Spreading Love and Light: How a Special Volunteer is Making a Difference in Her Community
I was so happy to interview this mom because I know her as a fellow teacher in my school district, but I did not realize she had a daughter with Down syndrome until recently. Reading about all the wonderful ways Katie gives back to her community will make you smile. I am amazed at what a volunteer superstar this girl is. Read her mom’s answers to my questions and understand how Katie is living a very rich and fulfilling life. Volunteer work is at the heart of this family, and it is wonderful to see helping others is such a priority in all their lives.
October is Down Syndrome Awareness Month. This post shows the many ways inclusivity, empowerment, and personal growth are showcased. Participating in meaningful services not only enriches Katie’s life but also inspires others to embrace diversity and recognize the importance of every individual’s contributions.
1. What are some of your child’s favorite activities?
Katie loves to be around people. She enjoys volunteering at various organizations. Some of the places she volunteers at during the week is Embrace- a pregnancy care center in Barberton. Katie sorts and folds clothes and helps with any needed tasks. The Giving Doll- Located in Norton where she helps to make dolls for children in need. This organization has made over 70,000 homemade dolls for children all over the world. Marian’s Closet- Wadsworth-Katie sorts, folds, and hangs clothes for this clothing distribution center….Feed Medina County- she volunteers on Wednesdays in Medina…she fills bags of food for residents of Medina County or helps to sort and stack food on shelves Akron/Canton Foodbank: Katie fills boxes with 16 pounds of food so the boxes can be distributed to partner foodbanks around the Akron/Canton area…Lastly, on Fridays, Katie volunteers at her church…Prince of Peace Parish in Norton where she helps to dust and clean our church each week. Katie takes pride in all of her volunteer work. She loves helping people and we “celebrate” her hard work each evening as we sit down to eat. We always say a prayer and give a toast for having the ability to help other people within our community.
2. What is something your child is good at doing that is not reflected on tests?
We have always tried to teach our kids about the importance of helping others. While our girls were growing up, we always found ways to volunteer as a family. All of Katie’s volunteer work sums up the way we have given back to others in need. Katie is so proud of what she does and truly knows that she is helping those in need.
3. If you could describe your child in three words, what would they be?
Loving, caring, funny
4. How old was your child when you knew he/she had special needs?
I was seven months pregnant when I found out that Katie would most likely have Down Syndrome. I had some medical issues with my pregnancy in which my doctor had to delve into a bit deeper. I went to a specialist, and he confirmed a diagnosis of Down Syndrome. We were also told that Katie would have one leg longer than the other. I think I was more worried about that than having a child with special needs. Since Katie was our first child, I didn’t know what to expect, and maybe in hindsight, that was a good thing! We listened to doctors and specialists, but we always knew that we would raise her just like any other child. It wasn’t always easy, and we had to advocate for what we felt was best for our child, but we always worked with the professionals as a team approach. I think it turned out very well!
5. What is one piece of advice you have for someone with a newly diagnosed child?
Never let anyone tell you that your child won’t be able to do something. As a parent, you will always be there to advocate for your child. You are the one that can make anything happen for your child. There is always a way. Sometimes I think it is our job as parents of a child with special needs to teach the world that our kids can do incredible things!
6. How do you foster self-care?
( either for yourself or your child or both)? My husband and I probably don’t provide much care for ourselves! Our focus has always been for Katie and our other two daughters. We enjoy helping others, and that gives us much joy.
7. What are ways to help promote social skills you have found effective for your child?
Katie has always had many friends. She has several friends who are now married and have children of their own. She sends them text messages and phone calls, and many of them reciprocate. Some of them will take Katie out for dinner or a movie just so they can catch up as old-school friends. Katie has been invited to wedding showers, weddings, and baby showers of some of her lifetime school friends. Katie also goes to PALS Camp each summer. Katie has made some good friends at this camp as well. One of Katie’s roommates is a fifth-grade teacher, they have become dear friends.
Katie has been invited to her wedding shower, and we will be attending her wedding next month. Katie had developed some true friendships over the years.
8. Are there any support groups you recommend for parents or children?
We have never been a part of a support group. We just relied on ourselves and did what we felt was best for our child. Family is so important, and we were lucky to have my parents and family support us as we raised Katie.
9. What is one meal that everyone in your family likes to eat?
One meal our family likes to eat is anything Italian! We all love Italian food. It really hits the spot on a cold winter evening. Katie’s favorite Italian food is my lasagna!! Eating meals together is always something that we have done together as a family. It is a time where we can talk, share stories, and just enjoy each other’s company.
10. Please share anything else you want people to know. It could be something like the ways your child is awesome, your favorite family activities, or anything else you would
like to share about your child.
Katie is such a neat young lady. She is filled with joy and just loves life. She will tell people that she has Down Syndrome (of course, everyone can see that!) and she is so proud of who she is. My husband and I always say that we have a living angel with us all the time because she just loves everyone unconditionally and always sees the joy in everything she does. Katie loves her sisters and brother-in-laws but is especially proud that she is an aunt to her two nephews. Katie was on a cheer team for 14 years with a great group of girls. They went to cheer competitions and loved going to practice each week. Last year, Katie decided it was time to move on to some other activities. Katie plays tennis and is starting Buddy Up Pickleball each week. She enjoys walking and working out at the Y. She also loves to do crafts. Katie is an honorary alumnus of the University of Akron where the president had a special ceremony to honor her for being a special Zips fan and for being a great
supporter of the university. Katie’s plaque hangs on the wall to this day! We have so many “Katie” stories, but I am so happy to have had the opportunity to share some of our highlights of our special girl!!!
What a blessing to have someone who loves everyone unconditionally and always sees the joy in everything she does. I can see why her mom said they have a living angel with them. It is easy to understand how she has made many dear friends and is privileged to share the big events of their lives with them. Katie’s mom said she sometimes thinks it is their job to show the world that kids with special needs can do incredible things. Katie is proof of this as she is a volunteer superstar!
Volunteer work provides a way to give back and help individuals expand their social networks. Katie has discovered the joys of being a volunteer, and it promotes a sense of belonging while positively impacting her community. We should use her examples of giving back to find ways to give back to one’s own community. Engaging in volunteer work and making friends fosters social connections and highlights Katie’s unique strengths. She is spreading love and light to all who are blessed to know her.