My favorite Facebook post over the past several years comes from Jessica Tedrow Carpenter, a former student and now friend. Residing in Wind Ridge with her husband Justin, also a former student, and son Mason, Jessica’s post illustrates how to love and hope no matter what life throws at you.
“It’s October 1, and y’all know what that means. You all know our story by now, but I’m still going to share it every October 1! Nineteen years ago, we were blessed with a beautiful baby boy. Little did we know at that time how much he would change our lives.
When I was expecting with both of my kids, I opted out of all the testing for this and that because it wouldn’t have made a difference in what the results were anyway. After Mason was born, they took him immediately out of the room and straight to the nursery and into an incubator, where they hooked him up to oxygen.
We were not allowed to hold him for the first 48 hours of his life. The morning after he was born, the doctor came into my room and blurted out, like it was something he said everyday…”We think your son has Down Syndrome.” Then he left.
So there I am, hormones all over the place, not able to hold my baby, alone because I sent Justin home to get some sleep and the doctor just walks out. I call Justin and try to tell him, but he can’t understand a word I’m saying because I am hysterical.
He is finally able to understand me, and he says, ‘so calm down and relax. So what? He’s still our boy!’ Justin made it to Washington Hospital in record time that morning to calm me down. Finally, on the morning Mason was going to be discharged, I got to hold my baby boy, and I knew that whatever the doctors told me and whatever the test results were, it didn’t matter. He was still my perfect boy!”
Born a few days shy of the 23rd anniversary of President Reagan’s signing a proclamation making October Down Syndrome Awareness Month, Mason was born into a world that had many resources available to him and his family. But with the real-life challenges facing Mason and his parents here in Greene County, Uncle Matt Tedrow, yet another former student, decided more local awareness and resources were needed. Thus, Hello 2 Hope was born.
In 2011, Matt, with the support of Jessica and family members, launched Hello To Hope, a support group to help area families and caretakers of Down Syndrome individuals. “The support group really wasn’t successful. We had the same two to three parents show up and that was it,” Jessica stated. “We started the Facebook page around the same time and used this as a way to reach people and for people to share stories of their loved ones with Down Syndrome that most people don’t see and/or understand.”
Followers of this page are also invited to join MASON’S MARCHERS in the Three Rivers Dash for Down Syndrome, to share pictures of mismatched socks on World Down Syndrome Day on March 21 and encouraged to attend Down Syndrome Awareness events and family outings at Idlewild, Kennywood, Wild Things games and more.
Renamed Hello 2 Hope – Southwestern PA Down Syndrome Association in 2013 after becoming a 501(c)3, Uncle Matt’s idea really took off. “We are blessed enough to be able to help those in need,” Matt said. And help, they have. Whether it is someone going through a hard time, a community event that is geared to ALL kids, or helping those with financial burdens from medical situations. Hello 2 Hope has really stepped up.
“We have raised approximately $230,000 in the last 13 years through softball tournaments at Meadowlark Park with music and games and our annual golf tournament at Carmichaels Golf Club,” Jessica stated.
These funds have been used to support the Down Syndrome Association of Pittsburgh, Life Skills classrooms at West Greene, Stepping Stones Recreation, Greene County Early Interventions, the Good Old Fashion Halloween Party, the PA State Police Troop B Sunny Day Camp, and the Special Olympics. In addition, it has helped numerous local families who are going through hard times. They have also partnered with local schools for the Spread the Word to End the Word campaign and covered all costs for the Greene County Special Needs Dance.
At the center of all this is Mason himself. “Watching him grow and become his own person has been a true blessing to everyone who knows him,” Jessica says. “Mason is funny, with a side of sarcasm, that he doesn’t show everyone. If you’re lucky enough to see that side of him, he is comfortable with you. Mason has a huge heart and a genuine love for everyone and likes to greet people with a high five and a hug.”
Mason “retired” from school last year and now spends his time being the best Uncle to his nephew Gonker and spending time with his grandparents and family. His big sister Kenzie is expecting, and Mason is anxiously waiting to give his soon-to-be niece a special name, too. “I have adored watching Mason grow from the time he was a baby,” Kenzie says. “He has taught me about love, patience and appreciating people exactly as they are. Watching his love extend to my son Kallan has made our relationship even more meaningful.”
We are grateful to the Tedrow & Carpenter families for all they have done in the West Greene Community and surrounding areas with Hello to Hope. Thank you, Uncle Matt for the great idea. Check out their Facebook page for more information.
