A Journey into Grand-Motherhood

Sharks, Turtles and… Spiders!

2011-10-15T14:20:00.000+01:00

Last Sunday afternoon Cathal and I went to Sealife, an aquarium South of Dublin.The Sharks were a major hit, we spent a long time watching them and commenting on them.The turtles were also a favourite, we had to stop and admire them twice. But the second time was the best, as Cathal proved it is possible to play Hide and Seek with sea creatures.And to finish it all, yesterday evening I got a

In their own time… whenever that may be

2011-10-02T18:42:00.004+01:00

Cathal has never been a crawler, rather a bum-shuffler. He has developed his own very accurate and very fast style in this form of locomotion. Walking has not been that easy for him. Low muscle tones and weak ligaments in his ankles and knees have meant that standing and then walking were difficult for him. In the beginning his little legs simply could not position themselves well enough to carry

Sleepover Snapshots

2011-07-26T20:55:00.004+01:00

Snapshot no. 1 – Saturday morningCathal is brought over to me by the Mammy. He throws himself into my arms and holds on tight, so tight, for so long.When the Mammy leaves, he waves at her with a big smile and shouts “Byyyyye”Snapshot no. 2 – later Saturday morningMe: “We are going shopping now Cathal. What we will get?”Cathal: “Milk... Shoes... Apple... Banana”Total score: 3 out of 4 – His

Phone Conversation

2011-06-26T18:17:00.003+01:00

Since Cathal has been about 4 months old, I have often spoken to him on the phone. It’s a nice way to keep in contact between the times I can see him, and can hold him, hug him, kiss him, and play with him.In the very beginnings, Cathal heard my voice but had no idea where it was coming from and generally ignored it. Then came several stages when:- he licked the phone - must have tasted nice!-

Where is...?

2011-06-16T20:35:00.005+01:00

“Where is?” is a great game, with so many levels of complexity.As for any child, Cathal started playing it when he was very small. In the first version, we would ask him: “Where – is – yourrrr... NOSE?” and then point at it. And then we would repeat the question about an increasing number of body parts. After a while he did all the pointing himself.As Cathal got a little older, we moved on to the

As easy as putting one foot in front of the other

2011-05-15T20:32:00.003+01:00

It seems simple doesn’t it? At age 16, I found myself standing holding the hands of the physiotherapist who was in front of me, and wondering “how in the name of God did I do this before?” Following an accident, several months of immobilisation, and eventually extensive knee surgery, I simply did not know how to walk. My brain could not tell my wasted muscles to move. I had managed to stand up

So Little and So Huge

2011-03-20T18:23:00.001Z

Up to three years ago, I was living in a very cosy little life. Of course I knew that my environment was going to change because grand-motherhood was approaching, but how different could that be from the “same-old same-old” habitat I had known for so long. I had lived through many experiences, acquired a wide ranging knowledge, seen and heard a lot, taking on board some ideas and putting others

5 Words Make Such a Difference

2011-03-02T13:06:00.006Z

Our lives descended into emotional turmoil following Cathal’s birth. This new member of our family burst onto the scene with five little words:Down Syndrome Congenital Heart DefectsAnd nothing was the same again.Huge sadness. Gripping fear. Unbearable pain. Sense of Loss. Un-comprehension. Overwhelming powerlessness. Most of all, for the days and weeks that followed his arrival, the constant

A second Little Prince!

2011-02-25T20:42:00.007Z

Un deuxième Petit Prince! Meet Oisín, Cathal’s little brother, born this morning. Isn’t he beautiful? Voici Oisín, le petit frère de Cathal, né ce matin. N’est-il pas beau? Because of restrictions on visits in maternity hospitals at the moment (related to Swine Flu) neither Cathal nor myself have seen him yet “Face to Cuddles”, but Cathal is not too impressed by the photos.... Though to be

One Two Three… Five!

2011-01-23T12:41:00.000Z

Our Little Genius!

The Wheel of Life

2011-01-02T14:08:00.019Z

It ended almost the same way it started, very cold, and very white. Almost right up to the last few days of December, snow paralysed our little isle, just as it did at the start of the previous January. Never had we seen the likes of it before. Down to minus 17.5 Celsius! Unheard of in our usually very tempered Atlantic climate.Also unheard of were the events that brought us where the country now

Playschool?

2010-12-11T12:34:00.003Z

My oh My! It has been a while since I blogged. Two months in fact! I have never before been so silent, and this is not like me… In truth it has been a mixture of over-busyness (most of the time) and lapses into deep laziness (temporary but so rejuvenating). It is not that there is nothing to report. It is more that too many fingers into too many pies don’t do much for Reflection.The main event,

It’s the little things

2010-10-10T22:39:00.003+01:00

Ce sont les petites chosesIt is so easy to go along life taking things for granted, and then despairing that progress is not taking the more conventional route. Cathal is constantly reminding me that Little Things matter much more than I would have given them credit for.Il est si facile de voyager dans notre vie en prenant les choses comme des événements naturels, et en se désespérant quand les

Never Too Young to Start Reading James Joyce

2010-09-19T18:18:00.003+01:00

Books have always been part of my life. I do not know when I was given my first book, but I know they are always there. My earliest memory is of a brightly illustrated version of Goldilocks and the Three Bears. There was also at some point an Atlas of the World with illustrations of animals. I remember going over it, page by page, for years. So when my first child was born, I passed this love of

The Biggest News of the Year (so far)!

2010-08-22T18:52:00.003+01:00

Or “In Line for a 2nd Stripe”Yes indeed. I must have done something right in my position of Grandmother, and proven that I can fulfil all duties and responsibilities as per the Job Spec. Otherwise, I am sure Cathal’s Mammy and the Dad would not be offering me a 2nd stripe to pin on my shoulder by early next year!That’s right: Cathal will be a Big Bro in February. Wooohoooo is what I say to this.

Imagine… Imagine… Imaginosity!

2010-07-30T21:22:00.006+01:00

Our power of imagination is probably one of the best intellectual activities humans have developed over the last few millennia.Our imagination helps us extract reality from day-to-day routine, conceptualise it, and then escape. It can be very rewarding letting rip it in fantasy-land. It can be a pressure-release mechanism. I remember some years back in another “life” feeling under dreadful

Run Forest, Run…

2010-07-21T21:52:00.005+01:00

Not so sure about Forest, but this Little Granny has upped the ante. She is on fire, and already planning the next move…Let’s put things into perspective:Fact no. 1: This Little Granny can be very lazy if she puts her mind to it, and has no problem slouching on the sofa all evening, as well as most of a wet and windy weekend.Fact no. 2: She likes exercising a bit, and actually really and truly

“Whaza?”... Progress, that’s what it is!

2010-07-15T17:40:00.005+01:00

« Kèssè? » ... Du Progrès, voilà ce que c’est !I was very impressed a couple of weeks ago to hear Cathal saying to me “bi-KKKK”. It took me a few seconds to realise that instead of signing “biscuit” he was saying the word. In fact, Cathal is making incredible progress in with his communication. Every time I see him I need to catch up with his latest acquisitions. It seems that as he masters one

Marriage? Did you say Marriage?

2010-07-04T00:28:00.003+01:00

Or Racism et al – Part 2Some time ago I posted on “Ageism, Racism and Abilitism” in a general way, on what I had witnessed in others. And I did write that I would come back to the topic on a more personal basis. Then I got busy with this, that, the other, months passed… and Part 2 got pushed aside. But this week some event reminded me of my intention, so here goes. Put on your sun lotion, shield

I WON! . . . well, kinda!

2010-06-07T21:46:00.006+01:00

In my mind, I am a winner! Not only did I do the Women’s Mini Marathon today...but I improved on last year’s performance...by a very impressive (if I may say so myself) FIFTEEN MINUTES!!!!Here is the proof:Passing the start line at 1 minute 33 seconds:Passing the finish line at 1 hour 36 minutes 41 seconds:I may be a little granny (only 1m55, or 5ft1 in “old money”), I may not run or even jog,

Little French Hols

2010-05-27T22:01:00.015+01:00

Petites Vacances françaises.Cathal, his Mammy, and his Nan went to France on a little break recently, for a family event. It was not the first time Cathal was flying (in fact, the 3rd time in 11 months) but this time he really appreciated the experience.Cathal, sa Maman et sa Nan étaient en France récemment pour quelques jours, pour une réunion de famille. Ce n’était pas la première fois que

Can we? ... Of course we can!

2010-05-11T20:33:00.005+01:00

Or to borrow a well worn slogan: “YES WE CAN!”We can do anything we set out to do.We can develop our abilities to their very limit if we put our minds and hearts to it.We can change our view of the world to become more inclusive.We can take little steps every day, and when we look back we will see that we have travelled thousands of miles.The previous post on this blog was my 100th. A little

I am walking, I am walking...

2010-05-08T19:55:00.007+01:00

I got on so well last year with my first ever Mini Marathon that I decided to do it again this year: Bank Holiday Monday 7th June – Dublin – Women’s Mini Marathon – 10k – me and some 40,000 other women: the largest All Women’s event of this kind in the world! (And all happening in our little island of Ireland).And for someone who drives everywhere, 10k is a long way! So I have been in full

Did you say “I scream” or “Ice-Cream”?

2010-04-30T17:34:00.006+01:00

Well, something was bound to happen, wasn’t it? What, but with me poking my nose into all kind of things, and talking about this, that, the other, until something happens.And when one keeps pushing and shoving and being a general nuisance, one might get a phone call asking one to become “IT”. This happened to me a few weeks ago when I received a call from Down

A Few Titbits

2010-04-25T11:04:00.006+01:00

A few weeks ago I got tagged by Jazzy and asked to reveal a few things I like. And then I got tagged by Mel and asked to reveal interesting things about me.I have been very lazy on the blogging side lately, but I am finally coming around and, while I am bending the rules somewhat, it may be more fun to merge both. So here are a few titbits about me that I have not blogged about before.Number 1 –

It’s all good!

2010-04-19T21:12:00.003+01:00

The most important news,the BIG ONE,the one we have been waiting for, hoping for,is very, very good indeed.Cathal’s Mammy has the scoop here.Thinking of only this time last year, it’s a big sigh of relief all around.Little skip and dance, please.And then, there is the smaller news, of the “day-to-day” type. Actually, it’s not news as such, just nice progression, but it has me absolutely delighted

THAT is what makes it all worth while

2010-04-14T22:48:00.003+01:00

I have been feeling pretty good in the last 24 hours. I do not wish for what I am about to relate to be seen as something extraordinary; I do not wish to blow my own little trumpet; but yes, I do feel good. Because things have come full circle, in a nice, quiet and very unexpected way.It all started in April two years. Only a few weeks after Cathal’s birth, still under the shock of the diagnosis

Something very freaky here!

2010-03-31T22:14:00.005+01:00

Last week, I noticed that the Christmas cactus on my bedroom windowsill was... budding. Surely this could not be right.It usually starts showing little signs mid to late November, and is in full bloom (and by this I mean totally covered, like a perfect soft ball of pink) by early December, then it goes back to sleep for another year. I have another larger one, with differently shaped flowers, and

T’is me, t’is me...

2010-03-29T21:21:00.004+01:00

Last Friday evening, and Cathal and I are playing a fun game: “Where is…?”So I ask and sign “Where… is… Mamma?”And Cathal’s face brightens up, he looks left, right, left again, then points to the kitchen and signs Mamma.And yes, Mamma is indeed in the kitchen.So I ask and sign “Where… is… Dadda?”And Cathal’s face brightens up again, he looks all around, then points up and signs Dadda.And guest

3 * 21 – But Where Are They?

2010-03-21T16:31:00.004Z

Today, 21st of March, is World Down Syndrome Day, a day that:aims to promote awareness and understanding of Down syndrome and related issues: and to mobilise support and recognition of the dignity, rights and well being of persons with Down syndrome.3 * 21. 3 of chromosome 21. Who ever thought of using this date was quite clever. And it is only right to raise awareness of what is Down Syndrome,

CELEBRATION!

2010-03-10T06:30:00.000Z

The 10th March 2008 – Only a few minutes into our worldLe 10 mars 2008– Seulement quelques minutes dans notre mondeNext day, getting to know each otherLe lendemain, apprenant à se connaître 4 months old – 4 mois 5 months old – 5 mois 9 months old, with Super-Grand-Mother – 9 mois, avec Super-Grand-Mère 1 year old and so brave! – 1 an et si courageux !16 months old – 16 mois18 months old – 18

Simple moment, but a job well done!

2010-03-06T15:17:00.004Z

Moment simple, mais un travail bien accompli!Cathal adores emptying the clothes basket when his Mammy brings in the washing from the line. They need to be folded and put away, don’t they?Cathal adore vider le panier à linge quand sa Maman rentre la lessive de dehors. Le linge doit être plié et rangé, n’est-ce pas ? I love these simple moments, they are so precious simply because we are

A little Sunshine

2010-02-28T18:03:00.003Z

I was recently given a little ray of sunshine, in the form of this flower:It was given to me by Jazzy, who writes about very serious matters with, literally, a “step in her step”, a choreographed tempo in her posts. Thank you so much Jazzy for the compliments. And right back at you! So please add this flower to your collection.Now is my turn to spread the sunshine.And the Award goes to . . . (

Beware of Little Old Ladies

2010-02-16T21:34:00.004Z

They may not be so innocent.In fact, they may be down right nasty.Take Granny O’Grimm for example:I just love this film. It is so funny. It has so unnerving.And she is so vicious. Yet she seems to have so many reasons to be! I can definitely see her point.And I love the song during the credits...Not all grannies are like Granny O’Grimm. Not all grannies scare and traumatise children in such a

Prince Charming

2010-02-13T21:59:00.003Z

So it’s Valentine season again. Who wants a lovey dovey card?Who wants a bouquet of red roses?Who wants a box of chocolates?Or a nice romantic dinner? I like receiving cards, but where expressions of love are concerned, somehow the mass-produced sickly-sweet hastily signed card does not cut it. A personal message, from the heart, carries more weight. I love flowers, roses, white lilies, and above

Normal, Average, and Foxy Business

2010-02-07T22:29:00.005Z

Or Coming out - EpilogueFebruary 2010 has started much milder than the end of 2009 and January 2010. I woke up yesterday morning to the sight of a pheasant going about his pheasanty business on the green that my bedroom window overlooks. Spring may be coming. I often see pheasants there on weekend mornings, and more often than not I actually see several of them together, the most was last spring

Coming Out? Chapter Two

2010-01-27T14:24:00.005Z

I recently learnt that John Chambers, CEO of Cisco, e.g. one of the world top business people, belongs to my club as me, and has apparently been very open about it. This got me thinking. A little research later, and I realised that a large number of business people are also members, such as, but to name a few, Richard Branson (of the Virgin Airline and Virgin TV fame), the Naked Chef himself

It’s a Big One!

2010-01-20T06:00:00.009Z

C’est un Grand!Update 21.01.10 (evening): it seems there was a worldwide problem with Blogger.com, all videos are showing as black. Fixed now! - Il semble qu'il y avait un problème général avec Blogger.com, toutes les vidéos apparaissant en noir. Rectifié maintenant !:-)Today, 20th January 2010, Cathal’s Mammy is celebrating a Big Birthday. You know, one where the first digit changes...Aujourd’

Coming out? Chapter One

2010-01-15T16:52:00.005Z

The Emerald Isle decided to change colours for a few weeks and become a Marble Isle. Cold, ice and snow are usually encountered only a few times a year here and to such a high “degree” Celsius that it lasts only a few hours, a day or two max. A week before Christmas an artic front descended on Europe, and for once included us: it took hold of Ireland and settled in with vigour, paralysing the

Now, that’s what I call beauty…

2010-01-13T21:00:00.002Z

Thanks to South Dublin Dad, here is a little piece of magic – I am sure he won’t mind me “borrowing” it? After all, he “borrowed” it too! ;-)Watch and marvel, as I did – I was so touched by the beauty of the people portrayed. I found myself crying at it, while laughing at the humour displayed.For more photos, click here.Enjoy.

Let’s all stand up...

2009-12-23T20:46:00.006Z

Levons nous tous...... and shout:...et disons bien fort: “Happy Christmas!”« Joyeux Noël ! »

We will miss you Helane

2009-12-18T13:07:00.005Z

My very good friend Helane passed away yesterday. She fought the insidious disease that is cancer for 7 months, won a major battle last October when all the tumours vanished, only to reappear within a few weeks and spread with incredible speed (I have already posted about her here).I understand that last weekend Helane made a list of all the things she wanted to do “to put her affairs in order”

Pre-Weekend Madness

2009-11-27T20:10:00.003Z

Things have been quite depressing in Ireland these last few days.The rain and the subsequent devastating floods in the West and South are beyond belief. Lush green rainy Ireland has surpassed itself this time – I heard earlier this week that the whole Shannon river system received in 3 weeks one third of the average annual rainfall. No wonder the rivers have spread themselves so far, wide and

Friends!

2009-11-22T12:30:00.010Z

Amis!It’s official. We are friends. And I am not the one saying it!C’est officiel. Nous sommes amis. Et ce n’est pas moi qui le dis!The younger we are, the easier it is to show our emotions. It is when we grow older that we learn to hide them (for all kinds of reasons) or to minimize them. However expressing our feelings at a young age can be a difficult task. Emotions are felt, where as feelings

Precious Moments

2009-11-01T10:34:00.006Z

Moments précieuxEvery Wednesday night Cathal’s Mammy and the Dad go back to school (apparently all to do with Cathal, and communications, and all that…) so Cathal and I can spend some time together, without the parents around… Yeah!Tous les mercredis soir, la Maman et le Papa de Cathal retournent à l’école (apparemment cela à pour sujet Cathal, la communication, et tout ça…) et Cathal et moi

I AM ANGRY, VERY ANGRY!

2009-10-25T15:43:00.001Z

I am indeed so angry that I have decided to take action. In conscience, I can no longer remain silent. My sense of injustice has reached it’s tolerable limit. I have cried at listening to some of the stories in the last few weeks, or reading about them in the media, or on the Down Syndrome Ireland Forum website.So today I emailed our Minister for Health and Children, and then forwarded this to my

UP with Hammie and Boo

2009-10-11T18:53:00.005+01:00

Or Racism et al. (part 1)I was very honoured this week to be asked to join Hammie and her son Boo to go and see the film UP with them yesterday. I love animation movies, I am quite a fan in fact, and have been for a long time. Truth be told, I probably not only never “grew” out of them, but enjoy them more as time goes by: the level of sophistication, on the technical side of course, but also in

Independent Living

2009-09-27T10:31:00.003+01:00

We all take independent living for granted. At least where we ourselves are concerned. We grow up thinking that “when we are big” we will have our own home, a job, drive a car, have our own family. This is the natural order of things, and we usually do not see any other way for our lives to be.Shortly after Cathal was born I became acutely aware that he might not achieve this independence of

Hi hi hi!

2009-09-13T17:28:00.011+01:00

Cathal’s Mammy and the Dad were very busy this Saturday, with a social occasion that required their absence from home until late that night. So Cathal and I decided to have some fun of our own.La Maman et le Papa de Cathal étaient très occupés hier samedi, avec un évènement entre amis qui a signifié leur absence de chez eux jusqu’à tard dans la nuit. Alors Cathal et moi-même avons décidé de nous

Changing Attitudes

2009-09-08T20:13:00.001+01:00

This post is more than anything a personal reflection as I take stock of yet another change in me. Putting emotions and reactions into words and sentences helps me make sense of things, and this is one of those instances. I need to be brutally honest, and look at “me” in all its non-glory to understand what has happened here. So if anyone reading this is into much lighter stuff, or does not feel

Sardinia Unspoiled

2009-09-06T18:00:00.019+01:00

Holidays are over, I came back very late last Monday night, full of heat, and sun, and nice food, smells and images to last me quite a while. Landing in Dublin to a temperature of 13 degrees (Celsius) after anything from 36 to 40 in the afternoon shade on the coast and just under 30 in the mountains was to be expected, but still a shock to the body! I do love heat, and I still think that, though

RESPECT!

2009-08-23T21:52:00.004+01:00

What an experience I have had in the last 3 days as I attended the World Down Syndrome Congress in Dublin! I will not be able to do it justice in one single post, but I wish to convey here the two foremost impressions I have taken home with me.During the opening ceremony, May Gannon (who works with Down Syndrome Ireland, whom I have had the pleasure to meet several times, and who is the person

D is for…

2009-08-19T16:34:00.009+01:00

D is for Donkey,and for Ducks,and apparently for Chickens,and for Tricks!En anglais, D est pour « Donkey » = âneEt pour « Ducks » = canardsMais apparemment aussi pour poules, et pour performance ! And also for Hugs, of course!Et aussi pour Câlins, bien sur ! Sorry for the sound: today was warm, but oh so windy!Désolée pour le son, il faisait bon aujourd’hui, mais avec beaucoup de

Sleep Over

2009-08-18T20:30:00.006+01:00

Cathal came over this weekend to spend a night, away from his Mammy and his Daddy who where otherwise occupied. It was the first time he had been away from them for more than a few hours, and he was very good. Need I say that we had fun? But he was very, very happy to see them again, 24 hours is a long time for a little one.I am not sure if he thought he was going camping, but he had bought his

August is here… and Dublin is It!

2009-08-03T13:09:00.004+01:00

Apparently, August is here. Looking out, you would not think it. The summer seems to have been here for a few days in, when was it? May or early June, may be... and then truly gone. Where is the sun? And I mean lasting sun, not just a few minutes to tease you outdoors and then reward your courage with a magnificent and powerful rain shower. I mean, come on! Third rotten summer in a row... enough

What a Night!

2009-07-28T15:00:00.012+01:00

So last night I went to see the Boys since they were in town.Anticipation was high, especially as I had never, ever, been able to see them live until now. Had heard a lot on the media, of course, and from some people who had seen them on the Friday and the Saturday night...Everything I heard, everything I was told was so, so wrong. Because...Oh!My!God!What a Night! What a Concert!What a Show! It

BBBBook!

2009-07-25T16:03:00.006+01:00

Ireland. Land of Saints and Scholars.I am not much into Saints. Scholars are more my thing. Actually more novelists and playwrights.If I was playing the Word Association Game and asked to give the first name that came into my head for “Irish playwrights”, my answer would be Samuel Beckett and Oscar Wilde. In particular I would think of a powerful interpretation of Beckett’s En Attendant Godot (

Better not ask the reason why

2009-07-12T19:26:00.006+01:00

Three years ago, on a beautiful Saturday evening on the 15th July, a young, vibrant, talented girl called Catherine, with nothing in front of her but Life, lost hers by the side of a country road near Waterford. She was killed as the 16 year old driver lost control of the car she was a passenger in.Catherine was 13.I will never forget the shock of the phone call I received the next morning. I was

It’s a Protest

2009-06-28T20:25:00.004+01:00

And it was my first. Yes, it’s true, I have never taken part in a public protest, until yesterday.Hard to believe, considering I grew up in what I can safely term a “militant” country, and spent my teenage years in a post-1968 Paris. My parents and I moved back to Paris the Christmas following what has become known in France as “les Evénements de mai soizante-huit” (can be translated as “the

We are family!

2009-06-25T22:09:00.009+01:00

En famille.So we were all near Paris last weekend, that is Cathal, his Mammy, the Dad, his uncle, and myself. A big family do with LOTS of people. The first time in years that every member of my dad’s family (aka: Super-Grand-dad) was under the same roof. We realised afterwards that they were in fact 5 generations together, as one on my dad’s aunt was there too!Donc nous étions près de Paris le

To All the Dads

2009-06-18T21:14:00.004+01:00

It’s your turn. Didn’t I tell you it would come, some months back when I celebrated all the Mammies? Well here it is. Daddies are great. They come in all kind of shapes and sizes, physically, mentally, emotionally. Yet what you see first is only a front: I love the way they can just transform before your eyes once they start talking about their children. Forget the tough guy attitude, forget the

Please, oh please don’t!

2009-06-14T22:35:00.003+01:00

I amended my last post with an afterthought, a little tongue-in-cheek to lift the mood. And I need to lift my mood. Because I have been feeling a bit down these last few weeks. Is it the reactions to the emotional trauma we went through two and three months ago? Is it the reality of the full blown harshness of life, as I witnessed it around me when Cathal was in hospital, just hitting me now?I

Where did it all go?

2009-06-08T22:16:00.006+01:00

From my first hand – and first time – experience of the Women’s Mini Marathon a week ago, I have been mulling over an impression I got on the day. I remarked on it to Cathal’s Mammy as we were making our way through the crowds, passing some, being passed over by others. And it is this: baring two exceptions, all the women I saw on the day were wearing T-shirts of organisations that provide

WE DID IT!!!!

2009-06-01T19:51:00.004+01:00

Cathal’s Mammy and myself took part in the Women’s Mini Marathon today, and we did very well. Not only did we walk the full 10 km, but we walked them in what I think is an impressive 1 hour and 52 minutes. A total of 112 minutes for 10 km, not bad considering that two months ago I found walking more than 2 km VERY taxing, and daunting, and that Cathal’s Mammy had done what we could term “very

Improvised Picnic

2009-05-30T17:23:00.007+01:00

Pique-nique improviséYesterday afternoon, Cathal brought his mum and myself to the RDS so that they could collect their official entry tag for the Women Mini Marathon taking place on Monday. The Women’s World Exhibition was on in the same place, and between the goodie bag given to each lady collecting her tag, and all the free stuff handed around, including extra “for the little one” – we learnt

Grand, isn’t it?

2009-05-04T10:51:00.011+01:00

Words are strange phenomena... The same word can mean so many things to different people. Especially when a “cultural” slant is brought into the situation.For example, in English-English, the adjective “grand” means: “splendid, magnificent, imposing, dignified… of chief importance… of the highest rank… excellent… great” – Hum hum, went back to my Oxford dictionary for this one!But in

Home!

2009-04-20T21:10:00.009+01:00

Yes, at last, after 6 long weeks, Cathal went home this evening...! HOORAY!!!!What an adventure this has been! His Mammy will soon pick up the threads on her blog, I am sure, and I will be able to resume my “Grand” position.In the mean time, I want to say a few “thank you’s” to several people – sorry if I sound like some recipient of an Oscar, a Bafta or some other award:- All of you who read

Looking Good…?

2009-04-18T11:52:00.002+01:00

Last Monday, Cathal started “eating” – meaning that food and nutrients entered his body via his mouth, not the IV tube, for the first time in over 3 weeks. Though we are not sure he appreciates the hospital’s particular delicacies, his mammy’s cuisine is so much nicer! But still...On Thursday, the pesky NG tube was pulled out, for good – and this time Cathal did not take care of this delicate

Early Easter Sunday Morning

2009-04-12T18:41:00.008+01:00

Tôt le matin, dimanche de PâquesI have not seen Cathal in such a good form since the surgery as when I arrived early this morning in the hospital. Later on, he even started flirting with his nurse… That is our Cathal! A really pleasure to see him like this.Je n’ai pas vu Cathal d'aussi bonne forme depuis l’opération que quand je suis arrivée à l’hôpital de bonne heure ce matin. Plus tard, il a

One Month On

2009-04-09T20:26:00.008+01:00

Un Mois après It is a month since Cathal’s little “pump” has been repaired. A very good job has been done, and everyone is happy with it. It’s pumping away nicely, almost as completely as it should do. The little monitor by his bed tells the story, the heart beat count is “normal” and the oxygen saturation levels are top of the range - 100%. We had never seen figures like this during his previous

A Kinda Miracle

2009-04-06T21:42:00.003+01:00

After a weekend of wondering if the healing process had finally taken hold in the one part of Cathal's body that was still resisting, of hoping that the cardio-surgical team would not have to resort to the extreme measure that would be sure of success but bring more pain to this poor tiny boy (see last post), we now know.It has kinda, and no they did not.The miracle we hoped for has kinda hapened

What Are the Odds?

2009-04-04T19:37:00.003+01:00

As I watch helplessly Cathal going through the various stages of his recovery from open heart surgery, I have been wandering what odds he has beaten to be where he is and have what he has.Statistics are not my forte, but I had to dabble in them at one stage. I don’t remember much, however I think I can still remember how to calculate the odds of a series of events happening. So if any

I Finally Got Them!

2009-04-01T19:24:00.002+01:00

At long long last, after years of trying, going on line well in time, and waiting, waiting, waiting some more (I draw the line at queuing all night in the street, and paying anything else but face value), after years of hoping, wishing, and bemoaning to all and sundry that it was not fair that people get SIX of them for TWO NIGHTS in a row, and I could not even get two, just two, just this once,

First Official Interview Since…

2009-03-28T10:59:00.019Z

Première Interview Officielle depuis…Prince Cathal has been feeling increasingly better these last few days and decided yesterday, to statisfy all his fans, to allow the international press into his hospital room for the first photos since his Big Op.Prince Cathal se sent de mieux en mieux ces derniers jours et a décidé hier, pour satisfaire tous ses fans, d’autoriser la presse internationale

In and Out

2009-03-25T09:24:00.004Z

Poor little Cathal has been having it rough. It’s not surprising after the kind of surgery he has had. He has been pricked, poked, jabbed, cut. Cannulas, drains, and leads have been inserted. He has been given morphine, pain killers, antibiotics, drugs for speeding this up and drugs for slowing that down, more drugs for assisting this and other drugs for preventing that. And I am not even

To the Mammies

2009-03-21T21:10:00.005Z

Because of the day that is in it, I want to salute the Mammies.Being a Mammy is not an easy task, at the best of times. I will not go so low as to expand in the vein of the sickly sugary-coated way the cards being given this Sunday are written. I simply want to acknowledge that, though the rewards, and the joys, and the love received back, are beyond the comprehension of those who are not Mammies

Oh Yeah, Yeah, Yeah!

2009-03-17T21:11:00.000Z

Forget about toying with the idea of doing the Fat Monica Dance… We are way passed this stage!Cathal was transferred out of ICU this evening. He is nicely tucked away in his little room in St Theresa’s Ward in Crumlin Hospital, all warm and comfy (well, kind of, the poor little thing) with his Mammy and the Dad by his side.I was able to see him, talk to him, touch him and kiss him. He gave me a

Oh Yeah!

2009-03-16T20:59:00.009Z

Seven days after his open heart surgery, Brave Little Prince Cathal is giving us an excuse to celebrate. Oh Yeah!The pacemaker has been switched off all day, his little heart is doing ALL the work ALL by itself. Oh Yeah!The Ventilator has been completely switched off this afternoon and the tracheal tube removed. Oh Yeah!Cathal is still all doped out – he will need some detox when this is all over

Bubbles, bubbles everywhere…

2009-03-14T09:58:00.004Z

Des bulles, des bulles partout…Cathal is recovering, very very slowly but very very surely. His parents keep a vigil by his side in ICU, and I keep a vigil by the phone. It’s been a long few days, but all the messages we have received have been so heart-warming, and of great help.Cathal se remet, très très doucement mais très très sûrement. Ses parents veillent à ses cotés en Soins Intensifs, et

Easy does it…

2009-03-12T21:40:00.001Z

Indeed, “very” easy does it. Or “little by little”…And when a “little” precedes the word “progress”, then we have a “little progress”. And THAT little progress is much better than no progress at all. So there we are, with Cathal making one little progress at a time, a tube removed here, 2ml of his mammy’s milk (a drop!) ingested there, a breath taken on his own. All progress!Isn’t Time the great

Update

2009-03-11T15:19:00.001Z

Following Cathal’s heart surgery on Monday (aka: The Big One), our little man is stable, but his recovery is very, very slow.So any spare positive thoughts, good vibes and even prayers that can be sent his way are more than welcome.;-)

What a Ride!

2009-03-10T11:58:00.003Z

Day 1 (10th March 2008) started with the knowledge that a brand new little person was going to join our family that day.Day 365 (9th March 2009) ended with this little person lying in Intensive Care recovering from open hear surgery that very afternoon.What a ride it has been during these 365 days!My little Prince Cathal, today, on your 1st birthday, while you are enjoying the relative comfort of

Told you so!

2009-03-04T18:46:00.011Z

J’te l’avais dit!So there I was some weeks back, all worried about Cathal, and solid food, and spoon feeding, and so on. And Cathal gave me three little lessons on the day in question (details here). The update? He was right, I had nothing to worry about. The proof? Here are some photos taken by “Paparazza Great-Aunt Dom” Monday evening as Cathal had come to my home for a sleeping-over with his

Great Aunt

2009-03-01T12:27:00.008Z

Cathal has lots of great aunts. He has also one Great Aunt from France who is visiting him these days.She is my only sibling, my own little sister, closer in age to Cathal’s Mammy than to me, and – to make things more confusing – her third child is only 8 ½ months older than Cathal… And these things are supposed to happen only in large Irish families???So here she is shortly after she arrived (

It’s Contagious!

2009-02-26T19:04:00.003Z

A few days ago, I came across the quote below on the net. When I first starting to read, I though it was one of those sick “jokes” about DS, or another piece of tripe written by people who have negative opinions on everything they fear and yet know nothing about.But I kept reading… I leave it to you all to judge for yourselves...“Down syndrome is a genetic disorder characterized by a triplication

Forget the Words

2009-02-22T19:18:00.002Z

My last post might have been a clue: I like words. I like pondering their true and assumed meanings, tossing around the various concepts they may carry. Though I usually prefer using simple words, I love exploring the etymology of words I come across in my diversified readings. I also enjoy examining the syntax of phrases I encounter, playing with various interpretations, weighing the context in

Missing Something

2009-02-16T07:52:00.002Z

For a long time, it was thought that people with DS were “missing something”. During the 1950’s, a young newly qualified French doctor joined a small team of researchers in Paris; some of the team were working in a brand new field: Genetics. This young man, Jérôme Lejeune, was given by his direct superior the task of examining in greater details the catalogue of traits that the English physician

Art Has No Limit

2009-02-08T18:09:00.008Z

... And if any one thinks otherwise, show them this hauntingly beautiful film I found while visiting Emma Sage’s blog. I have watched it several times…A little digging on the net tells me that it is an “award-winning video from Iceland, conceived by and supervised by the musical group, Sigur Ros and the filmmaker, Agust Jacobsson, featuring the Perlan special-needs theatre group acting out a

Why Don’t You Trust Me?

2009-02-04T17:22:00.005Z

It is probably fair to say that I have some life experience behind me: over half a century on this earth teaches you a few things. Among others I can mention:Growing up in one country, then adapting to and finally adopting the subtly different ways of another;Going through the varying shades of marriage life, from the very highs to the very lows;Having two beautiful children, and guiding each for

Just to let you know...

2009-01-20T13:05:00.002Z

Just to let you know... It is Cathal's Mammy's Birthday today... the first as a "Mammy"!My little girl, my first baby, is all grown up and moving up the ladder of life...HAPPY BIRTHDAYto Cathal's Mammy!

One Last Game Till Next Time…

2009-01-08T18:05:00.012Z

Un Dernier Jeu Jusqu’à la Prochaine Fois…Cathal’s Great-Grand-Parents went back home to France yesterday, but not after spending one last day with him. He got his Mammy to drive him to his Nan’s home (Nan missed it all because she was at work, sniff!), and got Super-Grand-Mother to play with him, while Super-Grand-Father played photographer. See for yourself!Les Arrières-Grand-Parents de Cathal

Calling All Grandparents

2009-01-04T18:15:00.002Z

Becoming a grandparent is quite an experience. First you realise that you are passing into another “generation”. For someone like myself who has always felt that, despite an apparently responsible outlook, I never really “grew up” (whatever that is supposed to mean, I’m still wondering), it feels very strange indeed.Then there is the exciting prospect of being able to do with this child all the

Because I Can!

2009-01-02T15:44:00.012Z

This post is simply because I can, because my Little Prince is too cute not to share him.Cet article est simplement parce que je le peux, parce que mon Petit Prince est trop mignon pour ne pas le partager.By New Year’s Day, Cathal was feeling much better than for Christmas.Arrivé au Jour de l’An, Cathal allait beaucoup mieux qu’à Noël. Cuddle with Super-Grand-Mother.Câlin avec Super-Grand-Mère.

A Busy Day and Some Wishes

2008-12-30T15:48:00.016Z

Une Journée Chargée et des Souhaits. This was Cathal’s first Christmas. And even though he was not feeling his best on the day, he was still the star attraction, displaying all his talents.C’était le premier Noël de Cathal. Et bien qu’il n’était pas en grande forme ce jour-là, il était quand même la vedette, faisant démonstration de tous ses talents.He played music to accompany our meal.Il

T’is the Season to be Jolly…

2008-12-23T16:35:00.000Z

Or so we are told.I have learnt over time that this season and all its merriment can actually be quite “un-jolly”, if not dam right difficult for some.It can be due to money (or lack of), health, and a range of other concerns that weigh heavier on the mind and heart than the seasonal hype. In fact, I have come across so many people who put on a brave smile around this time of the year, pretend to

Super-Grand-Parents!

2008-12-20T19:35:00.005Z

Cathal’s great-grand-parents arrived from France yesterday to spend Christmas and the New Year with him!Les arrière-grand-parents de Cathal sont arrivés de France hier pour passer Noël et le Nouvel An avec lui. The plane got in right on time so that they could be driven from the airport straight to Cathal’s school Christmas Party!L’avion est arrive à l’heure si bien qu’ils ont pu aller

Bureaucratic Wastage

2008-12-16T19:16:00.001Z

This could be also called “Mad Update on the Update”.We are told that we live beyond our means.That the State is short of money, that the Government needs to save everywhere it can.To this effect, last October, our new Finance Minister, supported by various colleagues, proposed a range of cutbacks for the next year. Following on the announcement made regarding the Disability Allowance, I had

Hibernation

2008-12-07T16:45:00.003Z

Winter is upon us. Temperatures below zero at night mean that, as I set off to work in the early hours of the morning, well before dawn, roads are white with frost, my fingers feel like icicles, my mind is doubly numb with sleep and freezing fog.Why do we spend so much energy at this time of the year, more energy than at any other time? Just when we need to conserve all the calories we have to

Thankfully

2008-11-27T21:46:00.002Z

Thanksgiving is very much an American celebration. In Ireland, turkeys need to wait until Christmas before they are deemed fat and juicy enough to adorn the family table, alongside all the traditional trimmings of ham, mash and roast potatoes, cranberry sauce, and of course the dreaded Brussels sprouts.I have just read today's post on Angela’s blog where she describe how The Tribe, this English

So Do-able!

2008-11-23T17:42:00.002Z

Often times we think of something we would like to do, but then refrain from taking action, because, well, we couldn’t really, could we? I mean, most of these things are done by a special kind of people, aren’t they?Take giving blood, for example. I have thought about doing it for years. And for years, I thought it really was not for me. I am SO squeamish for one thing. And my pain threshold is