World Down Syndrome Day

Tomorrow is World Down Syndrome Day. It's a day to bring awareness to the world about Down syndrome, but most people are aware of it. At least all of the people we have the pleasure of coming into contact with. Sean brings Down syndrome right to the forefront anytime he meets someone. Not because we wear it like the scarlet letter, but because he is soooooo typical. People are genuinely surprised to see their ideas of Down syndrome crumble right before their eyes.

So tomorrow and all the days after, we'd like for all of our friends and family to do a couple of things for us.

We want you to teach your kids that not everyone speaks as well as others.

Teach your students that not everyone reads as quickly or does math problems as easily.

Teach your parents and grandparents that the things they thought about people/children with Down syndrome just isn't true anymore. That as times have changed in everything else, so has the understanding of what Down syndrome actually is, what can be affected and what people with Down syndrome are able to actually accomplish when they're believed in and given the tools to succeed

Teach your friends that if they have nothing constructive to ask (we welcome questions) or say, then please shove your wine glass to your lips for fear of alienating your friends.

Teach the world that EVERYONE has something to offer and everyone is a contributing member of society.

Teach your pediatricians, ob/gyn's, dentists, and any medical professional you meet that there is no text book Down syndrome. There is no such thing as a little bit Downs. It is not acceptable to not treat a person with Down syndrome for something you'd treat a typical person for.

Please reassure your sister, best friend, neighbor that if they get an iffy test result when they're pregnant, that Down syndrome is not a death sentence. Please help them reach out to "us" to see that our kids are just that. Kids. They are full of life and vibrancy and they bring that into everything they touch. Just like all kids.

And last, but certainly not least.... give yourself a hug. We have all been there. We've all said that. Know that as moms of children/adults with Down syndrome we do not feel like we're above using the word retarded. We have. We remember. We are not above or deny that we've had our own notions of what people with Down syndrome are like. We remember the fear. We remember the concern.

We have had to learn. Our eyes were forced open to many nuances that make people with Down syndrome unique just like the many nuances make EVERYONE unique. We have had to learn how to fight and speak up in areas we thought people were just being to sensitive about. Sorry Jenn Jenn.

We hope that as people get to know us and our children/friends/family members, etc that they see that Down syndrome is simply.... extra genetics. It means nothing more than a person may or may not have brown hair, blue eyes, one leg longer than the other, may read faster than his peers and may stink at math (like so many others).