My daughter, Shayleah Rene', is the light of my world, the apple of my eye.  I can't imagine my life without her.

My name is Trixie Rose Aggeton.  I live in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, with my husband, Raymond, and our daughters Winter Storm (eight) and our youngest, six-year-old Shayleah, who has some special needs.  (The older daughter is healthy, thank the Lord!)

Shayleah was born with Down syndrome, meaning she is mentally disabled, plus she has some accompanying characteristics of the syndrome (small bridge of nose, uptilted eyes, thicker than normal tongue and neck, round, moon-shaped face, heart murmurs, etc.).  She has been in and out of the hospital:  besides her heart issues, she also has allergies and asthma.

Despite her medical problems, Shayleah is a very happy, resourceful little girl.  One of her very favorite things to do is sing; her favorite singer is LeAnn Rimes, and she loves singing her song, "Blue".  She wants to be a country singer when she grows up.

Besides singing, Shayleah loves to draw, color, watch tv (her favorite show is "Caillou"), play with her sister, and go swimming.  She also loves therapy; to her it's more opportunity to play; it's not work.  Shayleah loves her therapists; they are among her best friends.

If people could overlook her slowness or her medical problems, they'd see a very happy, talented little girl who doesn't let life stop her.  She will do anything she sets her mind to; determination is her middle name!

It isn't easy parenting two active little girls (especially since one of them has special needs), but I think we do an okay job.  We give both Shayleah and Winter lots of love and attention, and we are trying to be the best parents we possibly can be to them.  We love our daughters very much, and we feel truly blessed in having them in our lives.