Juni Mac’s Extra Special Heart & Chromosomes

07/18/2026

Another class has been added for Juni at the Yoga Booth. 💛

Sandy Berry Booth was one of my very first yoga teachers. She may or may not know this, but when people ask about her and she isn’t around, I often refer to her as my “yoga mom.”

Her classes have always been hard. More than a decade ago, Sandy taught me something that has stayed with me ever since: to find peace in difficulty. To keep breathing even when I’m being stretched (those freaking standing splits - if you know Sandy - you know). To learn, over and over again, that just when I think I’ve reached my limit, I often find I have a little more. And when enough truly is enough, to pause… and breathe.

Those lessons have carried me through so many seasons of life, and they are carrying me now.

I can’t begin to tell you how many kindnesses we’ve experienced since Juni came into the world. I don’t know that I’ll ever be able to adequately thank every person, every prayer, or every act of generosity.

Financial donations have been incredibly helpful, and we are deeply grateful for them- but - what has moved me most has been the kindness and love of our community.

People we know and complete strangers have shown up with heartfelt prayers, encouraging words, cookies, meals, flowers, baby gifts, stories of their own journeys, and countless reminders that we are not walking this road alone. You have made sure we felt held during this season, and I will never forget that.

Yoga has always been about connection. The word yoga means “to yoke” or “to unite”—to connect. In so many ways, that is exactly what our community has done for us.

Thank you for connecting with us, for carrying us when we needed it, and for loving our sweet Juni so well. We are humbled, deeply grateful, and forever changed by your kindness. 🤍

06/26/2026

Man for down syndrome we are feeling pretty up.✨
Turn up the volume for first time, baby giggles 💗
Poor Juni is finding out mommy is coo coo 😜🤪😇

06/26/2026

Reasons Juni will be breastfed as long as possible and have a healthy diet 💗

🔬 Mitochondria are small structures inside the cells of the body. They are often called the "powerhouses" of the cell because they make about 90% of the energy cells need.

Mitochondrial dysfunction occurs when the mitochondria do not work as well as they should. Many factors can contribute to mitochondrial dysfunction, including genetics, medications, pollution, aging, and some viruses. People with Down syndrome have mitochondrial dysfunction due to having an extra copy of the 21st chromosome.

Mitochondrial dysfunction is linked to several health conditions, including Alzheimer's disease, obesity, diabetes, and others. It is not clear whether the mitochondrial dysfunction causes the condition, the condition causes the mitochondrial dysfunction, or other factors cause both. Research is ongoing. Brian Chicoine, MD, shares more information in the article linked below.

🔗 https://adultdownsyndrome.org/resources/mitochondria-in-down-syndrome/

06/14/2026

Never sorry 💗

05/21/2026

🪻 Juni Mac — Day 92 Earth Side 🪻

Junie had a wonderful cardiology appointment today. Her cardiologist presented her surgical case to the team of surgeons at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, and all agreed that she is a strong candidate for a two-ventricle repair rather than the single-ventricle pathway that had previously been a concern. This is exactly what we had been hoping and praying for.

Junie’s growth and weight gain continue to go well, and her surgery is tentatively planned for August 2026.

We are so grateful for all of the prayers, encouragement, and love that continue to surround our family. Watching Junie keep overcoming obstacle after obstacle has been incredible, and we feel truly blessed by how well she continues to do. She keeps knocking everything out of the park. 🤍