{"id":3055,"date":"2021-04-30T15:30:48","date_gmt":"2021-04-30T19:30:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/?p=3055"},"modified":"2021-04-30T15:30:48","modified_gmt":"2021-04-30T19:30:48","slug":"the-up-side-of-downs","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/?p=3055","title":{"rendered":"The Up Side of Downs"},"content":{"rendered":"

Lisa Palermo Matto celebrates her very special daughter in new book<\/strong><\/h2>\n

By David Tyler<\/strong><\/p>\n

When you enter the Matto home in Fayetteville, you know instantly you\u2019re in the home of a loving family. Photo collages adorn the walls \u2013 pictures of smiling children on beaches, posing with parents, sharing moments of joy with one another.<\/p>\n

For Lisa Palermo Matto, telling the story of her daughter, Marlee, is about sharing her sense of wonder and joy with a broader audience. Marlee has a wide smile, a big heart and mischievous sense of humor. She also has Down Syndrome.<\/p>\n

In February, Lisa published her first book, The Up Side of Downs<\/i>, available on amazon.com, in which she tells Marlee\u2019s story through a series of hilarious and heartfelt anecdotes that capture exactly what the title suggests.<\/p>\n

\u201cMarlee would get into these situations that were really funny sometimes, and sometimes really nerve-wracking,\u201d Lisa said. When she would recount these stories to family and friends, they would often tell her that she had to write it all down. Eventually, there were enough stories to compile into a book.<\/p>\n

That process began about five years ago, but when the pandemic arrived, it gave Lisa the opportunity to really dig into finishing the book. She utilized the graphic talents of a neighbor, Brooke Stratton, for the layout and illustrations that accompany each story. Stratton, she said, was instrumental in helping her through the publishing process on Amazon.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt came together,\u201d she said, \u201cso far beyond what I ever imagined how well received it would be.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Lisa is quick to point out that this is not a self-help book filled with parenting tips. Rather it is a celebration of Marlee and of the community that has helped her thrive.<\/p>\n

\u201cI wrote this book to chronicle Marlee,\u201d she said. \u201cBut I think what I found out when doing the readbacks was how much I grew. And I think that is a hopeful observation for parents that have younger kids than we do.\u201d<\/p>\n

Marlee, now 20, is at times gregarious and at others a little bashful. She is self-conscious about the way her eyes look, but happy to share a smile. She likes to play jokes and has a crush on the actor Chris Pine (\u201cI\u2019m obsessed with him.\u201d) She\u2019s looking forward to going to Inclusive U at Syracuse University in the fall, but at the same time she has apprehensions about leaving home.<\/p>\n

In many ways, she\u2019s a lot like other young women her age.<\/p>\n

\u201cOur kids want to be independent,\u201d Lisa said. \u201cThey have dreams and hopes and friends and school \u2013 just like everybody else.\u201d<\/p>\n

The book chronicles Marlee\u2019s adventures, and at times misadventures, in a way that all parents can appreciate. It shares the story of family vacations with Lisa, her husband Dave, and Marlee\u2019s brother Casey, and of the landmark events that every child looks forward to: the school play, playing sports on a team, the prom.<\/p>\n

There was the time Marlee took off in a golf cart with a terrified and unsuspecting passenger in tow. Another time, she wandered from her grandparents\u2019 condo in Florida wearing only her birthday suit. Once at the zoo, she picked up a little girl toddler and took off with her \u201cbecause she so cute and I want a sister.\u201d<\/p>\n

It also tells the story of a girl with a big heart, who makes friends easily and finds joy in bringing happiness to others.<\/p>\n

And Lisa is quick to point out that their greater community had a lot to do with Marlee\u2019s successes, in particular, their neighbors, the Donellas, who have been a part of Marlee\u2019s life since a very early age.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat I hope people will take away from the book is to see the abilities \u2013 the abilities in her, but also the abilities in the people in the neighborhood that we have, and the community that we have, and the school district that we have,\u201d she said. \u201cPeople [should] see what a difference that made.\u201d<\/p>\n

\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Lisa Palermo Matto celebrates her very special daughter in new book By David Tyler When you enter the Matto home in Fayetteville, you know instantly you\u2019re in the home of a loving family. Photo collages adorn the walls \u2013 pictures of smiling children on beaches, posing with parents, sharing moments of joy with one another.…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":3056,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[1166,1165,1164],"class_list":["post-3055","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-special-feature","tag-downs-syndrome","tag-lisa-matto","tag-the-up-side-of-downs"],"gutentor_comment":0,"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/DSC_0347.jpg?fit=2560%2C1707&ssl=1","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":866,"url":"https:\/\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/?p=866","url_meta":{"origin":3055,"position":0},"title":"Lisa Waterfield","author":"Staff","date":"June 30, 2017","format":false,"excerpt":"A Colorful Passion By\u00a0Shweta Karikehalli | Photography by Mary Grace Johnson Lisa Waterfield is many things \u2014 a mother, a small business co-owner, a problem solver and a nature lover. Originally from Alexandria, Va., Lisa relocated in 1996 to Central New York to be closer to her family. Since then,\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Featured"","block_context":{"text":"Featured","link":"https:\/\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/?cat=99"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/06\/Inspire_Lisa_0717-2.jpg?fit=1200%2C805&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/06\/Inspire_Lisa_0717-2.jpg?fit=1200%2C805&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/06\/Inspire_Lisa_0717-2.jpg?fit=1200%2C805&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/06\/Inspire_Lisa_0717-2.jpg?fit=1200%2C805&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/06\/Inspire_Lisa_0717-2.jpg?fit=1200%2C805&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":2930,"url":"https:\/\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/?p=2930","url_meta":{"origin":3055,"position":1},"title":"‘You never get over it, but you can get through it’","author":"Staff","date":"August 6, 2020","format":false,"excerpt":"After losing child to suicide, Lisa and David Craig turn to raising awareness for teenage mental health By Emma Vallelunga \u00a0 Lisa and David Craig are the parents who did everything they could. Their daughter Corey couldn\u2019t see a world with herself in it anymore. Instead of telling her own\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Cover Story"","block_context":{"text":"Cover Story","link":"https:\/\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/?cat=100"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/cover-web.jpg?fit=1200%2C801&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/cover-web.jpg?fit=1200%2C801&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/cover-web.jpg?fit=1200%2C801&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/cover-web.jpg?fit=1200%2C801&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/cover-web.jpg?fit=1200%2C801&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":3182,"url":"https:\/\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/?p=3182","url_meta":{"origin":3055,"position":2},"title":"Lisa Wiles: Twice a lifesaver","author":"Staff","date":"March 3, 2022","format":false,"excerpt":"\u00a0 By Ken Sturtz When Lisa Wiles replays the events of April 9, 2020, as she has many times, she\u2019s reminded that things easily could\u2019ve ended differently. She worked a half day, napped, ran errands and then showered. It was her brother\u2019s birthday so she and her husband, Dan Wiles,\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Cover Story"","block_context":{"text":"Cover Story","link":"https:\/\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/?cat=100"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Lisa-Wiles-0002-scaled.jpg?fit=801%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Lisa-Wiles-0002-scaled.jpg?fit=801%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Lisa-Wiles-0002-scaled.jpg?fit=801%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Lisa-Wiles-0002-scaled.jpg?fit=801%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":3764,"url":"https:\/\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/?p=3764","url_meta":{"origin":3055,"position":3},"title":"Inspire: Angela McCarthy – Keeping fit, both physically and mentally","author":"syracusewomanmag_c4lfdt","date":"September 6, 2023","format":false,"excerpt":"By Janelle Davis Success depends on your backbone, not your wishbone. This is a quote that Angela McCarthy has lived by her whole life. Part of Angela\u2019s inspiration to live a healthy lifestyle has been her family. Growing up, she watched her mom struggle with weight management, high blood pressure,\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Special Feature"","block_context":{"text":"Special Feature","link":"https:\/\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/?cat=4"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/IMG-1369-scaled.jpg?fit=1200%2C900&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/IMG-1369-scaled.jpg?fit=1200%2C900&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/IMG-1369-scaled.jpg?fit=1200%2C900&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/IMG-1369-scaled.jpg?fit=1200%2C900&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/IMG-1369-scaled.jpg?fit=1200%2C900&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":2383,"url":"https:\/\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/?p=2383","url_meta":{"origin":3055,"position":4},"title":"INSPIRE: Lisa Alford","author":"Staff","date":"May 4, 2019","format":false,"excerpt":"By Jessica Collins Lisa Alford\u2019s favorite poem is Max Ehrmann\u2019s \u201cDesiderata.\u201d \u00a0 \u201cGo placidly\u00a0amid the noise and the haste,\u201d Ehrmann wrote in the 1927 poem, \u201cand remember what peace there may be in silence. As far as possible, without surrender, be on good terms with all persons.\u201d \u00a0 Lisa said\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Features"","block_context":{"text":"Features","link":"https:\/\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/?cat=101"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/dsc-4093.jpg?fit=1200%2C853&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/dsc-4093.jpg?fit=1200%2C853&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/dsc-4093.jpg?fit=1200%2C853&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/dsc-4093.jpg?fit=1200%2C853&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/dsc-4093.jpg?fit=1200%2C853&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":306,"url":"https:\/\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/?p=306","url_meta":{"origin":3055,"position":5},"title":"Chloe Burian","author":"Staff","date":"January 26, 2017","format":false,"excerpt":"The Heart Hero By Lorna Oppedisano | Photography by Sara Felice\u00a0 Audrey Burian has an unlikely hero: her 5-year-old daughter, Chloe. A little more than a year ago \u2014 after months of testing and surgeries \u2014 Chloe was diagnosed with Marfan syndrome, a rare connective tissue disorder that affects about\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Featured"","block_context":{"text":"Featured","link":"https:\/\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/?cat=99"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/Inspire_Chloe-Burian_0217_online.jpg?fit=1200%2C794&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/Inspire_Chloe-Burian_0217_online.jpg?fit=1200%2C794&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/Inspire_Chloe-Burian_0217_online.jpg?fit=1200%2C794&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/Inspire_Chloe-Burian_0217_online.jpg?fit=1200%2C794&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/Inspire_Chloe-Burian_0217_online.jpg?fit=1200%2C794&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]}],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3055","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=3055"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3055\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3059,"href":"https:\/\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3055\/revisions\/3059"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/3056"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=3055"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=3055"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=3055"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}