by Ellen Stumbo | Down Syndrome
My husband and I have been talking at length about what inclusion will look like for her this coming year. We have a schedule of the classes a typical sixth-grader takes, and we are taking a step back as we discuss: can our daughter really, truly keep up with these classes? Science. Math. Social Studies. English. Physical Education.
by Ellen Stumbo | Disability, Down Syndrome
Last year, I walked into a dance studio planning to sign up two of my girls; one for ballet, the other for ballet and tap. We found a studio only a few blocks from our house and it was not a competition dance school — we liked that. We chose the studio because on...
by Ellen Stumbo | Down Syndrome, Podcast
Every year on 3/21 we celebrate World Down Syndrome Day because there are three copies of the 21st chromosome. My daughter is 9 years old and Down syndrome is something in her I cherish. I didn’t always feel that way, and I did not always understand why Down...
by Ellen Stumbo | Disability, Down Syndrome, Faith, Parenting
Amy Grant’s Christmas CD has been my favorite since it first came out in 1994. I’ve listened to it so many times the last 22 years that as soon as the first chords of one of the songs comes up on the radio, I know right away it’s one of Amy’s. You know it was a great...
![When Our Kids With Disabilities Grow Up [Podcast]](https://www.ellenstumbo.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/Marcus-Sikora.jpg)
by Ellen Stumbo | Down Syndrome, Parenting, Podcast
Join Erin and me today as we interview Mardra and Marcus Sikora about what happens when our kids with disabilities grow up. Marcus is an author, and he is also an adult with Down syndrome. Mardra, his mom, is also an author and has helped Marcus achieve his dreams....
by Ellen Stumbo | Disability, Down Syndrome
We love the stories of people with disabilities accomplishing great things or “beating the odds.” Beethoven was deaf – he’s one of the most recognized composers of all time. Helen Keller was the first deaf and blind person to earn a college degree – she...
Ellen Stumbo writes and speaks about finding beauty in brokenness with gritty honesty and openness. She's passionate about sharing the real – sometimes beautiful and sometimes ugly – aspects of faith, parenting, special needs, and adoption. Ellen’s writing has appeared on Focus on the Family, LifeWay, MomSense, Not Alone, Mamapedia and the Huffington Post.