Rising Kites

Please join me to support Rising Kites and all the amazing work they are doing to celebrate the gift of Down syndrome!  Their mission is to encourage families, provide resources, and support to those within the Down syndrome community. My goal is to raise $2,000 for the month of March to celebrate Down syndrome awareness and all of the programs Rising Kites provides.

After moving to Holland, MI, I was able to quickly connect with some incredible women and “lucky few” moms that have kiddos with Down syndrome. I was invited to a Rising Kites event to celebrate moms where we made beautiful flower arrangements, but more importantly built community and connection. Throughout my life and the various challenges I have faced, it has always been much harder when I have felt alone. Having a prenatal diagnosis for Jolene was full of its challenges, but the weight was lightened by meeting other families and their beautiful children.  

Rising Kites is a non-profit organization that partners with 137 health care facilities to distribute “Rising Kites Bags” to families in all 50 states and 22 countries. When your child has a prenatal or birth diagnosis of Down syndrome, it is unexpected and full of every emotion possible. These bags are filled with local and national resources to help families navigate a disability diagnosis and various gifts to foster encouragement and connection to the new “lucky few” family they are a part of. These bags represent hope. 

Rising Kites also has a coffee shop that provides employment and job training opportunities to individuals with intellectual disabilities, currently employing 8 people so far! This warm, inviting environment fosters inclusion and community. At Rising Kites Coffee, there is a banner with a quote that brings this mama to tears. “There is no greater disability in society than the inability to see a person as more.” - H. Hensel. My view on people with disabilities has changed since having Jolene and I hope that the future is filled with more acceptance and possibilities for her. Jolene’s life is valuable and her future should hold no limitations.