THE LUCKY FEW TATTOO NECKLACE

It all started when…

Since Jackson was born, I would have a recurring dream that I went and got a tattoo and it was always the very same design - three simple arrows with thin clean black lines on my arm. I would wake up and think, hmmmm if I ever get a tattoo, I think it HAS to be this design, since I keep dreaming about it!

When I went to a retreat called “The Lucky Mamas” which was a retreat started by Heather Avis and Liz Plachta to help serve mamas that have kids with Down syndrome. It was a weekend getaway to pour into mamas who desperately need respite and have a safe place to have vulnerable conversations about our kids. After talking one evening about how important our village is, Heather Avis declared that we should all get matching tattoo! Our love for our kids and the Down syndrome community is so fierce and thought it could be a little way to bond us all together. You could feel the excitement in the air as we truly started talking about getting matching tattoos . . ..

I suddenly remembered my dream and started explaining that since I’m a designer, I had high hopes of creating my first tattoo to be something super special and meaningful and began describing the dream I had about the arrows. 

Heather and the rest of mamas teared up, got goosebumps and started talking about how powerful the symbol of the 3 arrows could mean for our community and we all knew at that moment that the arrows were IT! I grabbed a Sharpie and started sketching the design on everyone, we called a tattoo parlor and by the end of the weekend, several of us had been inked and made the little idea and DREAM come to life!! 

We posted a few pictures and encouraged anyone else from the retreat to also get the tattoo - but what we didn’t expect was a mega outpouring from the global Down syndrome community to catch wind of what we did. Within a few months, thousands of people had gotten the exact same tattoo, joining the movement to represent a loved one with Down syndrome. 

Never in a million years would I have imagined that a literal DREAM that woke up for several years would turn into an icon and symbol for Down syndrome that is so universally recognized. What a GIFT. I’m so very honored to share the powerful message that our kids with Down syndrome make us so very strong by stretching us beyond measure and they will shoot and soar through the world, proclaiming their worth right alongside of us, all equally shouting “you are worthy” exactly as you are.

It only made perfect sense that when more people wanted the tattoo that we name it “The Lucky Few Tattoo” after Heather Avis so brilliantly and lovingly coined the phrase “The Lucky Few” after naturally talking about her love for her own kids and her first published book! She is a fierce advocate for people of all abilities and has inspired our community so much. I’m so grateful for Heather and this entire village of advocating parents (and friends and family!) that go ALL IN on shouting the worth of our kids and everyone with Down syndrome

When I found out that there was a Barbie with Down syndrome coming out with a hot pink necklace with MY DESIGN OMG WHA?!!!!! I knew I had to make a matching necklace for myself, my kids and anyone else who might want to have a whimsical necklace with this now famous “Lucky Few Tattoo” design on it!!

I whipped out my 3D printer and some sensory beads and created this necklace and I just absolutely love how it turned out. They are whimsical and perfect for the fashionista looking to shout the worth and celebrate people with Down syndrome!

I am so honored that a dream sparked such an impactful design that has served our community and has become an icon and symbol for this beloved community. More importantly, I’m so grateful that we are seeing our kids being represented by major companies that are excited to represent people with all physical and intellectual abilities.