National Down Syndrome Awareness

In honor of National Down Syndrome Awareness month, I have read a book to expand my knowledge and grow as an understanding and accepting human being. 

I read A Good and Perfect Gift by Amy Julia Becker this past week and fell in love all over again.  It happens often with books and recently I have been on a Down Syndrome, Autism, Aspergers Disease book kick.  I am intrigued about how those with a special diagnosis live daily life, along with how their parents and loved ones have grown through the experience and continue to grow daily.  The science is interesting, but the human behavior and emotions captivate me.  Bloom: Finding Beauty in the Unexpected by Kelle Hampton brought me to tears, laughter and complete awe in a different way than A Good and Perfect Gift did.  I blogged about Bloom here.  I think that is the lesson here.  Everyone is special, unique and different.  There are many goods and rights in this world.  There is no need to limit ourselves from experiencing all that everyone has to offer.  Be open and you will be loved. 

 

 

Here are some quotes from A Good and Perfect Gift by Amy Julia Becker that stood out to me and made me think a bit more about life, acceptance, understanding differences, having a healthy perspective...

“Blessing to not have known ahead of time…”

 

“Had I known, I would have prepared for Down Syndrome.  Instead, I prepared for Penny.  I prepared for a child, a family, a gift, not a condition, a syndrome or a problem.”  Pg 71

 

“Different doesn’t mean less then.”  Pg 79

 

“When you have a child, you find your heart is beating in someone else’s body.” Pg 85

 

“It’s the thought that she might teach me to slow down, to love deeply, to compute less, to live more freely – those are the stories that bring hope.”  Pg 131

 

“[…] her extra chromosome is not only associated with delays and impairments.  It is also associated with sweetness, joy, wonder, patience and love.”  Pg 152

Much love.