This Mother's Day weekend, I send out a note of thanks to all the women in our lives who give us support and encouragement, especially those who brought us into this beautiful world. Whether you wore Easter bonnets while watching the Royal Wedding, hid eggs or shared in children's chocolate last week or not, I hope you have a chance to enjoy being appreciated this Sunday. You are one of a kind and I am so glad we are in the world together.

To participate in free, fun online discussions, this site has a community forum all about childhood disabilities and our families, located here:

http://tinyurl.com/SpNdsFrm

The most recent message:
"I was very moved this week, reading stories by two moms of little ones with challenging beginnings - at the blog, Holly's House - Not a Perfect Mom
Holly wrote Brooke's Story at - http://tinyurl.com/BrookeStoryNAPM - and we can read about Addison in a guest post by Deanna (Everything and Nothing From Essex) - http://bit.ly/iDkBca ..."

Here's the latest article from the Special Needs Children site at BellaOnline.com.

Thyroid Problems and Down Syndrome
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art170946.asp
Children with Down syndrome have a higher incidence of thyroid problems that can have adverse effects on their health, development and emotional wellness.
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art170946.asp

Please visit specialneedschildren.bellaonline.com for even more great content about childhood disabilities and advocacy.

Gardening with Children
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art171221.asp

Elementary School Transition
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art50637.asp

Wearing Glasses in Early Childhood
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art54721.asp

Cataracts and Down Syndrome
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art65415.asp

Neurological Conditions and Disabilities
http://www.bellaonline.com/subjects/965.asp

Pain, Childhood Blood Draws, Injections, IV Lines
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art51944.asp

Transition to Preschool from Early Intervention
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art49696.asp

Transition to Kindergarten
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art49718.asp

Preparing for Emergencies with Children
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art50320.asp

Art and Self Expression for Children
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art17513.asp

Private Schools and Children w/ Special Needs
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art52889.asp

Homeschooling Children with Special Needs
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art45894.asp

Twins and Childhood Disabilities
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art171211.asp

Follow the latest 'tweets' and 'ReTweets' on childhood disability
at http://www.twitter.com/downsynadvocacy

Behind the GLEE: Robin Trocki:
http://bit.ly/iNI2Xq
The actress came to Marimor Industries in Lima
to let everyone know she's on GLEE...

Advocating for middle school students?
Young adult main characters w disabilities
http://tinyurl.com/4yf79ly
Browse books in the YA section like:
Don't Stop the Music by Robert Perske
2 teens w/ cerebral palsy
Show Me No Mercy - Down Syndrome
http://tinyurl.com/RobtPerskeBks

Sacred Cows http://bit.ly/ipu5M2
Calling unholy the inflated ball as a therapy tool.
occupational therapy pediatric physical therapy

By Any Other Name movie trailer
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r9Dl-NNtEDU
Actor w/ Down Syndrome Peter ten Brink

By Any Other Name had amazing success at the Sprout Film Festival!!
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Play-On-Productions/157863047557403

Our thoughts and prayers go out to all those affected by the Spring storms, tornadoes and flooding, especially in the south and midwest. I know some have been suffering in drought conditions, and there have been fires throughout Texas. This week we have been reminded of the terrible events of September 11, 2001 and other violence. For those who lost loved ones, and families of first responders, and those serving our country overseas or at home: I wish you comfort and peace.

I hope to hear from you sometime soon, either in the forum or in response to this email message. I thrive on your feedback.

Have fun passing this message along to family and friends, because we all love free information!

Pamela Wilson, Special Needs Children Editor
http://specialneedschildren.bellaonline.com

Parent Humor and Childhood Disability
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art59819.asp

A Brand New Baby w/ Down Syndrome
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art51264

Letter to Myself on Diagnosis Day
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art171469.asp

Gifts 2: How People with Down Syndrome Enrich the World
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art63458.asp

Thoughts from the Middle of the Night
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art32533.asp

Brothers and Sisters of Children with Disabilities
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art56919.asp

Grandparents and Childhood Disabilities
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art60481.asp

Inclusive PE and Childhood Disabilities
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art46155.asp

Recess Skills - Childhood Disabilities
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art432.asp

Explaining Disabilities to Classmates
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art70228.asp

Down Syndrome and Diabetes Dual Diagnosis
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art32543.asp

Celiac Disease and Juvenile Diabetes
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art48740.asp

Celiac Disease and Down Syndrome
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art48739.asp

Down Syndrome and Autism Dual Diagnosis
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art33178.asp

Thoughts from the Middle of the Night
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art32533.asp

Symptoms of Childhood Onset Diabetes
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art32583.asp

Type One Diabetes Information for Classmates
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art32541.asp

Down Syndrome and Juvenile Diabetes Dual Diagnosis
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art32543.asp

Accessible Playgrounds and Inclusive Play Areas
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art51542.asp
Childhood disabilities

Home Accessibility and Visitability for Families of
Children with Special Needs
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art37751.asp

Looking for info on Universal Design at
http://citytank.org

Rebuilding w/ Universal Design
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art61312.asp

Acknowledging Abused and Traumatized Children
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art70319.asp

Pain Management for Children with Disabilities
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art51895.asp

Teddy Bear Hospital Events for Children
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art66880.asp

School Violence and Children with Special Needs
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art50457.asp

Terrorist Attacks and Children
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art33401.asp

Parenting Children with Mental Health Issues
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art170784.asp

Mental Wellness in Pregnancy and Motherhood
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art170925.asp

Anxiety and Childhood Disability
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art59924.asp

Depression and Down Syndrome Dual Diagnosis
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art60685.asp

Disability and Future Planning for Parents
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art59032.asp

Bienvenidos Bebés con Síndrome de Down
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art32537.asp

Welcoming Babies with Down Syndrome
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art32534.asp

Accueillir les bébé trisomiques
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art32538.asp
French Welcoming Babies with Down Syndrome

Soothing Children's Fears
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art35602.asp

Children, Grief and Loss - Childhood Disabilities
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art8788.asp

Encouraging Children Who Have Cancer
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art33503.asp

Bilingual Children with Down Syndrome
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art51927.asp

Advocating in Multicultural Communities - Childhood Disabilities
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art11304.asp

Bienvenidos Bebés con Síndrome de Down
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art32537.asp

Welcoming Babies with Down Syndrome
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art32534.asp

Accueillir les bébé trisomiques
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art32538.asp
French Welcoming Babies with Down Syndrome

Faith, Religion & Children with Special Needs
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art52349.asp

WA Bridge Disability Ministries
http://www.bridgemin.org/about/history.html
Wheelchairs, Medical Equipment, Events, Companions

Voices In Disability & Spirituality from
The Land Down Under: Outback To Outfront
http://tinyurl.com/42q2zw6
Disability & our congregations

The Theological Voice of Wolf Wolfensberger
http://tinyurl.com/3nqpdww
and Receiving the Gift of Friendship by Hans S. Reinders

Spirituality and Intellectual Disability
http://tinyurl.com/3jlvzdh
International Perspectives on the Effect of Culture and Religion