It’s Down syndrome Awareness Month! You should know that there is much to learn from someone with Down syndrome.
You might recall from last year that I asked our family how they felt about Kara & what they’ve learned about Ds. If you didn’t catch on…she’s pretty popular & Down syndrome isn’t a primary focus in our family.
This year I wanted to push my point even further.
I presented some questions to the people around us that DON’T share our blood: our friends, friends of friends, co-workers, neighbors, even the girl who cuts my hair. Not long ago, these would have been painful questions for me to ask. I want to thank everyone who participated – I promise that every response below makes a difference. What I found is that having someone with Down syndrome has only made a positive impact on our community. There is always something to learn from someone with Down syndrome.
In this post you’ll read what they want their kids to learn from someone with Down syndrome.
This is what they had to say:
“I want ALL of my family to learn the value of human worth. Not just in the world of Down syndrome, but in all walks of “opportunities “. I want them to know that God has made each of us who we are not by chance but by His Grace.”⠀~ Bambi, co-worker
“I want my kids to approach an individual with Ds the same as the next kid. That individuals diagnosed with Down syndrome are much more capable than society and stereotypes lead us to believe. I want to teach my children that there is always something to learn from others, similar to myself, as you continue to open our eyes to the needs as well as the accomplishments of children with Ds.“⠀~ Nicole, mutual friend
“A lesson I want my kids to learn from someone with Down Syndrome is that there is no normal! Everyone has their own unique needs, traits, and personality. They were made perfectly the way they are supposed to be!! I want my kids to be able to look past the surface and see others for who they are!”⠀~ Brittany, neighbor⠀
“This is something I’ve thought a lot about since having babies together & finding out Kara had Down syndrome before our girls were even born. First and foremost I want my girls to treat everyone with love and respect.
“There is so much diversity in the world…”
There is so much diversity in the world that it should be appreciated and celebrated because life would be boring without it! Kara really teaches us about perseverance in everything she does. It’s been inspiring to watch her journey and her determination to push forward.”⠀~ Rachel, best friend
“There are MANY. But one that sticks out to me is the lesson of perseverance and not limiting yourself-either by your own doing or by the confines that someone else places on you. Obstacles may arise but you can overcome them and succeed!”⠀~Alyssa, chiropractic office manager
“I don’t know if this would be a lesson for my children. More less a lesson for me, as a parent, to show them that we all are made the way we are supposed to be. Having Down syndrome doesn’t make one less worthy of another person. There’s nothing down about Down syndrome.⠀
I just hope to make an impact on my children and show them importance of kindness and compassion♥️.”⠀~Mallorie, cosmetologist
“No two people are the exact same…”
“I’m so thankful that both of my kids get to grow up around Kara and her spirit. She is seriously incredible to be around and I’m constantly learning from her. My hope for my kids is that I can instill that while, yes, Kara is different, so are they. No two people are the exact same and they are lucky to have this first hand experience early on.
I will instill in them people with Ds may or may not need some additional help with certain things. Maybe it’s a message that they’re trying to communicate or to stand up for Kara when others don’t understand Ds. I’ll teach them to not treat Kara or anyone with Ds any different than anyone else.
That famous golden rule? Yep. Applies here, now, and always. As my kids continue to grow and learn, I’ll teach them to ask questions, take that information,and educate others. Knowing Kara and knowing about Ds has only made me a better person. Who wouldn’t want that?!” ~ Melissa, friend⠀
“Compassion for others they may meet that are a little different”
“I would want my kids to learn that there are so many different types of people in this world that offer many different things. I would also want it to teach them compassion for others they may meet that are a little different.”⠀~Devon, friend
“A lesson I want my son to learn is leadership. I want him to take initiative to reaching out/making friends with those who may be different than him and encourage his future friend group to do so too.
A couple of years ago I had a college assignment for a special education class to interview a parent of someone with special needs. I interviewed the mom of a child I worked with in a middle school. This student was well loved by nearly every student and I saw many students helping him, talking to him (not at him or down to him), & befriending him the 2 years I was at this school. During the interview with the mom though, she said he had NEVER been invited to a birthday party since kindergarten. That brought tears to my eyes. I want my son to be able to take initiative to not only be kind in school, but out of school too. That’s what he should learn from someone with Down syndrome.” ~Hilairie, friend
“…A new point of view of the world.”
“I’m thankful to have Kara in my daughter’s life because she has changed so many people in just a short time. I think growing up with someone with Ds is not just about learning facts, it’s about loving and growing with that person. We’ve watched Kara blossom and her amazing personality has opened our hearts and our minds, giving us a new point of view of the world.
Since Kara was born, we’ve watched her grow day by day and week by week & our minds have truly opened up to what a person with Ds can accomplish. We love her dearly and having her in our lives has reinforced what we’ve always taught my own daughter in our home; never judge and always stand up for yourself & others. I know Kara is going to grow up to be such a strong & amazing woman like her mother! She will keep changing minds on what someone with Ds can accomplish. I love learning from someone with Down syndrome.” ~ Hailey, friend
