Jane Ball is the TriangleMom2Mom mom of the week. She's involved with the Triangle Down Syndrome Network, which will be holding its 11th annual Buddy Walk on Oct. 11 at Brier Creek. There's still time to get involved. Click here for more information.

Here's Jane ...

Mom2Mom: Tell us about yourself.

Jane: I'm an active member of the Triangle Down Syndrome Network. My first experience with the network was the 2004 Buddy Walk, held the month before my first child, Caroline, was born.  My husband was out of town, my sister was running late meeting me there, and the walk started.  It was like my feet were set in concrete.  I couldn't move.  There were tons of kids with Down syndrome all around me jumping, laughing, playing, and headed to the trail to start the walk.  After reminding myself that they were the ones with DS, I was only pregnant, I took a deep breath, told my feet to move, and off I went.  I still remember the families that I made contact with that day, and the impressions they made.  We talked about what they had been through, surgeries they had conquered, Dr's we had in common.  Not realizing at the time, these people would continue to be a part of my life after the Buddy Walk was over.  I left that day making friends for life, knowing I wasn't alone, breathing easier and becoming excited again about having this baby.  I joined the Buddy Walk committee the following year after Caroline's birth, and was later nominated and voted onto the Board of Directors for TDSN.

We knew Caroline's diagnosis prior to her arrival only because my doctor discovered a heart defect through ultrasound that would later require surgery at the age of three months.  During this visit, they gave my husband and me the odds of having a child with DS a 30 percent chance.  We did the amnio that day and received the results the next.  After what I considered at the time to be the worst time of my life, only to reflect years later, and decide that my experience has changed me for the better.  

I know that I'm a much stronger, much better advocate for all individuals with disabilities; I know that life isn't about the number of people you know, it's about the number of lives you've touched; and I know that the dishes will be there in the morning, when my children want me to play with them, instead of clean up after dinner; and I remind myself everyday how blessed I truly am to have Caroline in my life.  She helps me keep everything in perspective.

In 2008, my husband, Douglas and I co-founded the Caroline Ball Foundation. We support research in the field of Down Syndrome currently funding the grant to expose the link between DS and early onset of Alzheimer's disease. Annually we host a 5/10k race in Garner to raise money toward this research, to date funding $23,000 to Duke University.  Another major objective, and collaborative project with TDSN, is to raise funds to build a living facility for adults with DS.  We hope not only to provide housing, but an enrichment center from classrooms all the way to employment.  The number of
adults with DS, not currently working, yet wanting to and very much capable of providing some type of service is staggering.  People tend to fear the unknown, my plan is to make DS "KNOWN".

Mom2Mom: What's your favorite family place?

Jane: My favorite family place in the Triangle is Marbles Museum.

Mom2Mom: What's your favorite place for yourserlf?

Jane: Favorite for myself is Skin Sense Day Spa

Mom2Mom: What's your favorite ritual with your kids.

Jane: The best ritual we've adopted at our house is the "B cubed" theory.  Bath time, book time, bed time.  They are so happy and fun you almost don't want to put them to bed.

Mom2Mom: What did you eat for dinner last night? Can you share the recipe?

Jane: We had pork chops, fried okra (fresh from the garden), sliced tomatoes, and hominy for dinner last night.  The kids at least tried everything, but weren't fond of the hominy.  One of my favorite dishes is a baked mediterranean fish.  You can use any type of flaky white fish, season with a little salt and pepper and basically add fresh diced tomatoes, olives, parsley, and feta cheese, bake for roughly 15 minutes in a 400 degree oven. Serve it with a side of rice pilaf and salad.  Can't beat it!

Mom2Mom: What's your guilty pleasure?

Jane: My guilty pleasure is chocolate paired with a nice cabernet!  Have you tried the Great Wall of Chocolate at PF Chang's?  Big enough for two, love that stuff!

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