Edition #9: A Story About My Little Sister, Kaitlin
Plus, the secret to creating more happy memories, a beloved new drug, and some Michael Che drama
A Note from the Editor
My little sister, Kaitlin, has Down syndrome. Kaitlin good at many things: dancing, making people smile, being a loving aunt, but one area she struggles with is her speech. While she's extremely smart and aware, her words form in a way that most people can't understand, which naturally causes some challenges in her life. Another note on Kaitlin: she loves to make homemade cards, and nearly every time I see her she gives me a stack of paper filled with doodles of smiley faces and phrases like "happy birthday", "best friend" and "love".
Over Thanksgiving break, our older sister got married and Kaitlin was the Maid of Honor. A few days before the wedding we were getting ready to sit down for dinner and I noticed Kaitlin was visibly upset. When I asked her what was wrong, she told me she was looking for a piece of yellow paper. At first I shrugged it off, figuring it was another one of her many handwritten cards. When it became clear that she wasn't going to stop until she found this mysterious paper, I decided to help her look-- and eventually, we found it.
Later that evening someone suggested Kaitlin practice her Maid of Honor speech. Before her practice run, she ran off into the other room and came back with the newly recovered yellow paper in hand. She began practicing her speech, reading from the "notes" on the page, and suddenly the quest to recover the paper made perfect sense. What didn't make sense why I assumed the paper was nothing, and why we (her family) and others constantly and unintentionally underestimate her intelligence and sense of person just because she's non-verbal. In the end, Kaitlin’s speech was better than most of the canned ones you hear at weddings; long and sweet, heartfelt by way of her facial expressions and hand gestures. And she held on that yellow paper the entire time.
This story was inspired by a lovely Opt-doc I saw this morning about having a sibling with Down syndrome, and it's worth taking 7 minutes out of your day to watch. Cheers my dears, and I’d love to hear about your thoughts about our automatic correlations between speech and competence.
Three Pieces of Content Worth Consuming:
The Secret to Creating More Happy Memories. Think about your first kiss. Can you tell me where it happened, how old you were and how you felt afterwards? When we experience something for the first time we're far more likely to remember the details, accounting for why people tend to romanticize the earlier years of life, when firsts are frequent. I love the idea of intentionally incorporating more firsts into my own life; seeing, tasting, and experiencing new things to create a steady stream of joyful memories.
The Beloved New(ish) and Totally Legal Drug. If you haven't heard of Kratom until now, it's safe to say you aren't one of the estimated 10 to 15 million Americans who use the powerful, trendy drug. A fascinating exploration into the plant-based substance that people use to kick opined addictions, to get high and even to replace their morning coffee. As of now Kratom is totally legal, but the federal government is considering a total ban -- much to the dismay of scientists, who argue that we need to understand (and regulate) this potentially game-changing substance. Color me intrigued.
Inside the Lives of Two Homeless Children. Living in a city like New York, where most residents encounter homelessness on a daily basis, can cause a serious lack of empathy towards the escalating crisis. After all, it's easier to use the blanket "they're all on drugs" rationale than it is to face the harsh reality of people sleeping on the streets. This beautiful photo essay puts homelessness into a different perspective, giving us a glimpse of the daily lives of two homeless children in NYC, and I hope it inspires you to challenge your own stance on the situation.
Perhaps You Should...
Nix Eating Out, and Try This Challenge Instead
Nix eating out for a few weeks and try cooking all ten of these recipes instead. I'm a sucker for a good resolution, so this month I vowed to not eat a single meal out in favor of cooking for myself. It was important that I still eat delicious meals during this self-inflicted restaurant free period, and the recipes in this plan have surprised me in the best way. They're simple, delicious, large enough in quantity to get me through a full week, and believe it or not, I haven't missed eating out (yet).
(Utterly Frivolous) **Bonus Content**
I'm a big SNL fan and I've followed head writer Michael Che on Instagram for some time now, so I'm accustomed to his tendency to pick on random internet strangers. I'd written off his (oftentimes petty) wrath as a comedic style, but after reading this account from a man on the receiving end of Che's endless trolling, I'm no longer sure it's all in good fun.
A Quote From A Book You Should Read:
" I was at the age at which parents suddenly transform from people who know everything to people who know nothing."
-The Testaments by Margaret Atwood
This newsletter is best served with a side of conversation, so drop your opinions, reflections, and thoughts in the comments below and let’s get to talking.
Or, share the most thought-provoking piece from today’s edition with someone you love, then call them up to discuss, debate, and percolate. As a wise woman once said, “Great minds discuss ideas.”