Day 2 of 31 for T21 :)

Don't dis-my sons'-abilities. Yes, my boys do have disabilities, but lets not forget they are people FIRST.

They are Joseph, one half of a twinset, my "middle-ish" child, the one that truly changed it all. My husband's firstborn son. Much loved baby brother to our oldest son. Our gentle spirit, our cuddle-bug born with Down syndrome.

Our son is Jadon, our Ukrainian prince, the baby of the family, much loved by his big brothers, the one we traveled across the ocean to bring home to our family. He is our wild-child, he knows no fear, his determination is amazing and his stubborn streak is worse  stronger than mine and he too was born with Down syndrome.

Jared wears glasses. I don't call him Glasses Jared.

Joseph has Down syndrome. We do not call him a "Down syndrome child".

Jackson talks incessantly....we do call him Chatty-Jacky ;)

Jadon has no fear....we call him Evel Knievel ;)

No, really, in all seriousness, if you had a life changing disability or illness like cancer (heaven forbid) I would never call you Parapalegic Polly, Quad Quincy,  Polio Paul, or Cancer Carl. Right? Of course not, that would be absurd!

Then, please, just remember not to address my boys that way. They are Joseph and Jadon, our two boys born with Down syndrome. Put them first when you speak of them or any individual with a disability by doing so you VALIDATE who THEY ARE as a person. Validation makes all the difference and we all want it--even my boys born with disabilities.



love,

 

 "I will go before you and will level the mountains; I will break down gates of bronze and cut through bars of iron. I will give you hidden treasures, riches stored in secret places, so that you may know that I am the LORD, the God of Israel, who summons you by name." Isaiah 45:2-3 (NIV)