Now I know that people don't always see beauty when they look at my son, or at other people with Down syndrome. I know that most of the time, they just see someone who looks a little different, talks a little different, who has a definite and obvious disability. Really - it's written all over his face - it's not like someone would confuse him as not having down syndrome.
But tomorrow - I challenge all of you - to look a little deeper - to notice the things that I notice when I look at Brady. To see his beautiful blue eyes, with the solar eclipse golden ring around his pupil. To see his bright sunshiney smile when something pleases him or he accomplishes something great! To imagine his delight when he proclaims "I DID IT" and feels successful after doing something that is hard for him. To feel of his amazing capacity to love and forgive. To be touched by his innocence and love for the simplest of things. To see him study and watch and learn as he observes things around him, because although he may have a short attention span, he IS watching and observing and learning..... all the time...and when the lightbulb goes off in his head as he makes connections - wow - the light that shines through his eyes with his understanding is astounding. To be touched by my little miracle.
I challenge you to look for beauty in things that the world doesn't see as beautiful. Things that may be considered "less" or "broken". I challenge you to looks for the ABILITIES of people, and forget the dis part. I challenge to step out of your comfort zone, say "hi" to someone who is different than you, or to tell a person with a disability or the parent of a child with a disability how beautiful they are. You will never know how much that will mean to them, but know that it tells them that you see PAST the disability to who their child really is. Because in the end - our children are NOT their disabilities - they are our children.
So - for Brady - take some time today to see the beauty in the world of disability - especially down syndrome. Check out one of the blogs in my sidebar - check out some of Brady's beautiful friends who share the same little something extra that he does :) Celebrate the little things, notice even the smallest accomplishments, even in your typical kids, and know that each and every milestone is a victory and a miracle! And - maybe talk to your kids a bit about Trisomy 21, and help them to understand that children and people with down syndrome are more like them than different!
Together we can change the world, one person at a time, and find beauty in the small and simple things!
Won't you come and celebrate with us? If you do - please leave a comment, even anonymously so I can celebrate with you too!!!!
Happy World Down Syndrome Day!!!!
4 comments:
Brady is Grandpa's special joy and mine too. Give him a hug for us and tell him we'll be seeing him soon!
Big hugs for Brady! Sure miss you guys. Wish we could you more!!
Happy World Down Syndrome Day! I loved this post. I'm so thankful to share this journey with such wonderful people!
Come link your post up at 5 Minutes For Special Needs!
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