Ups and Downs
. . . I knew it would be a challenge
to overcome the limitations
Down syndrome brings, but I
was . . . determined to help her
succeed at whatever cost.
By Melissa Cassulis
It’s a brand-new day, a fresh begin- ning. I mentally “gird up my loins” and then search the house for my little pupil. Will today be a broken
record of “No want! NO want!” or will
it be the sort of day when Hannah does
a little jig, eyes shining, and says, “Oh!
Skool! Okay, Missa!”? I can only cross my
fingers and hope.
When I took on the responsibility of
teaching my sister, I had visions of hours
spent in the glider reading storybooks and
snuggling, of finger painting and crayon
coloring. How hard could preschool be?
I wasn’t blind; I knew it would be a challenge to overcome the limitations Down
syndrome brings, but I was willing to take
up the fight and determined to help her
succeed at whatever cost.
We have certainly had our share of
rocky days! Her propensity to fling ev-
erything keeps me chasing pencils and
worksheets around the room. Those vi-
sions of finger paints quickly turned
into nightmares. Be ye not fooled by her
peaches-and-cream exterior. I continue
to be amazed by the way someone so
beautiful can cause so much trouble!
When not chasing Hannah around, Melissa spends her days with her family, managing their farm and multiple markets,
running her home canning business, and
shopping. She is also the graphics designer
for NYS Loving Education at Home, and
she likes to unwind with a tall stack of
cookies left over from the market and a pot
of Earl Grey tea.
