As October began, I shifted focus to the theme of Down Syndrome awareness. Some have suggested that Acceptance should be the focus word. A valid point to be sure, but awareness is more engrained into cultural language and frankly, rolls off the tongue a bit easier. In my last post however, I suggested that we move beyond awareness or acceptance to action. Awareness is a good thing, but it lacks any real change or difference. To that point, I was overwhelmed and encouraged as our friend and neighbor, Tara, showed up at our small and informal Buddy Walk that I talked about in my previous post. She shared that she felt compelled to move beyond awareness to action. Thus, she and her daughter, Abby, showed up and walked with us for which we were extremely grateful!
During our walk, Tara , being aware of the work and writing that I do specifically asked me, “What do you want people to know (about Down syndrome)?” For a moment I was taken aback by the fact that she asked such a genuine question. Beyond that, my mind flooded with talking points, stories, and examples, but it was as if my mind were a shaker bottle full of data and information that was unable to get through the tiny holes in the cap! I managed to come up with a couple things but realized she had given me the topic for my next blog, namely, what do I want people to know, and dare I say do as well? With that, thanks Tara! Here goes.
-First and foremost, people with Down syndrome are fearfully and wonderfully made in the image of God. Aside from the assortment of accompanying intellectual and developmental delays, as well as varying physical abnormalities and/or features, that also means they have a soul and have infinite worth.
-People with Down syndrome grow and develop spiritually. I had long wondered about the spiritual development of our son, Kaydan, and how that works in the lives of individuals with special needs and with certain impairments. But it hit me one day not so long ago after Kaydan had done something–I cannot recall what–for which he obviously felt remorse. He hung his head and using the sign for “sorry,” muttered as only he can, “I sorry Daddy.” I realized that he somehow distinguished the difference between right and wrong. He possessed a moral baseline that I frankly had not thought about. But where does that moral baseline come from? See the previous point! My son, your son, or grandchild, and specifically speaking of those with Down syndrome or any other diagnosis, have a soul and a Divinely created spirit that grows and develops. And to that end, we have a responsibility to nurture their spiritual growth in the same way that we have a responsibility to get them to a medical appointment for their physical development.
-Jesus died on the Cross for those with Down syndrome in the same way and with the same love that He died for the rest of us. This point occurred to me sometime around this past Easter in an overwhelming fashion. To put it another way, my son and your loved one with a special needs diagnosis, is as Redeemable as you or I, no more no less. And by the way, this is the ultimate program of Inclusion for anyone with special needs!
If you are reading this and not a person of faith, particularly the Christian faith, you might be wondering why I have shared the above as to what I want people to know? To be honest, that is not where I originally set out to go, in my mind at least. Frankly, I was developing a crafty way to inform readers how hard and challenging raising a child with Down syndrome is. Many know that truth. Part of me wanted to voice the heartfelt cry of some parents who simply wish they could return to the “normal” life they had before entering the special needs world. I wanted to share how others experience the pain of being marginalized and otherwise dismissed as they are no longer invited and/or included in activities with family or friends. The lame and hurtful basis being “We didn’t think you would be able to because of…..” Sadly, some families even marginalize themselves out of fear of embarrassment and/or difficulty in taking their child in public or even finding childcare. And while I do not want to sound like I am complaining that life is hard, I would submit that it is not easy.
So what do I want you to know? Simply this: Individuals with Down syndrome are just like you and I in terms of their created design in the image of God and ultimately, need Jesus in the same way that you and I do. AND, they have and create an array of challenges that impact families to varying degrees. So what do I want you to do? Simply this: Love. And specifically, love as a verb! For some of you that means going out of your way to engage with an individual with Down syndrome or a disability and talk with them as real person (because they are!). Others might feel compelled to offer to sit with an individual with special needs so that Mom can actually shower or at church so mom and dad can actually worship together. Some might even dare to give mom and dad the gift of a date night. Whatever it is, I challenge you to put love into action with an individual with Down syndrome (or special needs for that matter), and/or their family. Awareness and acceptance are wonderful things, but I dare suggest that love makes a far greater impact, specifically, love in action!
With October half over, as well as Down syndrome Awareness/Acceptance month, there is still and always time for you to act. Any month or day is a good time to put love into action, not just in October. In closing, I am reminded of Paul’s words in I Corinthians 13:13, “And now these three remain: faith, hope, and love. But the greatest of these is love.”
Thanks for reading. See you next month.
Brad