I’ve been watching a Web docu-series called The Specials, about the lives of five people living together. They are so inspirational, and full of character! Sam’s the cheeky guy, Lewis is pointedly funny, Lucy’s the responsible one, Hilly is the romantic drama queen, and Megan is the quiet overachiever. Lewis has Williams syndrome, while Lucy, Megan, Hilly and Sam has Down syndrome.

The Specials – Season 1 Highlights from KADA Films on Vimeo.

You can watch the whole 10 episodes on YouTube, and it’s subtitled, for those of us who can’t understand their English accent. Honestly, I hope Edry doesn’t end up being like Sam. I hope none of my boys do! ARGH!

A new documentary will be made as well, chronicling the lives of Hilly’s parents, Carol and Dafydd Williams, on how they set up the group home in the first place. This is a topic near and dear to my heart — how to care for Edry once he’s grown up, and in case I’m not around long enough to be with my kids. Who knows… this may be my calling.

Big brother Eric officially turned 9 yesterday. He wanted to celebrate it in Tuaran with our relatives, so I’m holding off buying the cake until tomorrow when he goes there (we planned to go today, but he misbehaved just now so he has to wait until tomorrow if he behaves well today). Yesterday was school day and it’s still in the fasting month, so he can’t bring a cake into class. I only took him to dinner at his favourite restaurant, Pizza Hut, after all of us returned home (by the way, I’m back at work after an almost-restful maternity leave, and why does Eric have to like Pizza Hut, the slowest fast food joint in the world with the worst service).

Baby laughters are so infectious, don’t you think? In my household, the only person who could make my kids laugh is Eric. He has a way with little children. Those babies and toddlers seem to gravitate towards him. Is it his voice that causes it? His face? His smile? Whatever it is, I’m clearly not complaining. Our family sure is lucky to have Eric around.

I went shopping with Edry yesterday. Maybe it’s how small Edry looks, but a few people saw him and said, “Kesian,” which is Malay for the word pity. Is this a habit for some people when they see a small baby? I understand if they say, “Aw, how cute,” which I am SO sure is developed out of habit. I know that because I used to not do that at all when I see small babies. I didn’t even care about babies and small kids until I become a mom.

Anyway…

I hope people won’t pity me for having a child who has Down. Nor do I want people to pity Edry for having Down. I just want people to understand that we need support like any typical moms and kids do. I want people to understand that Edry might need to be educated the way other children who have a hard time learning do. We need empathy, not sympathy.

Because if you could just give us the chance, if you could just be patient with us, Edry and differently-abled children can grow up to become happy and fulfilled. They are educationally-driven, run their own businesses, and can even drive around doing their own errands. They can even bust criminals.

So, you know… I’m OK. He’s OK. Life’s OK.

Don’t say you pity us. Just understand us. And give us a smile. That’s always a great way to make our day.

It was Monday.I go to the hall every monday.I was tired after the exam.I was walking to the hall.I was lining up.And I was standing and hearing teacher’s advise.After that my teacher said”Eric you got num.1 in class.”I was so shocked and I said ”Wow!Thank you teacher!”Ok that is all don’t forget to see The Last Airbender in 3D.