the way he was really hoping her “no” meant she didn’t want him to go…and the way he was right 🥹 any parent or caregiver knows that it can be a SPORT to try and leave your child’s room at bedtime, and for my brother to be the chosen recipient of the “don’t go bait” bedtime routine felt like a rite of passage he had earned. typically my brother isn’t the one who is asked to stay longer. all too often, people tend to sigh in relief when he leaves. or choose not to invite or include him in the first place. this isn’t a judgment necessarily, as my brother can present behaviors that can make some situations more challenging or tiresome for the others involved. so when he IS chosen, he notices. and despite his less than eager efforts to try and say goodnight to his niece, she wasn’t having it. and you can see how much that meant to him. 🥲 #downsyndrome #nothingdownaboutit #wholesome #theluckyfew #purelove #youmatter #mybrother #bestuncle #unclelove #parenting #caregiving #sweetmoments #emotional #chosen #fyp #lifeisbetterwithyou #t21 #inclusion #raisingkids #downsyndromelove #upsyndrome

rare and beautiful, indeed. 💔#downsyndrome #lifeisbetterwithyou #dontscreenusout #trisomy21 #siblings #chooselife #controversial #downsyndromeawareness

“but it’s not worth the risk.” 🥸 we are so quick to project all the “but he mights” and “what if’s” onto my brother’s ability to care for his niece. as if the prerequisite for being an uncle is simply to be an uncle without a disability. having down syndrome makes people immediately question matt’s ability, motives, attentiveness…nearly everything about him. but interestingly, nobody has ever given a second thought to the same qualities in my kids’ other aunts and uncles. people caution me with their unsolicitied concerns for my children growing up with their involved uncle, ignoring the very evidence that proves him to be an extraordinary caregiver. their prejudices blinds them to the most beautiful, unconditional love. nobody warned me about all these “risks,” but in hindsight, it sure would have been helpful to prepare my heart for all the joy that was to come. #downsyndrome #unclelove #mybrother #nothingdownaboutit #wholesome #wholesometiktok #purelove #heartwarming #lifeisbetterwithyou #emotional #fyp #disability

meet my brother: a walking green flag #downsyndrome #mybrother #theluckyfew #wholesome #greenflags #greenflag #noredflags #siblings #lifeisbetterwithyou

he makes life feel like a dream ❤️ #husband #mylove #redroses #datenight #mybestie #fy #relationship #couple #lifeisbetterwithyou

for anyone who has wondered if my kids feel the same way about their uncle Matt as he does about them… almost without fail, whenever the kids are talking to their grandparents on the phone, they will ask, “where’s uncle Matt?” make that reason number 11. it’s clear my kids adore their uncle. and of course, you already know how he feels about the two of them. I’m so eager to see how my brother responds when we welcome our adopted son, Lord willing, later this year. he’s the favorite person across the board, and I don’t see that changing any time soon 🤍 #downsyndrome #theluckyfew #wholesome #nothingdownaboutit #purelove #sweetmoments #unclelove #bestuncle #mybrother #favoriteperson #myfavorite #downsyndromeawareness #downsyndromelove #caregiving #caregiver #disability #inclusion #lifeisbetterwithyou #t21 #trisomia21 #upsyndrome #heartwarming #parenting #seethegood #uplifting #positive #homiewithanextrachromie

I didn’t judge her fear, but i was saddened by it. I’m just so glad my brother exists 💙💛 #worlddownsyndromeday #downsyndromelove #trisomy21 #downsyndrome #mybrother #bestbrother #bestuncle #lifeisbetterwithyou #fyp #wholesome #thankful

to the ones who think people with down syndrome “don’t contribute to the world,” here are 8 contributions my brother has brought to just ONE person. 🤍 #downsyndrome #nothingdownaboutit #lifeisbetterwithyou #oneofthegoodones #betterman #wholesome #gratitude #caregiving #uncle #raisingkids #fyp #bestuncle #sweetmoments #theluckyfew #parenting

“but what about the SiBLiNgs?” i can just heeeear the comments now.. 🫢 #disability #siblings #abortion #suffering #downsyndrome #lifeisbetterwithyou #ableism #prolife #siblinglove #joy

who you are > what you can do our worth cannot be quantified by a number of accomplishments or a number of failures. not by our age or our income. my brother is a sibling, a friend, a son, a grandson, an athlete, an influencer, a learner, an uncle, and so much more. he is these things, regardless of what he can do within these roles. no matter his productivity, he is important because he is someone. and how special that he gets to be someone to his niece and nephew in ways that nobody else can. my brother entered the huge role of “uncle Matt” as a teenager, and from the very first day (seen in the very first clip) in his new role, he has BEEN so much more than just an uncle — a protector, a caregiver, a comforter, a comedian, and a friend. no list of “things he’s done” would ever come close to all the things he’s been. 🤍 #downsyndrome #nothingdownaboutit #wholesome #bestuncle #caregiving #parenting #youmatter #lifeisbetterwithyou #wholesometiktok #growingup #raisingkids

Life is better with you #fyp #trending #sweatshirt #crewnecksweatshirt #gf #bf #couple #giftforcouples #valentine #valentinesday #valentinegift #lifeisbetterwithyou

My person🤍 #myperson #inspire #inspired #inspiredawesomelife #inspiredby #inspiregreatness #inspireothers #betterwithyou #betterwithyouinit #lifeisbetterwithyou #lifeisbetterwiththem #happy #happyathome #happydance #country #countryboy #countrygirl #countrylife #countryhumans #countryliving #countrytiktok #countryside #countryballs #countryswing #countryswingdance #countryswingdancing #countryswinglifts #countryswingmoves #countryswingdancer #linedance #linedancer #linedancersoftiktok #linedancelessons #linedancetutorial #linedancelife

Its better to be alone and not settle than to be with someone that doesn’t deserve you. My husband and i get mad and frustrated with each other but when push comes to shove there’s isn’t anything we wouldn’t do for each other. Its been rough these last few days but he has answered every call, every text and made sure im good. Men can do house chores like anyone else but i do appreciate him helping me with them. And it isnt just now he has always helped. He has come so far from where he used to emotionally. He says he isnt good at consoling people but some how even when he says nothing and is just physically present with me its what i need. I have kissed alot of frogs in the process of finding the right one but now that ive found him life is alot better. #Husband #Wife #MarriageGoals #LifeIsBetterWithYou #DontSettle #GetWhatYouDeserve #StopKissingFrogs #YouDeserveMore #Grief #DeathIsHard #Grieving #Dorse #OneOfAKind #RestInPeace #UntilWeMeetAgain #YouWillBeMissed #FYP #FORYOUPAGE #FORYOU #VIRALHUSBAND #VIRAL

Such a cute Christmas idea for that someone! #lifeisbetterwithyou #couples #forher #forhim #couplesgifts #embroidered #cutesweatshirts

#lifewithDs #downsyndromelove #nothingdownaboutit #t21 #trisomy21 #trisomy21 #dsawareness #dsawareness #downsyndromeawareness #upsideofdownsyndrome #changingthefaceofbeauty #downsyndromeadvocate #lifeisbetterwithyou #specialneedsparenting #littlestwarrior #theluckyfew #downrightperfect #shouttheirworth #tiktokshop #tiktokcreatormarketplace

Teaching Kenzie to skip is not an easy task!!! This girl doesn’t slow down enough and stop running to focus on one foot at a time. Plus skipping is such a tough task!!! #nothingdownaboutit #downsyndromelove #lifeisgood #shesablessing #downsyndromeadvocate #adoption #adoptionrocks #orphansbelonginfamilies #orphannomore #theluckyfew #reecesrainbow #babysister #worthy #heartwarrior #tubie #shecantbestopped #inclusionmatters #inclusionrevolution #lifeisgood #specialneedsmom #downsyndromeadvocate #inclusion #lifeisbetterwithyou #t21awareness #rockthe21 #rockin #rockinit #dsdn #dsrocks #downsyndromeawareness #advocatelikeamother

🌊 #lifeisbetterwithyou #vitaminsea

Be kind …. Hoodie !! Remind those people all around that they matter !! #bekind #youmatter #lifeisbetterwithyou #thirddaytees #hoodieszn #hoodieseason

#lifewithDs #downsyndromelove #nothingdownaboutit #t21 #trisomy21 #dsawareness #downsyndromeawareness #upsideofdownsyndrome #t21love #changingthefaceofbeauty #shouttheirworth #downsyndromeadvocate #shecantbestopped #lifeisbetterwithyou #downrightperfect #theluckyfew #littlestwarrior #downsyndromerocks #specialneeds #specialneedsparenting

Hapoy Black Friday!! We have 30% off … have fun shopping ❤️ #d#downsyndromeadvocatea#adoptiona#orphansbelonginfamilies t#theluckyfewr#reecesrainbowb#babysisterw#worthyh#heartwarriort#tubies#shecantbestopped#advocatelikeamother #littlestwarrior #mombizowner #specialneedsmom #iepadvocate #downsyndromeadvocacy #tiktokcreatormarketplace #tiktokshop #t#t21#d#downsyndrome#u#upsyndromet#theluckyfewm#morealikethandifferentc#changingthefaceofbeauty#l#lifeisbetterwithyoun#nothingdownaboutitt#t21awarenessr#rockthe21r#rockinr#rockinitd#dsdnd#dsrocksd#downsyndromeawarenesst#teamdsd#downsyndromelovee#extrachromosomes#specialneedsdownsyndromerocks #advocacy #inclusionmatters

Your littlest warriors teacher deserves this amazing shirt as a holiday gift! Check it out! #spedteacher #spedteachersoftiktok #advocatelikeamother #advocatelikeateacher #teachersoftiktok #teachersrock #teachersbelike #teacherlife #littestwarrior #specialneedsparenting #shouttheirworth #disabilityawareness #spreadlove #spreadkindness #acceptance #inclusion #lifeisbetterwithyou

Anywhere with You❤️ #greece #mykonos #mykonosgreece #mykonostown #travel #happygirlsaretheprettiest #couplesgoals #lifeisbetterwithyou #greek

What a great 2023!!! #lifewithDs #downsyndromelove #nothingdownaboutit #t21 #trisomy21 #dsawareness #downsyndromeawareness #upsideofdownsyndrome #changingthefaceofbeauty #downsyndromeadvocate #lifeisbetterwithyou #specialneedsparenting #littlestwarrior #theluckyfew #specialneedsparenting #downrightperfect #tiktokshop #shouttheirworth #downsyndromerocks #aacwarrior #advocatelikeamother

Visita Iglesia 2024♡ #lifeisbetterwithyou #forevergratefulandblessed #countyourblessings #holyweek2024 #thankyoulord #enjoylife

Thank you for everything Lord.😇 ♡ Visita Iglesia 2024♡ #thankyoulord #fyp #bless #holyweek2024 #countyourblessings #forevergratefulandblessed #lifeisbetterwithyou #visitaiglesia2024

We all somwhow two face people . Some of us realizes and many of you not yet identify ☹️💙#life #lifeisbetterwithyou