#lifewithds

共喜共喜！新年快乐 y’all! Happy new year with love and happy tummies from the Gks! 🍊🍊💰💰🐭Have a happy long weekend friends and fam! Feast much but don’t forget to take good care of yourselves ❤️ #downsyndromeawareness #downsyndrome #lifewithds #trisomy21 #t21 #dslife #familygoals #familyfirst #specialneeds #specialneedsfamily #specialneedssiblings #healthyhappy #familylife #familylove #specialneedsawareness #familywellness #siblinggoals #familymatters #familymattersmost #brothersisterlove #countmyblessings #countblessings #brotherlove #chinesenewyear #yearoftherat #cny2020 #lunarnewyear2020 #chinesenewyear2020 https://www.instagram.com/p/B7unel8DhtK/?igshid=1b5nx15de5b81

As a full grown adult, why is @nothingdownaboutkenny still having trouble with his reading and writing? While early intervention is key, individuals with Down Syndrome present a wide spectrum of physical, cognitive and social characteristics and abilities. Kenny spent a good chunk of his life in and out of the hospital up till he was a toddler due to his immune system and lack of accountabilities from medical practitioners. I won’t go too much into it but back then, support wasn’t as readily available and communication wasn’t as open as it is now. Now that Kenny is done with school (up till 18yo), we’re brushing up on his ABCs with some homeschooling/bonding sessions. Even with his motor and neuro challenges, he works hard to get them right and every milestone is celebrated with a huge roaring YAY and a hug. The sky is the limit for this one 💙💛😍 #gksibslife #downsyndromeawarenessmonth 
https://www.instagram.com/p/B4Ltlf_jEJ1/?igshid=1axkhfsqjvl5k

Celebrating October cause it’s Down Syndrome Awareness Month! Will be sharing a little more about trisomy21 and this one right here this month. The degree without a doubt varies from one person to another, but the ‘intellectual disability’ part does come with its set of vulnerabilities. One of which is obsessive compulsive behaviors in which the person exhibit a tendency towards repetitive actions and routines. This has been quite evident with @nothingdownaboutkenny and his comfort in his fixed routine and attachment towards certain things and activities, as simple as they may be. From changing the kitchen towels on our countertop right after his afternoon snack to picking up and placing down the towels 4-5 times before leaving. Every single day. Typically we can compartmentalise and adapt with some sort of understanding and justification when things don’t go the familiar way. But for someone without the innate & cognitive ability to reason why, the anxiety and discomfort is truly magnified. Again, it varies from one to another and some are able to process faster and communicate their concerns more effectively than others. Kenny has a harder time expressing his and thus our patience and understanding towards his anxiety is so so crucial. I’m learning so much from this one every day and I hope some of what I share can give you a little insight on those with DS or others special needs. 💙💛 #downsyndromeawarenessmonth #gksibslife 
https://www.instagram.com/p/B3Iqom1nyZD/?igshid=1ui5up2s2rnjq

I’ve been asked by some how it feels to have a sibling with special needs/DS. I can’t imagine being without one. He’s all I’ve ever known and I can’t be more thankful for that. Of course it does come with a different set of issues as its not sunshines and daisies all the time, but who doesn’t? I have fears and mixed emotions but don’t everyone? In this case, fear is only going to distract me from the beauty of what we have now. You’d think we’re the ones responsible to teach him things, but for the most part he has taught us so much more. For those of you families/siblings going through #lifewithds, I know you’re with me. And I hope the rest of the world can have an inkling of what it’s like to have their hearts touched by the beauty of Down Syndrome. 💙💛 #thankfulThursday #downsyndromeawareness #limitlesslove It’s okay to ask, in fact it’s better to ask (in a respectful manner) and have an open conversation about it instead of making assumptions and/or stay ignorant to the different colors of the world 🌈 #gksibslife
https://www.instagram.com/p/B2kv6lxjrpD/?igshid=1pi10s1w1pnzn

Being invested in my wellness means having to question everything I’ve ever known about my health. From reading and researching ingredients, to letting go of certain products I was so comfortable using (and didn’t think twice of the repercussions), to switching to natural chemical-free products. If we don’t question, how was I to know that the products I was professionally advised to use was only to cure a symptom and not the actual problem while also adding up to the mix of chemical havoc in my body from a lifetime of exposure? This wellness journey isn’t an overnight fix and the seasons of life will naturally bring about new challenges but it also means to question and to educate myself on the products I consume and use and how they affect my body, mind and soul. Even @nothingdownaboutkenny knows. Do you? 😉

(at Singapore)
https://www.instagram.com/p/B1sPTrEjUzu/?igshid=1re5l3g75dd5k

When you tryna take a selfie but felt the need to fix your hair at the very last second 😂🤷🏻‍♀️ 
https://www.instagram.com/p/B1pkBDkjK2-/?igshid=147dloujgf396

Weekend special moments with favorite @nothingdownaboutkenny 😍💙💛 #smileysunday #gksibslife 
https://www.instagram.com/p/B1kjxi1jFbF/?igshid=tes228gsg550

Morning stretches with @nothingdownaboutkenny 💙💛 People with the trisomy21 genes tend to have joint hyperflexibility due to the looseness of their ligaments (ligamentous laxity) especially in their elbows, hips, knee joints and ankles. Most are also born with low muscle tone (hypotonia) which altogether add up to their flexibility and lower motor control. So if you’ve ever wondered people with Down Syndrome tend to walk/move in a certain way, now you do! FYI, these stretches were a total piece of cake for him. To more simple workouts and stretching sessions with this trooper! 💯🙌🏻 #wednesdayworkout (at Singapore)
https://www.instagram.com/p/B1IVIQqjHid/?igshid=asn6pl115ugk