2023 Chromosome 18 Conference in Columbus, Ohio – Part 2

July 10 2023

Quick walk this morning before helping facilitate the New Family Orientation. Gorgeous weather and grounds.

July 11 2023

Beautiful spot for coffee this morning. I feel like a bit of relaxing this morning.

July 11 2023

Ladies night was so much fun!!! Talking, laughing, and drinking with such beautiful people. I sat back at one point just scanning the room, looking at everyone deep in conversation, laughing, smiling, hugging; and I thought to myself, “This is incredibly beautiful.” ❤️❤️❤️

2023 Chromosome 18 Conference in Columbus, Ohio – Part 1

July 8 2023

Team TLC is on board, on our way to the C18 conference in Columbus, Ohio. ❤️❤️❤️ Thomas is in front of us. By the way, Reno-Tahoe Airport is a cluster fuck right now.

Beautiful Reno sunrise as we left this morning.

July 9 2023

Just back from my first walk in Columbus. Stunning grounds. And it wasn’t too hot. Bonus!! Not sure these folks have experienced a tattooed woman walk-dancing around the grounds. Now they have!

July 9 2023

Photos from today. These people are so precious and amazing.

I absolutely love the photos of the Giggling Trio – Lillian, Macy, and Lauren. They light up around each other, and it is beautiful to experience. ❤️❤️❤️

Photos taken by Rick of Positive Exposure

Throwback Post: Embrace Life With A Sense of Humor

**THROWBACK POST**

December 25 2012:

Thank you, Thank you Team Member L for the face hurting belly laughs. Just had me and Grandma Patty laughing til it hurt trying to figure out what the heck she was trying to say about her fork and oranges.

Having a sense of humor = Embracing Life!!


(Lillian – May 2012)

Throwback Post: Last Night I Got a Tattoo

**THROWBACK POST**

July 17 2013:

What I heard her say, “Last night I got a tattoo”.

What she really said, “Last night I had pineapple”.

Many of you know of Lillian’s speech impairment due to a Chromosome 18 deletion. Around here, we choose to make light of it and to lighten the mood we will repeat back what we thought we heard Lillian say.

It always brings laughter and then the serious business of figuring out what this beautiful young lady really said! Onward with the laughing y’all! I’m in a bring-on-the-laughter-mood today … My soul is asking for laughter today!!


(Lillian July 2013)

Throwback Post: Breaking News – She Did It By Herself

**THROWBACK POST**

July 27 2015:

Breaking, Fabulous, Wonderful News!! While I was in a session today, Lillian Left the Room All By Herself, Got On the Elevator, Went to the Lobby, Sat in a Chair and Waited for her Friend to Come Meet Her!!! Holy Heck!!!

If you are out and about tonight or having a night in, please share a toast, a hallelujah, and celebrate with me!!

Wahoooooo!!!!!!!!!! I’m so excited!!! Now! For ladies night! Time to celebrate with some very amazing and wonderful women!

(This was during the 2015 Chromosome 18 Conference. As you can tell, it was incredibly exciting!)


(Lillian – August 2015 – The Discovery Museum)

 

Throwback Post: Important Thing by Lillian Darnell

**THROWBACK POST**

July 30 2011:

From Lillian y’all (she just emailed this to family as we are due for another thunder/lightning storm) . . . she cracks us up!! {I know my fellow C18 Parents get how worried this makes her!! Hahahaha}

Important Thing

Watch the clouds form:
Watch for signs of a storm coming. The clouds will begin to build into tall pillars. The sky will darken and a damp feeling will make you skin feel clammy. These are warnings to stay out of boats, get away from water and head for a safe shelter. When safely inside watch the clouds billow up and form huge dark piles of cloud. Soon you will hear the rumble of thunder in the distance, but there is no need to fear when you are safe inside.

Watch the Lightning:
Stay away from windows, but open the drapes and curtains so you can see the lightning flash and enjoy the excitement and beauty of it. The Bible calls lightning God’s arrows. There are many different kinds of lightning.

There is a heat lightning—usually associated with a summer evening storm.
There is forked lightning that splits as it nears the ground.
There is spear lightning that shoots a deadly spear almost straight toward the ground.
Lillian Darnell
Fairy Princess

The 2022 Chromosome 18 Family Conference – San Antonio

July 6 2022

Got here yesterday, but I was suffering from motion sickness from the landing. Thomas and I are waiting for some lovely vegan food to be delivered. Southern vegan food. Yes! Gimme some of that! We’ll go for a river walk later. (San Antonio Riverwalk)

July 7 2022

We finally got out for a short walk.

July 7 2022

Last night and this morning. The Giggling Duo have been reunited.

July 7 2022

Lillian and I went for a walk this time.

July 8 2022

I finally got photos of this trio!!

Lillian and Macy, the original Giggling Duo.

Lauren joined the duo a few conferences back, to make it a trio. Love this trio!!

July 10 2022

More of the trio. Their friendship makes my eyes sweat with liquid love. Thanks to Amy for taking some of these.

July 10 2022

Last day of conference, and Starfish Dance.

More photos taken throughout the event …

Photos taken by Rick of Positive Exposure …


(Entire Group)


(Siblings)


(18p-)

Photos by Others …


(Parent Panel)


(Volunteer Coordinators)


(Sibling Panel)


(Sibs Night Out)

Throwback Post: I Understood That

**THROWBACK POST**

August 3 2011:

Thomas: “I’m understanding some of your words Lillian. Say information.” Lillian says information. Thomas says I understood that. Thomas says, “Say boat.” Lillian says boat. Thomas says I understood that. Lillian says, “You did?” . . . Those who know us, know what I’m talkin about! LOVE it!


(Thomas and Lillian – 2011)

Throwback Post: The 2011 Chromosome 18 Conference

**THROWBACK POST**

July 20 2011:

Indy bound!!! Chromosome 18 Conference and family here we come!!!!

I’m so darn lucky! I got to have a very mini massage this morning at the airport! Team Member L got the “beep” so we got VIP treatment and I got to be touched all over!! WooooHooooo!!

TGI Fridays for some lunch before heading to Indy!!

We’ve arrived!!!! Time for the reception!!!! Yeeehaaawwww!!

View from our room!!

All kinds of adventures today for Team Member L! Getting up early, flying from Reno to Dallas to Indy, making it to our room on the 18th Floor!!!! Fun C18 Reception . . . For Mama – chatting and hugging old friends and meeting new ones face to face after chatting on Facebook. For Lillian – meeting all new friends who feel like they know her cause of all Mama’s posting on FB! Now it’s off to dream land adventures for both us. FULL day tomorrow!

July 21 2011:

Dinner before Moms night out!!!!! YeeeeeHaaaaaawwwwww!!!

Lillian’s friend Katie!!!

**************

Moms Night Out!!!! We Rock Y’all!! Just imagine how loud it is in here!!

July 24 2011:

Dinner adventures with Lillian!!

July 25 2011:

Headed to Dallas!! Done with our Indy adventures y’all!!!!

Food plus Mojito with my favorite girl!! Fries!!

Goodbye Dallas!! Thanks for the French fry and Mojito adventures!!! Here we come Reno!! Get ready!!

Lillian and I were treated to a breathtaking Reno sunset as we flew in!!!! Wow!!!

July 30 2011:

August 3 2011:


August 7 2011:

Our Chromosome 18 Conference Adventures!! Lillian and I had a ball y’all!

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