here are some quick facts about Down Syndrome:
* also called Trisomy 21 because people with DS have 3 copies of the 21st chromosome instead of 2 copies
* all of the characteristics of DS are caused by the extra material on the 21st chromosome
* no one knows what causes it, but the mother's age may be a contributing factor
* a 35 year old woman has a 1 in 400 chance of having a baby with DS, a 45 year old woman has a 1 in 35 chance of having a baby with DS
* All people with Down syndrome experience cognitive delays, but the effect is usually mild to moderate and is not indicative of the many strengths and talents that each individual possesses.
* Researchers are making great strides in identifying the genes on Chromosome 21 that cause the characteristics of Down syndrome. Many feel strongly that it will be possible to improve, correct or prevent many of the problems associated with Down syndrome in the future.
* Source: http://www.ndss.org/
Thursday, February 17, 2011
Monday, February 14, 2011
When Life Throws a Curve
"When Life Throws a Curve" airs Monday through Thursday this week on GTN News. I'm so excited to present this special report for our viewers. Over the years, the number one question people have asked me is "why is the news so negative?" So often, we do report on the most negative things in life.. accidents, deaths and natural disasters... these make up the daily newscast. But I've also found that much good can come from these terrible situations. What happens after the tragedy? These are those stories.
On Monday, we profile Alachua County Sheriff Spokesperson Art Forgey. You usually see Art from the waist up on television, so you may not realize he has a physical disability. Art was in a car accident and lost the use of one leg. He thought his career in law enforcement was over, so he packed up and moved his family across the country and wound up here in Alachua County. Then, Art got a divorce and became a single Dad. Sheriff Sadie Darnell says she's never seen anyone work harder than Art. Art says he was angry during the recovery, but about a year ago he realized if this was the worst thing that ever happened to him then he's not that bad off. Now, he's an inspiration to everyone. If you see him, ask him to show you his superman tattoo!
I love how John Kaplan sums up life "does anyone really have a picture perfect life?" We see so many people in the media who appear to have everything going for them, but in reality, everyone has some problems. It's how they triumph over those problems that matters. John is a Pulitzer Prize winning photographer who teaches at UF's College of Journalism. Things were going great when he got the diagnosis no one wants to hear...cancer. John turned the camera on himself and the result is an amazing documentary that is giving hope to others. Watch the report Tuesday and Wednesday, and log onto http://www.notasipictured.org/ to learn more.
On Thursday, a story that hits close to home for my family.... but I'll tell you more about that on Thursday!
I hope you are as inspired by these people as I am.
On Monday, we profile Alachua County Sheriff Spokesperson Art Forgey. You usually see Art from the waist up on television, so you may not realize he has a physical disability. Art was in a car accident and lost the use of one leg. He thought his career in law enforcement was over, so he packed up and moved his family across the country and wound up here in Alachua County. Then, Art got a divorce and became a single Dad. Sheriff Sadie Darnell says she's never seen anyone work harder than Art. Art says he was angry during the recovery, but about a year ago he realized if this was the worst thing that ever happened to him then he's not that bad off. Now, he's an inspiration to everyone. If you see him, ask him to show you his superman tattoo!
I love how John Kaplan sums up life "does anyone really have a picture perfect life?" We see so many people in the media who appear to have everything going for them, but in reality, everyone has some problems. It's how they triumph over those problems that matters. John is a Pulitzer Prize winning photographer who teaches at UF's College of Journalism. Things were going great when he got the diagnosis no one wants to hear...cancer. John turned the camera on himself and the result is an amazing documentary that is giving hope to others. Watch the report Tuesday and Wednesday, and log onto http://www.notasipictured.org/ to learn more.
On Thursday, a story that hits close to home for my family.... but I'll tell you more about that on Thursday!
I hope you are as inspired by these people as I am.
Thursday, January 6, 2011
Remembering the tragedy in Haiti
Next week is the anniversary of the terrible earthquake that shook Haiti. The tragedy hit close to home for me because I was getting ready for a mission trip to El Salvador in just a few weeks. The purpose of our trip was to build a well in a tiny community called Monte Rico. I couldn't help but think what if something similar happened while I was in Central America. I was hesitant last Christmas when my church's mission director asked me to go and video the experience. I remember telling him it wasn't my "season" in life, because I had young children. But after my husband encouraged me and offered to make sure everything was taken care of at home, I decided to go. I'm so glad I did.
Living Water International drills wells all over the world and was one of the first on the scene in Haiti restoring fresh water after the earthquake. The organization worked with our team in El Salvador, teaching us to drill and helping us lead hygiene lessons in the community. I was so impressed by our Hygiene Instructor, Katie, who left the states to work for LWI and live in El Salvador. She left many luxuries behind and works in the blazing sun travelling to remote areas to bring water and education to people daily.
Before the trip, I was feeling a little bored driving the same streets and seeing the same sights I've seen for years. In Central America, the beautiful landscape with tropical trees and rugged coastline is contrasted with widespread poverty. My eyes were opened by a first-hand look at the hardships people endure in other countries. I had reported about those conditions in my career as a news anchor, but here, the pictures became real to me. Life's most precious resource, water, is not readily available in most places. We saw women washing their clothes in the river, children swimming, cows walking and people drinking from the same water. Chronic diarrhea and death are all too common there, and yet the people are so resilient, even joyful and always thankful.
It's amazing how clean water can change a life. I left El Salvador with a new resolve to never take water for granted again. This week, when we relive the images from Haiti, I will have a new perspective on human suffering and on those who leave the comfort of their homes to help others.
Living Water International drills wells all over the world and was one of the first on the scene in Haiti restoring fresh water after the earthquake. The organization worked with our team in El Salvador, teaching us to drill and helping us lead hygiene lessons in the community. I was so impressed by our Hygiene Instructor, Katie, who left the states to work for LWI and live in El Salvador. She left many luxuries behind and works in the blazing sun travelling to remote areas to bring water and education to people daily.
Before the trip, I was feeling a little bored driving the same streets and seeing the same sights I've seen for years. In Central America, the beautiful landscape with tropical trees and rugged coastline is contrasted with widespread poverty. My eyes were opened by a first-hand look at the hardships people endure in other countries. I had reported about those conditions in my career as a news anchor, but here, the pictures became real to me. Life's most precious resource, water, is not readily available in most places. We saw women washing their clothes in the river, children swimming, cows walking and people drinking from the same water. Chronic diarrhea and death are all too common there, and yet the people are so resilient, even joyful and always thankful.
It's amazing how clean water can change a life. I left El Salvador with a new resolve to never take water for granted again. This week, when we relive the images from Haiti, I will have a new perspective on human suffering and on those who leave the comfort of their homes to help others.
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