Our family lives in Mesa, Arizona which is actually a massive suburb of Phoenix. The greater Phoenix metro area is a very interesting place not only because of the vastness of space it consumes and its incredibly large population but also because within this sea of people, it is still very difficult (for us) to feel that we are a part of a community.
I have always longed for the small town life where everyone knows who I am and more importantly everyone knows and loves my son Teddy. It just seems like it would be simpler and safer. So, in my attempt to build out a community here at DownSyndrome.com, I was introduced to CJ and her T21 Traveling Afghan Project.
The T21 TAP is a community wrapped in a blog wrapped in a blanket. CJ has built the sense of intimacy and familiarity in her community that just makes you want to get that little afghan in your hands as quickly as possible and never let it go 
The project is genius because it combines a very personal item like an afghan with the very personal experience of loving a family member or a friend with down syndrome. Bringing these items and feelings together creates that sense of community that I think we’re all longing for.
I am continually impressed by the creativity of the people in our society not only to bring us closer but also to make us more comfortable in our own skin (or blanket in this case) …
“There is a very special blanket making it’s way from one family to another all over the world.
The common tie? Down syndrome.
Each family who receives the afghan for one week has a member with T21.
They get the blanket, take photos with their family and pass the blanket (and an accompanying journal) on to the next recipient.
One blanket. Fifty US states. Many countries. Hundreds of families. One common thread!”
CJ has posted some fantastic photos of the Afghan’s travels and those families who have been lucky enough to have had the it in their “grasp”.
See the wonderful photos below but more importantly, visit CJ’s great site and check out all the wonderful kiddos that have embraced the blankey.
Thank you CJ for allowing us to be a part of your wonderful community!
Laura Suer
Check out the google map of where the traveling afghan has been and where it is going:
http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?hl=de&ie=UTF8&msa=0&msid=107262760150343642409.000463e8a94bed98e64ff&ll=43.173135%2C-90.439453&spn=5.54419%2C11.096191&t=p&z=7
Our family has signed up to have a visit from the traveling afghan. It’s really easy and it is a fun way to connect to other families touched by DS.
Benjamin
hi CJ,
congrats to this article! can’t wait to get the afghan into my own very hands… and mom and dad want to read the journal.
and: greets to mesa! dad lived there from 1990 to 1991 (well, phoenix, not mesa – but it’s all so close, right!?!?
ben