Dear Mom,
Raising a child with Down Syndrome, we want to know you. Because, we are you. We invite you Dear Mom, to embark on this journey with us. To pave new paths for seeking hope, finding your voice, and leaving your fears behind.
With Love,
Founders - Amy & Mercedes
Dear Mom, Conference | LAGUNA BEACH
MARCH 9, 2019
Saturday | 9:00AM-6:00PM
The Festival of Arts | Laguna Beach, CA
Spring 2019 Dear Mom, Conference is here!
Read more about the Spring conference at the button below or scroll down the page.
SPEAKERS | Laguna Beach 2019
KELLE HAMPTON
New York Times Best Selling Author of “Bloom: Finding Beauty in the Unexpected.”
Liz Plachta
Co-Founder & Executive Director - Ruby’s Rainbow
Shauna Amick
Director of Radio Ministries - Joni and Friends International Disability Center
Sandi Ames
Child Advocate | Parent Mentor & Director - Parents CAN
GUEST PANEL | LAGUNA BEACH 2019
AMANDA BOOTH
Amanda Booth is an actress, model, and mama based in Los Angeles. She has appeared on network television shows such as Hot In Cleveland, Maron, and Community. Her campaign work includes advertisements for Lancome, Fiat, Hersheys, Target, and Old Navy. Her focus has broadened since becoming a mother in 2014 to a son with Down Syndrome. Amanda is now an ambassador for Changing The Face Of Beauty and Global Down Syndrome Foundation as well as a social media advocate.
MICHELLE SULLIVAN
Michelle Sullivan is the owner of Littlest Warrior Apparel and host of the Advocate Like a Mother™️ Podcast. She is married to Eric and they have 3 teenage daughters named Daphne, Gretta, and Roxanne. Nine years after their youngest daughter was born, Eli, who has Down syndrome, came along and opened Michelle’s eyes to the world of advocacy.
JAMIE LEE
Jamie Lee Forever teacher and paralegal, speaker and advocate: Creating spaces for informed perspectives by sharing her journey within the world of disability as a parent, woman of color, educator and ministry leader. She sits on the board of a non-profit, Club 21 Learning and Resource Center. She is the founder of ACCESS, a church ministry that aims to provide inclusive opportunities in the faith community. Lastly and most importantly, she celebrates her best life with her husband Andrew, children, Shane (5) with Down syndrome, Shiloh (3), and dog, Tucker the Terror.
JEN JONES
Jen Jones is an author, speaker and entrepreneur who communicates specifically on topics of faith, family, health and leadership. She is a gifted speaker, boldly communicating the Truth with grace, adding joy, increasing faith and building hope in others.
She is a wife to Marcus, a mom to Addie, Tatum, Brody and Piper. She is a certified health coach and currently serves alongside her husband at Center Church, a faith community they pioneered in downtown San Diego in 2014.
HEATHER AVIS | PANEL HOST
Heather Avis is wife to her handsome and hardworking man Josh, and mother to the adorable Macyn, Truly and August and Author of "The Lucky Few" (available everywhere books are sold). After working as an Education Specialist she found herself as a full-time stay at home mom when she and her husband adopted their first daughter, Macyn, in 2008. Shortly thereafter, in 2011, they adopted their second daughter, Truly. And in 2013, their son August was born and came home to be theirs.
Join us in Laguna Beach, CA
Hosted at THE FESTIVAL OF ARTS
Why Dear Mom,
As mother's raising children with Down Syndrome, we've discovered through community and vulnerability that we can thrive if we work together. We are all accustomed to the endless late night google searches, specialists appointments, and therapies. Thankfully, beyond those resources, we've found this wonderful secret that gives us strength when we share our stories and experiences, one mother to the next.
Hosted by moms just like you, Mercedes Lara and Amy Amaradio, are excited to meet you, offer some space, and insight in hopes to create a bright and beautiful future for our children with Down Syndrome.
Dear Mom, UTAH 2018
Watch our recap from our fall conference in Orem, UTah.
THE EXPERIENCE
What happens at Dear Mom, Conference?
Check out “The Experience” page to see more photos, testimonies, and audio from our past speakers!
Dear Mom, Letters
Many of our brave and courageous mothers have a special message just for you.
Featured
WE NEED YOU!
Financially Support Dear mom,
Dear Mom, is a 501(c)3 Non-Profit organization committed to providing spaces, events, and resources for inspiration, rest, and community development for families and friends raising a person with Down Syndrome.
In addition to the annual conferences, we offer opportunities for moms and families to gather in hopes to link arms with each other on this challenging, but rewarding, journey we all share. This ongoing effort requires the support from our sponsors and conference ticket sales, but YOU (Yes mom, you and your family) can play a part by offering a one-time donation or by giving automatically each month.
We are so thankful for the amazing community support we have been given along the way. Now, you can truly play a tangible role in helping us to continue our effort by financially partnering with us today. We hope you would consider this incredible opportunity.
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Dear Mom, the day my little miracle baby was born the neonatologist in his most pathetic sad voice broke the news to us that they suspected our little girl had Down Syndrome. I asked him, “does she have 10 fingers and toes? Is she breathing?” When his response was yes, I told him “well then give her to me so I can see her”.