Penny in Her Own Words: What I Thought About Netflix’s Down for Love
October is Down Syndrome Awareness Month! To celebrate, Penny will take over my account once a week and share her thoughts about teenage life, having a job, school, and more,…
Why Go to Hope Heals Camp | Penny in Her Own Words
Years ago, I wrote a piece for the Huffington Post called “Missing Out on Beautiful.” It was prompted by my realization that it was really hard to capture Penny’s true…
Camp PALS and Belonging
Penny sent me a text on her first night of Camp PALS: “With my favorite girl at my favorite place.” The next day, the text read, “Best year ever.” Penny…
Penny: Facts About Me That I Believe Are True
In honor of Down Syndrome Awareness Month, I asked Penny to share some thoughts about who she is, what matters to her, and what she would like other people to…
Penny Sharing in Church for DSA Month
As a part of Down Syndrome Awareness Month, Penny had a chance to share some thoughts in front of our congregation on Sunday. She talked about what she appreciates about…
Camp PALS | Penny in Her Own Words
Penny had a chance to go to Camp PALS with her friend Rachel after two years of waiting due to Covid. PALS is one of the places where Penny comes…
Interview With Penny for World Down Syndrome Day
Penny, March 21 is World Down Syndrome Day. It’s a day to celebrate the lives of people like you, who were born with Down syndrome. Can you start by telling…
Penny in Her Own Words: The PATH Process and Planning for the Future
I asked Penny if she would be willing to answer a few questions about her experience with the PATH process. These are her unedited responses: How would you explain what…
Penny in Her Own Words: Down Syndrome, School, and Friends
My name is Penny and I have an extra chromosome because I have Down syndrome. In my daily life I wake up independently, make breakfast, and go to school. My…
In Her Own Words: Penny’s Advice to a Student Beginning Ninth Grade
I asked our daughter Penny to take a few moments to reflect on her experience in ninth grade. We talked about how there are all sorts of things that happen…
