Warning! Warning! This blog post is bound to be full of cheesy sayings and quotes that would normally be reserved for buttons of “flair”.
If you are not already aware, let me inform you that October is Down Syndrome Awareness month. Given that I am blessed with wonderful friends who happen to live with Down Syndrome everyday and are willing subjects for me, I am happy to present my 2011 blog post. If you would like to see last year’s post, click “here”.
There are a million different angles this post could take but, I will try to keep myself on track. I will stay focused on the Hollis family.
Todd (Dad), Anne (Mom), Noah (biggest brother), Caleb (other big brother), Alina (oldest daughter living with Down Syndrome) and Meg (youngest daughter living with Down Syndrome).
One of Anne’s facebook links really opened my eyes for me this month.
It said, “I don’t think the worst thing that could happen to me is raising a child with special needs. I think the worst thing is to raise a child who is cruel to those with special needs.”
The Hollis home was vandalized 6 months ago and the criminals have not yet been captured. (PSA: If you know anything, please contact the Elmwood Police Dept). The vandalism was cruel, hateful and personal. The town rallied and stepped up to support the Hollis family. However, most people really didn’t know what to do or say (and that is OK too). I am gonna let you know what is one big thing that you can do at the bottom of this post.
It really makes me wonder where the ignorance and prejudice starts in people. I’m not pointing fingers or placing blame but there are key points that I have determined just in my own limited experience.
The Ramirez family and Hollis family have been friends for a long time. At least 7 years I would guess. Our kids are comfortable around each other and love to play together. When the vandalism took place, I had to explain to my 2 oldest ( 10 & 8 ) what Down Syndrome was. They have known Meg since she was born and Alina since she was brought home. They have never seen them as “different” from any other child. I am proud to say that they saw them as Meg and Alina. I am sad to say that I am the one that had to explain why others might see them as being different and the cruelness that can accompany that.
Meg and Alina both attend preschool. I can tell you that I have witnessed first hand that NONE of the kids in their preschool class see them as “different”. NOT A ONE. They are just like any other preschoolers. They play, they write their letters, they listen to stories, they play with their friends, the do their “jobs”, eat snacks, hang up their backpacks, etc…
So where do they ever learn that people with special needs are “different”?
Chew on that one for a while and let it stick in your brain as you watch what you say and how it influences those around you.
Now… cheerful thoughts as we look at some of the pictures. Family is all about loving one another and teaching our children to do the same. Can’t you feel the love here?
Big families are just CRAZY!
Love the light and sun flare pouring in here!
Decided to grab a couple of shots of just Anne and Todd since that never happens once kids come along. If you look closely, you can see that “someone” decided this picture was STILL not going to be one of just Mom and Dad
Life is easier when you’ve got someone to lean on and walk with path with you. Anne, you look smoking hawt…
So share the love, love one another, don’t worry be happy…. all that warm and fuzzy stuff.
Truthfully though, all of us are wonderfully and purposefully made. Teach your children to see the beauty in everyone. Scratch that… Let your kids continue to see the beauty in everyone. Nurture those natural instincts to not be prejudice. Don’t raise a cruel kid. Nobody wants their kids to be jerk-faces.
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I felt the need to come back and post an addendum. I don’t want people thinking that I live in a magical world where we eat jelly beans and ride on unicorns who poop rainbows. I am not implying that our children will grow up seeing everyone the same and not take notices in people’s differences. Of course that is not true. What is true is that we have great influence over how our children perceive differences in people or react to differences.
I’m not even talking just about Down Syndrome. Gabi is Mexican, Tony is African American, Angie is Asian, Shelly wears glasses, Charlie has red hair, Sam’s parents are divorced, Lola’s mom can’t buy her the expensive jeans, Mr Jones down the street is lost his right arm in the war, Mrs Smith uses a wheelchair…… All these things are “differences” that our children will be exposed to. Raise them well, teach them to embrace other’s individuality and love them for who they are.
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