Camilla Downs

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About Camilla Downs
Camilla Downs (pronounced like Pamela, but with a “C”), was born in Witchita, Kansas and raised in Mississippi and Louisiana. Named after Camilla Sparv, a Swedish actress well known in the 1960’s and 70’s, she is the great great granddaughter of a full blooded Chickasaw Indian and an Irish immigrant.
Downs relocated to Nevada after working for 10 years as a paralegal in Washington State. She is mother to two children, Thomas and Lillian. They call themselves Team TLC to correspond with the first letters of each of their names and share their journey on The Team TLC website (http://www.TheTeamTLC.com). Lillian has a chromosome abnormality simply called 18p-. This means she is missing the short arm of chromosome #18.
Her first memoir, “D iz for Different – One Woman’s Journey to Acceptance“, touches on Downs’ nearly ten year marriage, becoming parent to one with special needs, and ultimately becoming a single parent to both kids when Thomas was one year old.
She began writing the book in June 2011 and the book was published in less than a year in May 2012. “D iz for Different” went on to become a best-selling book on Amazon in the categories of special needs parenting and self-help.
In October 2016, her son’s book, “Biggest Little Photographer“ was published. At 8 years old, Thomas took on a 365 photo a day project. Every day for one year he took a photo of a minifigure photographer taking a photo. The book contains about half of the photographs along with handpicked quotes by Thomas and Camilla.
In January of 2018 Lillian’s debut book, titled “Where Would You Fly and Other Magical Stories” was published. This is a beautiful book of Lillian’s writings from age 4 to 15 years old. The book also includes Lillian’s artwork and a few of Camilla’s nature photographs.
Downs is a walker. She is out for walks anywhere from three to six days a week. Nature is partly the inspiration for her writings and poetry. The other part is a desire to process her life experiences; to give them an outlet through writing. In addition to walking, she meditates six mornings week, loves to read, and enjoys eating delicious vegan eats.
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Author Updates
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Blog postOh wow! What a wonderful world Lillian transported me to. What a beautiful soul she is!
I loved the beauty, the innocence, the depth and the magic of Lillian Darnell’s writing. This was truly a wonderful adventure into her amazing world and I enjoyed reading every story and every quote. Such beautiful quotes that really touched my heart. – Jennifer Jansen
For more information about Where Would You Fly, go here …
http://www.WhereWouldYouFly.com
Blessings,
Ca2 months ago Read more -
Blog postI’m a member of an author/book reader facebook group, and the admins ask great questions. I decided to turn some of the questions into a “get to know me” series. I would also love to hear your answers to the questions posed in the series. Thanks Helen for asking such fun questions!
What happens in your country/town/area regularly that people in most countries would find strange or bizarre?
I don’t support or condone it, but there’s a yearly Camel Race in Virginia City.
N2 months ago Read more -
Blog post**THROWBACK POST**
May 21 2021
Have you ever had your face, jaw, and ears massaged? I highly recommend it. Home from 90 minutes of pure bliss by way of a massage. I shall now melt into the kitchen to make dinner. I’d rather melt into a hot shower and soak, followed by melting into the couch. But that will have to wait until after dinner.
…. And scalp, and fingers, and toes, and butt …. That was such a glorious massage ….
June 3 2021
Lillian and I are ju3 months ago Read more -
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Blog postOn February 26, 2022 I turned 52 years old. I seem to be behind in many non-urgent tasks these days. My body decided to get my attention once I hit 50, along with being extremely exhausted. I’ve had my hands full addressing some health issues, along with addressing urgent or deadline intense matters for Thomas and Lillian.
We had a low-key, mild celebration. The Romano Duo and my brother came to our place, with Frank kicking things off by making me a couple of virgin bloody marys. We3 months ago Read more -
Blog post**THROWBACK POST**
May 25 2021
Lillian and Camilla May 2021 Date Day
It was a momentous date day. First time for Lillian to go inside of anyplace in just over a year. She was excited. Clothes shopping for our first stop.
Part 2 through I lost count, as we made so many stops, I’m delirious.
Fries and lemonade at Noble Pie Parlor. Then to pick up dessert. Watermelon macaroon for Lillian, ginger rose dark chocolate for me.3 months ago Read more -
Blog post**THROWBACK POST** May 18 2021
For the past 5 months I’ve been buying parts from a list that Thomas created, 2-3 every month. Finally bought the remaining components last week, with the monitor arriving yesterday.
For the past day and a half I’ve been “Assistant to Thomas Darnell” as he built it. It is all finished now! Didn’t have “helping build a computer” on my 2021 Bingo card.
“It’s like a LEGO set with tiny, delicate parts.” – he says as he’s putting it together3 months ago Read more -
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Blog post**THROWBACK POST**
April 2021
(Photo from Pexels)
It’s been an intense week of advocating, buffered with attending two Zoom poetry readings, getting my first vaccine shot, and April date day with Lillian. The poetry readings were great fun, and our date day was beautiful!
Read on if you’re interested in some venting about insurance and advocating. Otherwise, hope you’re having a GREAT Saturday!
What I would like to know …
Why provide medicaid to3 months ago Read more -
Blog postI’m a member of an author/book reader facebook group, and the admins ask great questions. I decided to turn some of the questions into a “get to know me” series. I would also love to hear your answers to the questions posed in the series. Thanks Helen for asking such fun questions!
What’s the worst thing you ever did as a child and what was your punishment?
The worst things I did, were done to myself.
When I was 5 or 6, I stuck a lil red berry up my nose. Why? I have n3 months ago Read more -
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Blog postOn November 1 2021, I mailed the letters we wrote to ourselves in 2016, five years ago. We wrote them, sealed them, and I hid them in my fireproof safe box. I put a note on my calendar for 5 years out to mail them. I absolutely did not remember what I had written!
This was such a moving experience. On November 3rd, we received the letters we wrote to our future selves five years ago, November 2016. Thank you 2016 Camilla. Thomas likes his, too. Lillian likes the advice she gave hersel3 months ago Read more -
Blog postI’m a member of an author/book reader facebook group, and the admins ask great questions. I decided to turn some of the questions into a “get to know me” series. I would also love to hear your answers to the questions posed in the series. Thanks Helen for asking such fun questions!
Which three songs would be the first picks in the soundtrack of your life – not necessarily your favourites but the most relevant.
My tastes in music are all over the place, depending on my mood, an3 months ago Read more -
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Titles By Camilla Downs
This A to Z inspiring memoir recounts Downs' journey to acceptance of herself, her daughter's genetic abnormality of 18p- and becoming a single mom. Through Downs' realization's we learn that accepting ourselves and our situations is the key to being able to accept others, tap into our vein of courage and live in the present moment. Downs details her journey with the methods and thought process that led her to achieve true acceptance and genuine happiness. You'll learn ways to redefine your thought processes and belief system by applying the practical, insightful “Tips for the Journey” at the end of each chapter.
Whether you need to decrease stress and worries, or increase self-confidence, this powerful book will help you make changes for the better and realize you are not alone. Begin your new journey today!
“As a blind person myself, I understand the challenge and blessing of doing things differently. In this book, Camilla shares her journey with Lillian which will help us all do more, give more, and be more.” -Jim Stovall, Emmy-award Winner, Best-selling author, The Ultimate Gift
“My granddaughter Mable and my niece Elizabeth are both different enough to have special needs so I speak from personal experience about Camilla Downs' enlightening book 'D iz for Different: One Woman’s Journey to Acceptance'. I believe this book will help those who find themselves asking how and why questions about their “differently-abled” loved one. This quick and thoughtful read gives answers to hard questions and provides some easily used tools to help people move more quickly to a place of peace and acceptance.” -Julie Ziglar Norman, Proud Grandmother and Aunt, Founder of Ziglar Women, Inspirational Speaker, Author of Growing Up Ziglar: A Daughter’s Broken Journey from Heartache to Hope
The Poetry of Nature, The Poetry of Appreciation, The Poetry of Healing, The Poetry of Love - in one beautiful book.
In Words of Alchemy, Camilla Downs invites you to walk with her to share her love of Nature and Life through a free-verse poetry memoir.
During her daily strolls she is mindfully present as she delves into life in the raw and experiences her heart’s observations.
Camilla embraces what happens when she opens her heart and invites the written words to flow. The Alchemy of Love and Healing is what happens.