5 THINGS TO CELEBRATE ON WORLD DOWN SYNDROME DAY

Our daughter, Jennifer has Down Syndrome, and today is World Down Syndrome Day.   We are so amazed at all the incredible people and places that now CELEBRATE Down Syndrome.  Yes, CELEBRATE!!  Having Down Syndrome is a gift.  Yes, a gift for the whole world!   If.  If we take the time to look at the beauty that comes with one little extra chromosome!

Here are my Top 5 reasons to CELEBRATE Down Syndrome ~

1.  PEOPLE WHO HAVE DOWN SYNDROME ARE THE MOST GENUINE PEOPLE YOU WILL EVER MEET.  Yes, that gift should make many of us jealous……

Our Jen teaches us what it means to be genuine!  No pretense in the girl.  What you see is what you get!  And, the best part is, she accepts everyone, just the way they are.  No conditions.  No demands.  With all your faults, she will never reject you because you don’t do, or behave according to her expectations!  Guile does not exist in one cell of her body!  If she LOVES that big butterfly barrette. or the most giant flower hair clip in her hair, by golly, she could care less what you think.  Off she goes out the door with that butterfly in her hair, swag and all!  I used to confiscate, try to hide, even throw away some of the jewelry/hair purchase she would purchase when out shopping with Dad.  And there was always Kevin’s gentle, “But she liked it.”  Hmmm. Now that Spring is here, I think, ok Spring flowers watch out!  Jen will spend hour upon hour picking everything in sight; and creating little flower arrangements all over the house, and even making her own little flower wreaths she wears upon her sweet head!!  Do we take the time to delight in the gifts God has placed all around us, or are we spinning in perpetual busyness?  She teaches us that to be a genuine person you don’t have to live life chasing, chasing, chasing; Jen enjoys life one walk, one dance, one flower at a time!

   

    

2.  PEOPLE WHO HAVE DOWN SYNDROME HAVE GIFTS, AND SEEK TO EMBRACE ALL THE OPPORTUNITIES TO LIVE A FULL LIFE,  JUST LIKE YOU AND I!

Jen has participated in plays, swims, dances, Zumba class with her friends, participates in the 5K Fitness Run/walk with the Adult Down Syndrome Center at Lutheran General Hospital; attends GiGi University; was in her sister’s wedding; loves making new friendships and her artwork is BEAUTIFUL!!  She loves shopping, manicures, coffee and money.  For her, the more bling, the better!

       

    

  

   

      

     

          

  Jen’s First Art Exhibit at a local coffee shop!  Oh Joy!

3.  PEOPLE WHO HAVE DOWN SYNDROME ARE JUST AS CAPABLE OF GIVING AND RECEIVING LOVE.  UM, HAVE I ALREADY SAID…….JUST LIKE YOU AND I.

Perhaps, I sometimes wonder, if in fact, they are more capable of giving and receiving love. Seriously.

   

           

   

4.  PEOPLE WHO HAVE DOWN SYNDROME EXPERIENCE JOY……….IN ITS FULLNESS!

NO additional words needed……

  

  

5.  PEOPLE WHO HAVE DOWN SYNDROME ARE BEAUTIFUL!!

Imagine that……no words needed.  AGAIN!

   

    

        

Ok, so there you have it!   My Top 5 Reasons to Celebrate Down Syndrome today!

In closing, I would like to say a HUGE thank you to all the incredible people who are a part of Jen’s life; who love her and care for her with such love!  Her life has been immeasurably blessed with so many incredible people who help her be the very best person she can be!  THANK YOU!!

I have been a mom of Peeps with special needs for many a year now, and there is one thing that is so radiant in their lives.  It is their desire to be a part of their family, their community.  They need to feel loved, accepted and included!  Oh, wait!  I think that is saying they want to L-O-V-E and BE LOVED……………………………………..just like you and I.

Here are just a few of Jen’s very special friends ~

  

 

  

 

  

 

Celebrating life, the BEAUTIFUL life of our Jen, and the gift of that extra little chromosome.  It is not true that people with special needs are sent by God to special parents.  Having Jen in our family is what makes our family special!  Happy Down Syndrome Day 2015!!