Donate Through Erin’s 3/21 Pledge Page Here!
I am a full-time working mom of three gorgeous girls (Jaya 10, Mila 6, and Kora 5) and one handsome eighteen-month-old-boy. While growing up in Ames, Iowa, I attended school in Gilbert, Iowa. I then attended college at a few different schools in both Iowa and Ilinois. I took the plunge into marriage at a young age and have been married to my husband Ben for 16 years. My husband’s career eventually landed us in Chicago where I got my hankering for high heels and a good martini. After four years in the city, we decided to make the trip back to Iowa and made our home in Ankeny, where we started our family.
When I’m not working, trying to start home improvement projects that are way outside the scope of my expertise, or running kids around and trying to keep them fed, I am tying my hair back and taking in a game. My love of sports and exercise and trials as mom of the year (ha, ha) keep me on my toes.
The birth of our second daughter, Mila, gave us a diagnosis we were not expecting — Down syndrome. I am a novice. Mila is only 6; there is an abundance of knowledge for me to learn during this journey she has taken us on. I am involved with Ruby’s Rainbow because I want to bring awareness to a subject I had no knowledge about on the day Mila was born. The fact I had no knowledge significantly contributed to the fear and ignorance I felt. If there is anything I can do to help others become more educated as well, I am on board! Ruby’s Rainbow has inspired our family to help others realize this organization is helping to change the future for people with Down syndrome, and that it helps inspire people with Down syndrome to go to college and to fulfill their dreams — just like anyone else who aspires to do the same.