Happy World Down Syndrome Day! 3/21--three copies of the 21st chromosome. A day to celebrate the beauty of that little bit of extra and the extraordinary value that people with Down syndrome bring to our world.
It's good that we are celebrating. It's good that people are recognizing Down syndrome when they see it and it's becoming a regular part of their daily lives. As a little boy in my son's class says "That's Isaac. He's fun and teaches us to be kind.". (Today that little boy and Isaac held hands as they entered the school together). Many people across America are wearing crazy socks today to celebrate the uniqueness and beautify that DS brings to their life. Many are making presentations at schools and community groups, demystifying Down syndrome and promoting inclusion. All are WONDERFUL. Awareness is celebration!
Awareness can also bring light to the ugly realization that DS is not celebrated everywhere...
Both of my children are without their birth families because of that little tiny chromosome. They were born into cultures that do not celebrate and often hide those with disabilities. Without adoption, they would not have survived socially, and in Isaac's case would most likely not have lived to see kindergarten. I am thankful that they were indeed BORN. In as much as they were able, their birth mother's chose life. There are nations on this planet that brag about a nearly 100% prenatal diagnosis and termination rate of babies with Down syndrome. 100%. While the United States is not the top of that list (thank GOD), anywhere from 30-60% of known DS pregnancies in our own country do not result in a birth of that beautiful child. Simply put, when given the option about 50% of parents who know their future baby is rocking an extra chromosome, choose not to give their baby earthly breath. The only solace I have is knowing that each of those precious babies are playing joyfully at the feet of the Creator at this very moment, probably hearing THE BEST Bible stories ever from Jesus himself. That's got to be an amazing eternal Sunday school class!
(I asked Isaac today "Who taught you how to give such great hugs?" JESUS!)
So, what is our role as lovers of Down syndrome and followers of Christ?
- Celebrate Down syndrome as the wonderful and complicated gift that it is! Each child with that extra chromosome was uniquely created by God the Father...PERFECTLY.
- Engage families who are rocking designer genes. Ask questions. Learn about Trisomy 21. Make it a regular part of your thoughts & conversations. It's not weird or different if it's just...normal.
- Challenge yourself to erase "as long as the baby is healthy" from your prenatal vocabulary. Culturally we've accepted the lie that anything less than perfect physically and intellectual health is not desirable. I've started saying "as long as it's human"--because truly, if you birth a puppy, there is something seriously wrong!
- Get involved! Rock your crazy socks! Volunteer with Special Olympics or GiGi's Playhouse or Young Life Capernaum or any other opportunity to serve and support our chromosomally enhanced friends. It's never boring! And you WILL be blessed <3
From our family to yours HAPPY WORLD DOWN SYNDROME DAY...in the US, China, and Albania.
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