When our son was born with Down Syndrome, the path of our lives changed forever. All our plans and expectations were suddenly put on hold and our lives became a rollercoaster of doctors and hospital appointments and therapy sessions.  

While we reeled from the shock of being thrown into this new world, we had countless well-meaning professionals welcoming us to Holland. If you know, you know. If you don’t, it’s a poem about how you always wanted to go to Italy, but your plane went off course and landed in Holland. You can Google it yourself because I hate it, it’s called Welcome to Holland.  

Over the years, as we watched our son struggle to do what comes so easily to other children, we’ve learned to celebrate the small things. We’ve come to appreciate the joy of an ordinary life.  

I’ve been to Italy and it was great. I’ve been to Holland too and that was great as well. But do you know what? Right here is pretty damned fantastic.