Hello and welcome to The Jenkins Joys.  My name is Aimee Jenkins and my intent with this blog is to share our life with all of you in hopes to raise Down Syndrome Awareness and to encourage families embarking on the special needs journey.

I am a Project Manager by trade, wife to Jeff Jenkins, mom to Tori and Fallon and stepmom to Morgan.  Our five year old daughter, Victoria Grace Jenkins, “Tori”, has Down syndrome, “trisomy 21”.  The term trisomy is used to describe the presence of three chromosomes, rather than the usual matched pair of chromosomes.  She has truly been a wonderful blessing to our lives.  People have often used some form of the word “Joy” when referring to Tori.  Phrases like…

“Tori brings so much joy.”

“Tori is so joyful.”

“Tori is a joy to watch.”

….hence, we are “The Jenkins Joys”.

Of course, being a parent of a child with special needs has its unique challenges, I certainly do not intend to sugar coat it and I know I still have much to learn but each time I hear about or meet a parent who has received a special needs diagnosis for their child my heart goes out to them because I know that it is highly likely they are experiencing all of the same emotions I did.  I find myself just itching to sit down with them and share all the many wonderful things about Tori in hopes they will feel encouraged and comforted knowing that they will be okay and that it can actually be the most joyful journey.  The key is to set your mind on all of the good.

Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. Philippians 4:8 (KJV)

We hope you enjoy our blog!

Aimee