What Max Means To Us

October is Down Syndrome Awareness Month.   We thought this would be a perfect opportunity for each of us to share what Max means to us and how he has totally changed the world as we know it!

Leigh

Max is many things, he is a son, a brother, a friend.  One thing I never expected him to be was my teacher.  But that is exactly what this little man has been in my life!   He has taught me that family is the most important thing in this world.  The joy on his face when his “whole family” is home totally melts my heart.  He has taught me that with patience and perseverance any obstacle can be conquered.  The most important lesson he has taught me is how to love.  Max loves in a no questions asked, no judgments passed, in a one hundred percent unconditional way!  I am beyond grateful to have the One-in-a- million-Max in my life!

Kelsey

Words really can not describe the way I feel for my brother Max. It’s difficult living so far away from him. He has a smile that melts my heart. Whenever I am down I call him to cheer me up. I’m very excited to see what an awesome uncle he will make! (That’s right world, there is a baby Shields due to arrive in March!!!)

Grace

My Max. What to say… any attempt to explain what that boy has brought into my life will fall short. Max is truly the best, most unexpected and most undeserved gift that God has given me… He is also the most needed of all the gifts that have been placed in my life. Max has taught me so much about love: about how to give it, and also how to receive it. Max gives everything that he has to the people around him… he uses his entire capability…when he can’t do something, he joyfully allows us to help him. Max has shown me how to give my all, to accept my own limits and find joy in knowing there are people in my life who will help me when I can’t get by on my own. Also… DANCING. Dancing will always bring laughter. 🙂

Mary

I honestly can’t even imagine what my life would be like without Max. He is the glue that holds our family together… a very, VERY strong glue. I also think he has a sixth sense. He can pick up on what kind of mood I’m in, whether I’m happy, sad… well you get it. He knows how to cheer me up and make me laugh, he also knows when to just give me a hug. I can’t think of a time when I was upset about something and Max couldn’t make me feel better. He’s so smart, witty and goofy. I love my Maxxy, and I’m lucky to have a job close to home and that I get to be around him so much more than my other siblings 😉

Ben

Max is my only brother, and he means the world to me.  I don’t know what I would do without him.  Seeing him just being who he is everyday, has taught me to find true joy in life and not worry about things I can’t control. I love the kid!

Therese

Max is my best friend. He is always there for me and always ready to make me laugh. I love him with my whole heart and always will!

God is that you?

There are certain things that Max will do or say that make you wonder if he has a sixth sense or divine connection, that makes him more attuned to peoples needs, even when they are miles away.

Last week I got a phone call from Kelsey who wanted to share one such instance. She has been having a tough time at work recently and the stress had really started to get to her. She woke up one morning very anxious about everything the day held when her phone started to ring. When she saw that it was our Dad’s number and because of the early hour she feared it was bad news.

Instead it was Max and he had a special message just for her. ” Hi Kelsey I just wanted to tell you that God loves you and will protect you. He won’t let the devil hurt you.”

Kelsey was overwhelmed “Did Dad tell you to call me and say that?”

“Nope! God did!

She still was not convinced that he hadn’t been coached to call her. But Dad, who had been searching the house high and low for his cellphone, assured her that Max had taken his phone and had acted entirely on his own.

Greatful and inspired by Max’s words, Kelsey was able to tackle the challenges of the day.

Max pinning on Kelsey’s Lieutenant Bars