Throwback Post: Make Every Moment Count – D iz for Different Review

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November 10 2012:

Thank you tons and tons Terry Torpet Vasenden for the beautiful review on Amazon … I appreciate it so dang much … Can’t wait to give you a big ole HUG!!!!!

“Camilla’s love for her children, her struggles and successes, and her insight of how to navigate the whole ride will inspire you to be a better parent, search for and find joy, and make every moment count. Camilla shares her story of how to enjoy the journey – even when it isn’t always the path we planned or even imagined. Lots of practical tips for all of us, and tons of great resources/action plans for those facing the challenges that come with being an advocate for a child.” – Terry V.

Throwback Post: Special Needs Book Review – D iz for Different

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December 3 2012:

Thank you tons and tons to Lorna of Special Needs Book Review for sharing about ‘D iz for Different’!!! Check out the FB page .. GREAT resources y’all!

For my C18 family: Got a link to C18 website and some info about C18 in the article too!

“Feelings of isolation and overwhelm keep special needs parents stuck, especially when coupled with deeply ingrained erroneous thought habits,” said Ms. Downs. “Special needs parents can unknowingly isolate themselves and begin viewing their lives in a negative way. These findings from the discussions and interviews that went to the writing of D iz for Different have been further confirmed by the hundreds of discussions that have been generated since its publication in May of 2012,” she added. Downs wrote and ….

Special Needs Book Review is pleased that yet another author agreed to introduce her book to our readers. This guest post is by Camilla Downs the author of D iz for Different – One Woman’s Journey to Acceptance. Since the book’s publication, Camilla Downs has undergone her own professional transformation with a career change from social media consultant to special needs parent coach and mentor, offering hope and guidance to others parenting kids with special needs. Congratulations Camilla on all your achievements! Thank you so much for sharing your story with us. First, who is Camilla Downs?

Camilla Downs is a special needs parent mentor, guiding parents to help them decrease feelings of overwhelm by shifting their views and showing them they are not alone. Her book, D iz for Different – One Woman’s Journey to Acceptance, was published in May 2012. The book offers Ms. Downs personal experiences in facing and overcoming life’s trials with grit and humor, along with providing practical “Tips for the Journey” throughout the book. Others parenting kids with special needs will be able to relate to Camilla’s journey.

More About the Author

D iz for Different – One Woman’s Journey to Acceptance by Camilla Downs will be of interest to others parenting children with special needs. Camilla Downs is also an advocate of living an adventurous, inspired and different life than expected. With these new life experiences, Camilla has now become a motivational speaker.

Team TLC helps parenting Kids with Special Needs Camilla is mom to 11 year old Lillian and 7 year old Thomas. Lillian is a child with special needs who was diagnosed with 18p- when she was 3 years old. They call themselves Team TLC and share their journey on the Team TLC website .

What Is 18p-?

D iz for Different – One Woman’s Journey to Acceptance- Powerful Truths for Others Parenting Kids with Special Needs by Camilla Downs

Camilla Downs is a Reno-based single mother of two children, one of them with a significant chromosomal disorder. Ms. Downs’ personal struggles inspired her to write D iz for Different – One Woman’s Journey to Acceptance specifically for parents of children with special needs. Downs’ work underlines a clear message: You need not feel isolated and overwhelmed. She offers this group of families, now numbering in the millions in the U.S., inspiration, hope and specific advice and actions to help them become unstuck and more effective in their personal and professional lives.

“Feelings of isolation and overwhelm keep special needs parents stuck, especially when coupled with deeply ingrained erroneous thought habits,” said Ms. Downs. “Special needs parents can unknowingly isolate themselves and begin viewing their lives in a negative way. These findings from the discussions and interviews that went to the writing of D iz for Different have been further confirmed by the hundreds of discussions that have been generated since its publication in May of 2012,” she added.

Downs wrote and self-published D iz for Different in less than a year, prompted by her experiences as a single parent devising creative solutions to life’s challenges, including financial struggles. Friends and professionals who saw the value of a self-help book geared towards parents of special needs children donated services including the book’s cover artwork and design, editing, proofreading, interior layout and design.

Endorsements for D iz for Different include Julie Zigler Norman, author of Growing Up Zigler: A Daughter’s Broken Journey from Heartache to Hope, and Jim Stovall, Emmy award-winning best-selling author of The Ultimate Gift.

Here is a short book trailer of “D iz for Different”

Amazon reviewer, Kathy Buchanan said, “An uplifting and honest book about facing life’s challenges. The book teaches you that how you respond to adversity is within your control and that you can still be happy even when circumstances are less than perfect…”

Camilla Downs author of book on parenting kids with special needsIn another Amazon review, Liz Arches said, “A is for Amazing, B is for Beautiful, C is for Camilla and Courageous…When you see someone who is making such a fantastic job of parenting in difficult circumstances as Camilla is, it can be awesome in the sense of ‘daunting’ as much as ‘inspiring’. It might be hard to imagine that you could ever do anything like the same. But first-time author Camilla is happy to admit that none of this came easy to her, and to acknowledge that it doesn’t come easy to anybody. She just wants to share the positive attitudes and techniques that have worked for her and which might be helpful for other parents, offering parents the opportunity to enjoy every minute of every day with their children. And it’s all presented in short, pithy chapters, so you can get on with that enjoyment all the sooner!”

https://www.specialneedsbookreview.com/2012/12/01/d-iz-for-different-parenting-kids-with-special-needs/

Throwback Post: Successfully Infecting People with the HappY Virus

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December 20 2012:

Keep on Keepin on Spreading HappYness! We have successfully infected more people with the HappY Virus!

Message I received today from someone in Canada:

“Hi Camilla! Got my book today and I’m so looking forward to curling up with my tea to read it! I also can’t believe it got here before Christmas! Hope you’re all ready for the holidays. A and I followed your lead and spread some love. We made simple treats that A could help with and she delivered them to all of our neighbours. We also delivered to an older couple up the street that we don’t really know….and their reaction warmed my heart. They were so grateful for a very simple gesture that they came to our house a few days later with a story book for my kids and to say thank you. It’s always nice to make new friends.”

**MARCH 6 2023 UPDATE** – This was about my first published book, “D iz for Different – One Woman’s Journey to Acceptance”. Go here to learn more:

Author

Throwback Post: Look Beyond Limitations – D iz for Different

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July 18 2012:

Amazon Reviews:

Terri Barfield Craig says, “Camilla and Team TLC’s journey and life lessons, as shared in this book, will inspire you to look beyond limitations and gain new perspectives on what it means and how it feels to be “different”. It will change the way you see life in general. Not only is this book a phenomenal tool and resource for those with special needs children/adults in their lives, but it includes many nuggets of wisdom for the rest of us as well. I highly recommend it!” ….

Thank you tons Terri!!!

To learn more about the book, go here ..

Author

Throwback Post: D iz for Different With Watermelon in Grand Isle

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July 18 2012:

Love this!! Another book picture sighting in Grand Isle, Louisiana …

Debbie Burton says she took some more time to herself and shared a whole piece of Louisiana watermelon with the book!! Man, I sure do miss that watermelon … brings back such warm, fun memories of my childhood … outside all day, going, going, going, going and ALWAYS barefoot …. eating watermelon and spittin the seeds out as you go!

To learn more about the book, go here …

Author

Throwback Post: D iz for Different Book Trailer – Nearly 500 Views

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July 24 2012:

Big shout out to everyone who has watched and shared the “D iz for Different” Book Trailer … it’s nearly at 500 views!! YAY!!! Grateful times a million!

Here’s a picture of my helper, Lillian, getting books ready to mail … and here’s a link to the trailer … it’s just a little over a minute long …

Throwback Post: C is for Courage

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August 11 2015:

I was moved to share this just now …

C is for Courage

“Having courage does not mean that we are unafraid. Having courage and showing courage means that we face our fears. We are able to say, “I have fallen, but I will get up!” – Maya Angelou … My addition to this: I have fallen, and it is okay. I choose not to be unkind to myself because I have fallen. I will use this to learn. ” The journey to acceptance takes courage; courage to face one’s fears; courage to make decisions that others frown upon or downright disagree with; and courage to do things differently. …. I have learned that courage is the golden, secret path to clarity …. ” excerpt from “D iz for Different – One Woman’s Journey to Acceptance” …

May you feel the joy of the sun or peace of a tree today and know that all is well …..

If you’d like your own autographed copy of “D iz for Different” go here ….

Author

(This is one of Lillian’s drawings from 2012).

Throwback Post: Tips for the Journey – D iz for Different – One Woman’s Journey to Acceptance

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August 22 2012:

Thanks Momma for the review on Amazon … Yep, I’ve always been smiling …. from the beginning!!

“”D IZ FOR DIFFERENT” is a very inspiring and educational book. It will give you tips for your journey as you go through life raising your special needs child/children and will give you excellent resources for help and support from different organizations. What a very special person to share her family life to help others through a very difficult time. Thank you for writing this book!”

Me and Momma 9 months old

To learn more about D iz for Different – One Woman’s Journey to Acceptance, go here …

Author

Poetry Reading by Camilla With Quenching the Heart’s Thirst

April 6 2021

This has been great. Wrapping up soon. A poetry reading with others in the UK, Canada, and me in Reno. ❤️🎉❤️

April 24 2021

And then I received an email this morning with this message (referencing my 1st book, D iz for Different – One Woman’s Journey to Acceptance) …

“Your decision to share your experiences and insights is truly a gift to the world. I have been having a synchronistic experience with your book. Sometimes, when I read it, I will move the bookmark to another spot in the book and then fail to replace it after I finish reading. The next time I go to read, the bookmark may be in a spot I have read before, but the words will be perfect for what is going on at that moment in time.” – Lisa

Lisa’s message landed on a thirsty heart. I’m thankful to those who quench the heart’s thirst just when it is needed most.

I don’t talk about this book much, as it’s about to receive a new cover, at which point I’ll re-launch with the new cover. Hopefully, in the next 1 – 3 months. (A very tired me, and a happy Lillian at a November 2019 book signing.)

To learn more about Words of Alchemy and D iz for Different, go here …

Author

Throwback Post: Wrote and Published a Book in Under a Year

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September 20 2012:

… and she said to herself, “You wrote a book … you wrote and published a book …. you wrote and published a book in under ONE year … you wrote and published a book in under ONE year and have sold about 300 copies of that book ….” this is what she said to herself …. Note to self …. Smiles and Hugs to any friends who need or want them …

March 2021 Update – I’ve not published FOUR books! This one, the first one, is about to get a new cover. YaY!