Hudson's Journey
Hudson’s Journey: EXTRAordinary
By Mika Hartman
In 1959, the iconic Barbie doll went on display at the American Toy Fair in New York City. Since this time, over a billion Barbies have been sold. I grew up with …
Read MoreHudson’s Journey: EXTRA Perfect Day
After sailing on the 2022 Buddy Cruise, I knew it was not only something that every family on this journey deserves, but I also recognize that this journey has more expenses for some and vacations this big can be hard to go on. So I thought outside the box; if I could raise awareness,…
Read MoreHudson’s Journey: EXTRA Bold, EXTRA Loud, EXTRA Worthy
“Our children are worthy of EQUITABLE SPACE in this world. This is non-negotiable.” -Heather Avis of The Lucky Few Podcast This week my family had the honor of using our voices for needed change. We traveled to Washington D.C.; alongside National Down Syndrome Society, National Down Syndrome Congress, GLOBAL Down Syndrome Foundation and more…
Read MoreHudson’s Journey: EXTRA Buddies, EXTRA Fun
In September, my family went on an amazing vacation. A very needed vacation away from our house remodel, therapy and doctors appointments. When we booked this particular vacation, I knew it would be fun; however, I didn’t know the profound impact we had in store. We took our first Buddy Cruise. Buddy Cruise partners with…
Read MoreEXTRA Love This Christmas
As we all start to reflect on the year that is now past and to His birth and the (our) new beginning, I am reminded of how resilient we are; how hope is not gone. What the past two years have said about me is that I can bring needed change. My voice is powerful…
Read MoreHudson's Journey- Cole's Law
As we tiptoe into 2022, I am hopeful and, yet, I am angry. It's 2022 and we are still so far behind in protecting the biggest treasure we have: All Human Life. Mississippi is proudly leading this country down a new path, one that is long overdue; but we still have so many laws that…
Read MoreMS Governor Tate Reeves Signs “Hudson’s Law” to Protect Babies from Lethal Discrimination Abortions
Legislation Would Require Doctors to Provide Accurate Info to Parents That Will Empower Them to Choose Life The national pro-life group Susan B. Anthony List (SBA List) celebrated today as Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves signed the Down Syndrome Information Act, legislation that would require doctors to provide accurate and up-to-date educational information to parents of…
Read MoreEXTRA X’s and O’s
My husband and I have been married for over 24 years. Celebrating us today is as important as it was our first Valentine's Day. The first one, CJ came to my work and left perfume on my windshield. “Tommy Girl” perfume became my new favorite; I can still smell it. Not because it was the…
Read MoreThe EXTRA Awesome Day in March You Need to Celebrate
I started writing all about World Down Syndrome Day (WDSD) and how my family and I have been able to celebrate this day the last four years. March 21st wasn’t a day we even knew to celebrate before Hudson’s diagnosis. Now we have this annual beautiful day and it has the most wonderful fun meaning,…
Read MoreBeing EXTRA While I Can
“Every parent plans to raise their child for about 18 years, set them free for 30 years and then hope they come back to help them face the final years of their own life…. … A SPECIAL NEEDS parent can sometimes plan to raise their child for 65 years and while doing so also has…
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