It is Thanksgiving this week. My mom always makes us talk about what we are thankful for. Man I hate this sappy stuff….ugh, well here it goes:

Golden Retrievers: And the families and professionals who train them so I can have a companion like no other.

Teenagers: Who won’t admit to anyone that they like me but let me sit with them and their 30 friends at the high school football game.

Neighbors: Who let me walk in their houses like I live there and help myself to the frig and the remote.

Volunteers: Who take their time so I can play sports like any other kid.

Cousins: Who treat me like I live down the street and play with them everyday even though it is only a few times a year.

Teachers: And Speech Paths, and Paras and Principals who stand by me on my worst days and celebrate me on my best.

Best friends: Who laugh with me at all the same parts in Despicable Me.

Readers: Who take the time to read my blog so they can know me better.

Happy Thanksgiving.

Happier Times at Wheeler Elementary

Open Letter to Dr Lutz,
Superintendent Millard Public Schools.

Dear Dr Lutz –
Although I am not attending any of your public forums, your plans to redraw the Millard school boundaries have been brought to my attention. Please understand that I realize your challenge – managing new construction costs while balancing student populations. As much as I appreciate the position you must be in, today I appeal to your sense of manhood.

You see, your plan would include my younger sister and my neighbors (my sisters from other mothers) moving to my elementary school – Wheeler. Dr. Lutz – these girls are everywhere in my life – in my car, in my house, in my yard – generally they are in my face. And well, Dr Lutz – they are girls – do I need to go on? How much is a man supposed to take? Surely I should be allowed some peace and quiet during the hours of 845-345 Monday – Friday (and until 215 on Wednesdays).

Man to man, brother to brother – I ask you to reconsider.

Sincerely,
William Stoneburner
Wheeler Elementary 4th grader

Every single day of the week someone at my house plays soccer. Sundays are my day. And this Sunday was super aweseome. First, I got my new fall uniform. Second, we had a new group of coaches – the Omaha Football Club 15 year old girls team. Let’s just say I made the most of it. See below for some of my Twitter Press. #Casanova

I wish more people would ask me for advice. You see, me and my peeps live by some rules that would be very helpful for you guys in the typical community. For instance, Down syndrome rule 51: Say more with fewer words.

Let me give you an example.

Sprite has been at home with me for about a month now. Most reactions to her have been overwhelmingly positive. People think she is beautiful, well behaved etc. But a few people….maybe more than a few, have questioned her ability to help me. “So what does Sprite do for Will?” they ask in not a nice way. Actually in an almost accusatory way …like I don’t really need an assistance dog..or should I say don’t deserve an assistance dog…..

When my mom is asked this question she launches into her speech about communication, responsibility, companionship etc, etc. Why should she explain herself – explain us – to total strangers? It is none of their business. If someone is asking because they have a nephew with Down syndrome or a child with diabetes – of course, explain – the information might help another person. But that’s not what some of these people are after. They are looking for her to justify it. Justify me. Forget that.

So I told her about rule 51. I was working on a project at school and wrote out a page for my mom. It is pictured below. I brought it home and showed her. She understood right away. Now when people ask about Sprite in a rude way she simply says “Sprite is his helper”. Then she gives her best Vito Corleone “you got your answer now beat it” look.

Rule 51 – works every time.

This week I started back to school. I can’t believe vacation is over already. Below you will find a video recap of our summer. I hope you enjoy it. But as you watch it – I hope you will think about something. I want you to think about “The Look”

You know what I mean. “The Look” – I am sure you do it sometimes. It’s the look that typical people give to people like me. The look you give to the handicapped. The sweet smile, the head tilt. The Look that says, “Oh I am so sorry” “I feel bad for you and your family” “Too bad about your life”. I get it at least once a week. People who don’t know me at all make a judgment about my life and the life of my family and then they communicate it with their face.

I am going to be honest – I hate the look. And not only do I hate it – I don’t deserve it. People don’t need to feel sorry for me. I have an awesome life. I have two parents that I have trained to wait on me hand and foot, I live in a big house in one of the best cities in America, I go to an amazing school, I have two sisters who…..well okay every life has room for improvement. Take a look at my summer – I bet no other kid in my class had as much fun as I did this summer.

Yet people who don’t know me make an assumption about my life – they think I should be pitied – I should be felt sorry for. Not only do I not deserve it – I don’t appreciate it. It makes me feel bad. Makes my family feel bad.

So next time you feel the look creeping across your face – squash it. Instead give the same look you give to everyone else on the street. And inside your head hope that the person you are looking at has it as good as Will Stoneburner did in the summer of 2013.

Happy Fall!

This past weekend my mom and sisters went on their annual “Girls Weekend” with my cousins and aunties.

Can you tell from the photos how much I missed them?

Can’t wait for “Girls Weekend” 2014!!!

Everyone knows I have Down syndrome. And when most people think of my Down syndrome they think about the things that I can’t do as well as the typical guy. I can’t speak as clearly. Or run as fast.
What most of you don’t know is that there are many things that I do better – much better – than the typical guy.

For example, I find it very easy to appreciate the little things in life. I stop and take them all in. I feel a sense of awe on a daily basis. I find joy in the smallest events. I stop and “smell the roses” if you will.

Take last night. My best friend Aidan (who also has Down syndrome) and I got balloons from Red Robin. On a count of three we let the balloons go into the sky. We stood there watching their incredible journey as the dusk sky swallowed them up. We were amazed. It was just gravity. But we were captivated.

How about today you all do something for me? How about each of you reading this stops and takes in something small? Just like I do. I know, I know, there is email, and carpool and traffic. But do this for me…. just today….take one moment and smell the roses. Today, for me, “Watch the Balloons”.

Now I am going to go fart on my sister while she is sleeping…….late.

That’s me with my babysitter’s dog Comet. In just two short weeks I will meet my doggie!!

My mom and I called the doggie people last week and begged for info – can you tell us the name? the breed? the gender?

All they would say is that it has 4 legs and a wet nose – UGH!!!

Some kids have to make their beds, some have to do the dishes……my mom is making me blog.  Yep – you heard me  – blog.  Apparently my editor is too lazy to send my updates out to everyone who likes to read them.  If I write them here, it makes her job easier.  Whatever….all I know is there is a big fat picture of me at the top of the page and no mention of the princesses.  Cool.

I know I have been pretty quiet this summer……it’s because I have been killing it.  Swimming, basketball, birthday parties.  And most exciting – I went to my very first College World Series game to watch my favorite team the UCLA Bruins.  They went on to win it all – I am sure because of the attendance of their good luck charm – their number 1 fan – me!

Of course it hasn’t all been fun games – I have been seeing Mrs. Hough for speech and Mrs. Seeger and Mrs. Fusselman for summer school.  Was hoping those three were spending the summer in Botswana.

I guess if you want to continue to get my updates you have to follow this thing.  Just hit the Follow button at the top of the page and input your email.   And please don’t go passing this around.  This could seriously damage my rep.

Sincerely, W