Today we’d like to introduce you to Linda Bonner.
Hi Linda, so excited to have you on the platform. So, before we get into questions about your work life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today.
My first child was born in August of 1989. Overall, I had a good pregnancy, and other than a long labor, everything went well. Then, the doctors walked into the recovery room and told me my son had Down Syndrome. My world stopped.
I was overwhelmed with first becoming a parent and second being the parent of a child who needed specific medical attention and therapies to meet his daily needs… In my desperate search for information on how to be the very best mom, I met with and talked to anyone who could expand my base of knowledge.
I found that there was so much to learn about my child and his needs! I admit I was very impatient. Finding and accessing the resources I needed took a lot of work. I struggled with uncertainty, especially in the beginning.
We experience motor skill and language delays, heart surgery, pacemaker surgery, various heart diagnoses, celiac disease, navigating the school system, finding employment, and searching for activities to keep him engaged and challenged. The time we spent building a great life for him has had so many benefits. He is living independently, is thriving and has a full and engaged life in a community of friends.
Little did I know that this would be an incredible journey and adventure from despair to joy, from feeling alone to finding a community I could connect with, from sadness to being able to celebrate my extraordinary child with Down Syndrome.
I wrote the book “Blessed with Extraordinary” for parents and caregivers of children with Down Syndrome. It is designed to share the encouragement I received while raising my son. It is a toolkit of resources, a roadmap from birth to adulthood, and a guide to building the very best life possible for families and their children.
I’m so excited to be able to share our story, lessons learned, and tips and resources to guide parents at any point in their caregiving journey and to be an advocate for the Down Syndrome community.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Raising a child with Down Syndrome certainly has its challenges. My son was diagnosed with a heart condition at birth and, at 10 months old, had heart surgery. It was such a frightening and difficult time. I’m happy to report that the surgery was a success, and just after surgery, he began pulling himself up.
Finding activities for children with disabilities is also challenging. We were told no many times but eventually found therapies and activities that were a perfect fit. Hippo therapy, swimming, occupational and speech therapy, basketball, and other Special Olympics. I never gave up.
Navigating the school system taught me the importance of advocating for his needs. I had to learn to speak up for exactly what he needed to be successful in school. He loved attending school! He made many friends, participated in regular education classes like theater, and found joy in the everyday.
When he was in his 20’s his heart started beating irregularly almost overnight. One day, he was fine, and the next, he was lethargic and couldn’t stay away. When the doctors told me he needed a pacemaker, I was shocked and scared. I thought pacemakers were only for elderly people. However, this is exactly what he needed. Once he had the surgery the next day, everything returned to normal.
The major struggle for most parents is acceptance in the community. It’s no fun having someone point or stare at your child. I had to remember that it was my responsibility to teach others to value and respect my child with Down Syndrome, to remind them to be patient so that they could experience his sweet smile and joyful disposition.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
My new book, Blessed with Extraordinary: Support and Resources for Families of Children with Down Syndrome, is now an Amazon International Bestseller. I’m very proud of this book as it helps families navigate and connect with the disability community. Because it’s written by a parent for parents, it’s relatable and inspirational. It provides hope and encouragement for families in a very personal way.
They can find topics such as:
Self-care for the caregiver
The Caregiver’s Bill of Rights
The importance of teaching independence skills
How to find support and resources in your own community.
How to build a personal support network.
Resources for educational support, personal support, government agency support, and legal support.
As a disability advocate, I work with families and caregivers who want to build a fulfilling life for them and their children so they can experience true joy on their journey. My passion is speaking to groups and connecting with individual parents and caregivers.
I’m also an artist and card designer for my business, Linda Bonner Studios. It feeds my creative soul, and I love designing cards, gifts, and art that help people connect in a very personal and meaningful way. My miniature art has been sold around the world through Art-O-Mat, a refurbished vintage cigarette machine turned art vending machine. I’ve been designing and creating miniature art since 2018 and have made thousands of pieces since then.
What were you like growing up?
I had so much fun as a child. As the oldest of 4 girls, we were constantly doing something creative! There was always a craft in process, and we did a lot of cooking, baking, and sewing.
Babysitting was my first job and I kept busy caring for many of the children in my neighborhood. If my memory serves me right, I believe the hourly rate then was $1.00 per hour!
I was drawn to music and started playing the piano at age 10. Playing in recitals and learning new songs was such a joy. In school, I learned clarinet and loved being part of band. Today, I enjoy a variety of music genres and love to dance.
Pricing:
- Blessed with Extraordinary: Support and resources for families of children with Down Syndrome – $19.99
- Blessed with Extraordinary – Companion Workbook – $9.99
Contact Info:
- Website: https://lindabonnerstudios.com/
- Instagram: @more_extraordinary_days
