Blog Hop: What did you just call my kid?

BLOG HOP

Topic: What have people said that has gotten under your skin about Down Syndrome - and what do you want them to say instead?

What NOT to call my child:

Down's Kid

Mongoloid

Retard

Idiot

Dummy

Stupid

Freak

What NOT to say or ask me:

I'm Sorry.

Did you know? What would you have done if you knew?

Wow, thats awful.

Poor kid, poor you.

Can they fix that?

Is it catchy?

What's wrong with him?

*Disclaimer* I do not at all mind you asking questions about him. I LOVE answering questions, because that means I am creating awareness. But the questions above are just rude and unnecessary. And I will not entertain them. And if you do happen to ask me something above, you may be met with a really bad attitude or a really sarcastic answer, depending on my mood.

Ugh, just writing stuff like that, makes my skin just crawl!! And I get asked these things on a weekly basis. At the grocery store, at the mall, at a play date, on the beach. There is no where he or I are safe. What a world we live in, where my son seems to be the side show! I long for a world who stops making fun of those who are just a little different. Yeah, I said a little different. The only thing that separates him from us is 1 little stinking chromosome. One little tiny thing that is so ridiculously minute that it shouldnt even matter. 

Look, God makes NO mistakes. He made children with Down Syndrome FOR A REASON. They have a purpose. And if it is to humble people like me, or show people what unconditional love is, or to have a snuggle buddy for life, then that purpose has been achieved. But I still think there is a bigger purpose. I still think there is so much more to be done out there for Down Syndrome. EVERYONE who has met my son, has noticed the twinkle in his eye and his intoxicating laugh. They go to him for the best hugs, and go to him so that their day is suddenly brightened. Heck, he has way more friends then I do. 

I know I used to be one of those people. You know, the one who stares and possibly whispers. Well, I'm going to be transparent here, I still stare, but for a completely different reason... I stare now, because I want to make a friend, a friend with someone who is in the club... The Down Syndrome Parents club. Cause when our kids are born, we are silently initiated. And we just automatically belong. We can find each other in a crowd. We have a magnetic force that brings us together no matter where we are at, or what we are doing. We laugh and cry about all our trials and triumphs. We just... well we just understand! But before that club. I was like you. And I am ashamed.

When Dakota was born. And Down Syndrome left my lips like poison, I sat in stunned silence. A whirlwind of what ifs took me over. But when they placed him in my arms. I knew my life had just changed. And here we are 6 years later, and my life is still changing daily. I hope one day, yours will too.

So what exactly do you call my son?

His name is Dakota. And he happens to have Down Syndrome, and if you are lucky enough, you can call him:

"FRIEND"