Down Syndrome Awareness Month

By Kim Knight, DSAA Board Member and mom to Max

I will admit, I have been a little slack this year on the Awareness Month. I will have to up my game for 3.21 (World Down Syndrome Day, March 21). Why do so many of us post about our kids with Down syndrome? It is just that; it is awareness. How many of us were brought up around children with disabilities? I was not. I have worked in different schools for 18 years and I never had a student with DS at my school. Why? Because of some antiquated beliefs that still impact our kids today.

As a mom, I feel obligated to share what my child can do so others too can change antiquated beliefs and see his capability rather than assume the opposite. I do so that the world or my small world can know he is really just an 8 year boy who loves basketball, school, swimming and of course video games and you tube.

Is awareness enough? It is a start, but it is not enough. We all need to step outside our boxes and move to acceptance.

What does that mean? I’ll give you a few examples…

• Awareness is knowing you have a classmate with a disability.
  Acceptance is inviting them to hang out with you, to play after school at your house or an invite to a birthday party.

• Awareness is simply realizing someone has a disability.
  Acceptance is making real conversation with them. Not just staring. Asking their name or what is their favorite animal or sport.

• Awareness is seeing someone with a disability do something you might not expect.
  Acceptance is telling them they’re cool, encourage them or work together with them.

• Awareness is saying you have a friend with a disability or go to school or work with someone with a disability.
  Acceptance is really being a good friend, coworker, or classmate to them.

• Awareness is appreciating the gifts and challenges of those with different skills.
  Acceptance is volunteering your time to help, or to calm or to assist or to just have fun with them.

• Awareness agrees with these statements.
  Acceptance is putting the effort to do them and make a difference, to make someone feel loved and wanted.

• Awareness doesn’t involve doing anything different.
  Acceptance is acting, encouraging, befriending, loving and learning.

While it’s good to have Awareness, we must strive to accept and EMPOWER all children and adults of all abilities. We all have strengths, challenges, and gifts to share.

Thank you to Sara Van Deurzen for the examples. Edited to fit our story.