Inclusion: Clifford & LeAnn Green
Clifford Greene traditional name Xutz’sal was born and raised in the Lummi community he was born with down syndrome. In his first breaths of life he spent three months at Seattle Children’s where the doctors watched over him and took care of his needs his mother learning alot about what it meant to have a child with down syndrome and what is the best support for him with his mother LeAnn Greene traditional name Ta’a and family by his side he's been able to explore and do many things through out his life especially when he started to participate in his culture you just see a light that brightens up in him he was curious about it he's had many drums gifted to him but two very early on his auntie and uncle bringing him to winter powwow's he would sit there and listen to the song and dances and learn what his ancestors did a song and dance is so important since then he lives and breathes dancing and singing they say put your self out there and find your place in the community and that what Clifford did he found his place its such an honor to be able to watch Clifford to do this he enjoys it so much and brings him so much joy and closer to his people if you were to ask what Clifford favorite thing to do it would be singing and dancing. Seeing him in the community he has grown so much he is a very kindhearted person will give you the shirt off his back never goes by anyone with out saying hi how is your day as his mother would say im known as Cliffords mom because he knows so many of us he has his place here in our community and he contiunes to florish and grow hes a great leader and inspires so many. He has so much support from the community.
Clifford uses song and dance to explore new songs by sharing your thoughts and feelings he says it feels good to do that its really humbling and makes you happy.
Denise Solomon explains about hoe Clifford has that extra pixie dust that they put upon the people that lifts the people up so much when the Blackhawks interacts with special needs students they are receiving what the other are receiving as well in terms of culture, songs and dance. all the participation is apart of that they are apart of it.
Singing brings a since of peace when they feel that and hear that they say this is my heartbeat and this is what i can feel. We need to recognize that differently able children have their own gifts and talents that they can share with the community.
His paddle vest is made specially for him they designed it for him because the trisomy twenty one is the triple cation of the twenty first chromo zone his paddle vest had three rows of twenty one paddles on his vest they wanted it to be special and represent him while he is out on the floor dancing or singing.