The Jeremy & Mason Series 3/4: Lisa/Jeremy's Mom

(The Jeremy & Mason Series 3/4: Lisa/Jeremy's Mom)

"Everybody needs a friend. Its no different for our kids with DS. So often it’s all about making sure they are included with their non-disabled peers, but the truth is, a friend is anyone appreciates you for who you are. Friends don’t care about chromosomes.

Mason and Jeremy have developed a friendship because they share many interests. They love all kinds of music, rock, country, 70’s classics.. Hand them a microphone and a stage and they shine bright. We surprised them with concert tickets to see a country star. The venue was essentially standing mosh-pit style, with fans rushing the stage. Mason’s mom Julie and I quickly realized it would be tough for them to see the stage so we decided to stand on the side. But Mason and Jeremy had other plans and made their way onto the floor, and slowly inched their way closer to the stage as concert goers cleared a path for them to get to the front. We were suddenly unable to see them in the large crowd. The moms in us worried, 'what if they left?' or 'what if someone tried to take them out of the venue?' Julie was especially worried as Mason is younger and neither of us were at ease with them being at a jammed-packed concert without us right by their side, but I assured her they would be fine because Jeremy had his phone and would text if they needed us. Knowing they were there having fun helped us realize the importance of letting them be independent and not being those hovering mamas. They had each other, and together would be okay because that’s what friends do, they have your back!

As their friendship has become rock solid, so has the friendship between Julie and I. Our shared journey of raising kids with DS guides us as we prepare for their future. Those little babies that we worried about meeting so many milestones have turned into grown men and just as we helped them develop during the early years, we will continue to do so now."