Sometimes what seems like a thoughtless design incorporating a disability awareness message or function is misinterpreted by those who have not thought out the actual challenges that a person with that disability experiences; or assumes the person with a disability has limits they do not experience.

A quarter century after children with Down syndrome and other developmental disabilities demonstrated the benefits of mainstream kindergarten for themselves and their classmates, parents are still finding obstacles to enrolling their 5 year olds in neighborhood schools with their mainstream peers.

My son has been a fan of baseball since he was a toddler. Many other children and teens with Down syndrome love the game, just like their mainstream peers.

Mothers of children with disabilities can feel isolated due to insensitive comments and discrimination against their children; feelings of failing at being congenial 'ambassadors' - as well as the usual reasons mainstream moms feel they not living up to an ideal vision of perfect mothering. Whew!

Children and teens with Down syndrome have been models in catalogs and newspaper advertisements for the past quarter century, delighting and inspiring families and communities.

When my son was born with Down syndrome, I could not imagine his kindergarten year in a mainstream classroom, with friends and birthday parties, learning to read and write, or sharing his thoughts during story time. I thank all the moms looking forward, who are always reaching back to help others.