Earstou
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Feb 18, 2003
- Messages
- 2,004
There was a sweet letter to the editor in our local paper yesterday.Thought I would share it with you!
"Five years ago, we welcomed a beautiful daughter with Down Syndrome. We felt blessed and had the typical mixed emotions when learning that our child had special needs.
Among the millions of questions racing through my mind was, how will others treat her?
I have my answer. Countless times complete strangers have said "hello" and conversed with our daughter. Recently, a woman we didn't know held our daughter on her lap and spoke with her. The grocery store staff offers high fives. A gentleman gave her a religious medal while in a store recently.
It's as if everyone knows our secret; we are graced with a child who has a gift of spreading love and joy. She is one of God's children and will teach us all many life lessons.
Yet the amazing part is people are seeing her for who she is. They don't let her disability get in the way.
Through TARC, our parent network, gifted therapists at our school district and Topeka ENT, the staff at Prince of Peace Preschool and great doctors, our daughter has received an incredible start.
There are Down Syndrome adults working within their communities, going to college, working as personal trainers, musicians, motivational speakers and more. Most of them did not have the early intervention options available now. Ultimately, it sets the bar higher. We are so pleased to be able to have high aspirations for our daughter.
In the years to come, she will still welcome everyone in; and we will be beaming with pride that we have a daughter who touches lives in a community that is so accepting.
Although her road ahead may not always be easy, or absent some stubbornness, we can always count on her to say or share with someone, "I love you, Sweetheart."
Thank you, countless strangers, and those who are no longer strangers, for your kindness, compassion and acceptance."
"Five years ago, we welcomed a beautiful daughter with Down Syndrome. We felt blessed and had the typical mixed emotions when learning that our child had special needs.
Among the millions of questions racing through my mind was, how will others treat her?
I have my answer. Countless times complete strangers have said "hello" and conversed with our daughter. Recently, a woman we didn't know held our daughter on her lap and spoke with her. The grocery store staff offers high fives. A gentleman gave her a religious medal while in a store recently.
It's as if everyone knows our secret; we are graced with a child who has a gift of spreading love and joy. She is one of God's children and will teach us all many life lessons.
Yet the amazing part is people are seeing her for who she is. They don't let her disability get in the way.
Through TARC, our parent network, gifted therapists at our school district and Topeka ENT, the staff at Prince of Peace Preschool and great doctors, our daughter has received an incredible start.
There are Down Syndrome adults working within their communities, going to college, working as personal trainers, musicians, motivational speakers and more. Most of them did not have the early intervention options available now. Ultimately, it sets the bar higher. We are so pleased to be able to have high aspirations for our daughter.
In the years to come, she will still welcome everyone in; and we will be beaming with pride that we have a daughter who touches lives in a community that is so accepting.
Although her road ahead may not always be easy, or absent some stubbornness, we can always count on her to say or share with someone, "I love you, Sweetheart."
Thank you, countless strangers, and those who are no longer strangers, for your kindness, compassion and acceptance."
