Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About Keizertimes. (Salem, Or.) 1979-current | View Entire Issue (April 3, 2020)
PAGE A4, KEIZERTIMES, APRIL 3, 2020 KeizerCommunity KEIZERTIMES.COM Keizer woman connects mothers of kids with Down Syndrome BY MATT RAWLINGS Of the Keizertimes Ever since TiAnna Wright gave birth to Andrew, her 18-month old son with Down syndrome, she has been in- volved with a number of groups for parents with chil- dren that have Down syn- drome. But earlier this year, Wright decided that she wanted to step out of her comfort zone and create a group of her own. “I have been feeling like I needed to do this for a while,” Wright said. Wright recently created a local moms group in the Sa- lem-Keizer area for mothers who have a child with Down syndrome. The initial plan was to have monthly walks or coffee house hangouts to share what it’s like to be a mother of a child with Down syndrome. But when the spread of COVID-19 hit in March, Wright initially felt like she needed to put every- thing on hold. However, thanks to Zoom — a video service that has be- come increasingly popular for those in quarantine — Wright and the other mothers in the group were still able to meet up over the computer. “I was missing people, it was so great that will still got to do it virtually,” Wright said. Having comradery and fellowship with other moms with children who have Down syndrome has been a blessing to Wright for a litany of different reasons. For instance, Wright loves being able to celebrate with mothers when one of the children take a step forward in their development, like when one of the kids started to walk with the assistance of a roller, or when another child begins to eat fruits and vegetables. To many, these achieve- ments might not seem like a big deal, but to Wright, as well as other parents of children with Down syndrome, they are a source of joy. “Certain things are a real- ly big deal to our kids, so it has been really fun to cele- brate and cheer with mommas when their kids accomplish something new,” Wright said. “There are plenty of people that are super caring and un- derstanding with Andrew. But with other mothers who are going through the exact same stuff as I am, they just get me.” Being Andrew’s mother has taught Wright a lot about Down syndrome, but it has also taught her how she can better support those who are disenfranchised. “Andrew has really opened my eyes to a lot of things in this world, because this world is not catered to him,” Wright said. “It made me understand privilege and the inequality people face in this world.” One of the moms that connected with Wright was Rachel Prescott, the mother of twin girls that have Down syndrome. Prescott has a blog called doublingdownmom. com where she writes about how she and her family nav- igate how to parent and ad- vocate for her two daughters with Down syndrome. Prescott, who has more than 90,000 followers on Ins- tagram, talked about how im- portant it is for families that have children with Down syn- drome to seek out friendships and relationships with people who face similar challenges. ‘Angel’ donor delivers cause to celebrate TiAnna and Andrew Wright “When you’re a mom that receives a prenatal diagnosis of Down syndrome, it’s easy to be overcome by fear. A lot of information on children with Down syndrome is outdated and incorrect, so to be able to go to have community with real mothers who know what you’re going through, that is a game-changer,” Prescott said. “There is such a beauty in it, and that’s really encouraging.” Wright says that the mom’s group will continue to chat via Zoom until the COVID-19 pandemic comes to an end. She hopes to plan a mom’s night out, as well as schedule play dates with entire families. “You need that per- son-to-person contact. It’s im- portant to connect and have fellowship. Without it, the journey can get a little lonely,” Wright said. “It’s been pretty special how it all worked out.” The mom’s group is open for new members. To join, reach out to Wright on Face- book or Instagram. health issues, By ERIC A. HOWALD he and his fam- Of the Keizertimes David Dowell was only ex- ily are limiting pressing his frustration when their exposure he posted on a Keizer Face- as much as book group that his son, Zach- possible. The ary, would have to forego cake family planned and candles on his fi fth birth- to forego some day. He ended up calling down of the festiv- ities typically an angel. “What I was trying to do associated with was express the frustration of a birthday for all the parents who are going Zachary, but through this and the sacrifi ces Keizerite Me- the kids were having to make,” gan Ford saw said Dowell. “I wasn’t really ex- Dowell’s post pecting anything to come of on the Keizer Submitted Community it.” Zachary Dowell didn’t have to skip cake and Dowell is having to take Bulletin Board candles on his fi fth birthday thanks to the extra precaution because he and wasn’t go- kindness of strangers. suffered a heart attack almost ing to let that a year ago. Doctors installed happen. But, when he opened the front a pacemaker to help moder- “I have a son who just door, the delivery had already ate his heartrate, but his body turned 5 on March 1, right been made. hasn’t acclimated well to the before all the crazy happened. “I couldn’t imagine not addition. When I read that his being able to at least give my The health prob- 5-year-old wouldn’t child a cake to celebrate. I was lems cost him his even get a cake it extremely happy to be able to job as a car salesman tugged at my heart,” help bring some joy during and then his family Ford said. this time of uncertainty,” Ford lost the home they Ford was at the said. were renting from store buying a cake, Dowell said the outcome his employer in St. candles and ice was beyond anything he might Helens. Dowell’s cream in no time. have expected. brother offered him Dowell wanted “I felt like we’ve been bless- a home in Keizer as to pay Ford for the ed. We’ve been through hard long as the family kindness of the ges- times recently, but to have Megan Ford paid the associated ture and messaged someone reach out and make bills. her about leaving sure our son had a birthday As a result of the COVID-19 money in a folder on the front party … she was literally an pandemic, coupled with his porch or donating to a charity. angel sent to us,” Dowell said. LAWN SIGNS GO OUT APRIL 4 IF YOU HAVE A SIGN FROM PREVIOUS YEARS, PUT IT UP REQUEST A SIGN BY EMAILING bill@billpost.com WE WILL DELIVER TO YOU T H I S A D PA I D F OR B Y F R I E N DS OF B I L L P OS T #StayHomeStaySafe #ThisTooShallPass God Bless Oregon! WorshipDirectory These Salem-Keizer houses of worship invite you to visit. Call to list your church in our Worship Directory: (503) 390-1051 KEIZER COMMUNITY CHURCH www.KeizerChristian.org 380 Churchdale Ave N (1 block West of Dutch Bros) 503 -393 - 0222 • KeizerCommunityChurch.com SUNDAY: 9:30 am Sunday School (all ages) 11:00 am Worship Service WEDNESDAY: 6:30 pm Awana; Youth Group; Adults
