Happy World Down Syndrome Day-March 21, 2014

 Today marks the 9^th Anniversary of “World Down Syndrome Day” and each year the voice of people with Down syndrome, and those who live and work with them grows louder. But there is still so much more to do!

Today is the day that some in the world have seen fit to change the virtue and value of the lives of those with Down syndrome. You can count our family in on this day! There is so much that comes to mind for Dylan, myself, and Greg that highlights our appreciation and gratefulness for Down syndrome.

Over the last year and a half our journey with “disability” in the context of raising a growing and young family we often wondered what the impact of Dylan’s life would be? Would he be able to play, grow and learn like other’s his age? Would he be accepted by others, would he be bullied? There are many other questions that can flood the mind of a parent in the midst of disability. A parent’s response to the ongoing challenges brought on by a child’s diagnosis directly impacts every relationship in the family. By God’s grace over the last couple of years we have been able to see, hear, and experience the impact that Down syndrome has had on Dylan first hand. He is nothing but pure joy, and has love written all over his face. When people ask me “how is he doing”? This is my response: “He is doing amazing! He will go far in life because he is one determined little boy. Dylan will reach his own goals just like your child will and on his own time.” I will push him because I am his mom and I only want the best for him. He will do things that he wants to do, he will play the sports he wants to play and he will learn the way he wants to learn and follow every dream that may come his way. Just because he is different, does not mean he will be anything but perfect!

There are so many little ways that their character and worldview has been impacted by disability. They recognize the good in everyone and always have a smile on their face! Disability is obviously in our midst, but Dylan is just Dylan, he is our primary existence as an individual, our son, and a loving human being that god created. We know that we have a long way to go in our parenting, but it is no different than any other parent in the world. It has been a great encouragement to see that disability has not served as a wedge between our family and the character of God. No, far from it. Down syndrome, and disability in general, has been nothing but pure joy and more love then I could have ever imagined!

So on this day our family stands blessed, proud, changed, and more in love with what Down syndrome has brought to our lives. This is all in part of God creating Dylan together especially for our family.

If you are the parent, family member or friend of a person with Down syndrome, you should be contemplating how to celebrate one of the most important days of the year: World Down Syndrome Day.

03/21 is the day set aside to celebrate the triplication of chromosome 21 that is the genetic composition of people with this condition.

This special event has been created to generate awareness about the abilities and possibilities of people with Down syndrome. As a special fact, it is estimated that around 6 million people in the world live with this condition and we are all more alike than we know.

Happy Down Syndrome Day!