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Tuesday, January 28, 2014

Keep Calm...

Meet Isaac.
 
 
Isaac is a freshman. He plays the drums in band, he loves playing the Wii, bowling is one of his favorite things to do, and he absolutely loves McDonald's and meatloaf. A few of his talents are picking on his siblings, being loud and rowdy, terrorizing pets with incessant "lovies", and getting frustrated with his computer games...he is just a normal, fun loving, and at times annoying, teenage brother.
 
Yes. I did just say normal.
 
Isaac was born with an extra 21st chromosome and the diagnosis of trisomy 21, or more commonly known as Down Syndrome. I suppose some of you would have thought to put this paragraph first. You are the reason I am writing this. Isaac is not just another Down Syndrome boy. He is a person just like you, yet he is often defined by what he looks like and the mental retardation that comes with down syndrome.
 
There is a difference between being defined by something or being judged for it. I am judged for the way I look, as is most everyone. Isaac is defined by the way he looks. I am judged for the way I speak in front of others. He is defined by the way he speaks. Down syndrome is a major part of who Isaac is, but it is not a definition of his character.
 
When people only look as far as his face all they see is down syndrome. They see different, unusual, mentally challenged. To those unfamiliar with it, it is a big sign saying "not normal."  However, if those same people took the time to look past his disability they would see much more. Friendly, curious, caring. They would see a boy who prays for his unborn niece and the health and safety of those around him. Innocent, fun-loving. They would see a little boy grown into a big ol' teenager who holds the door open for others and helps the elderly out of their vehicles at church. The simple label of "down syndrome" could not have even begun to tell you all that.
 
 
On the other side, many people have said to my mom, "Oh, I just love them. They are always so happy!" And all those with children that happen to have downs say HA HA HA. Yes, it is true that friendliness, smiles and hugs seem to be contained in that extra chromosome, but it is also true that they are still humans. They have more than one emotion. They can be confused, loving, angry, lost, hurt, happy...because they are normal. Do not treat them as though their problems and worries are inconsequential.
 
Chris Burke, an actor and singer with down syndrome, said "Having down syndrome is like being born normal. I am just like you and you are just like me. We are all born in different ways, that is the way I can describe it. I have a normal life." And he is right. We are all born into preexisting situations and some of us just have bigger difficulties to overcome. As my uncle has pointed out before, when you are in a room with Isaac it sometimes feels as though you are the one with the disability. He has an innumerable gang of "naginary" friends surrounding him, and although we may have no idea what he is talking about, he does. He has an entire existence that we could never hope to understand and an imagination to rival the greatest writers.
 
He is not hindered in what really matters. Love, family, fun...he excels in these things. Restaurant owners, cheerleaders, homecoming queens and kings, band members, actors, singers...they CAN do it. We just have to give them a chance to shine instead of sticking them into the box of our preconceived judgments. They were born with designer genes that were made to shine and teach us a bit about unconditional love, kindness, and determination. Those genes were not meant to define what they can or cannot do, who they can or cannot become...
 
 
They are individuals with hopes and dreams. So the next time you see someone rockin' an extra chromosome, take a step forward. Introduce yourself and look past everything "different" about them.

 
Keep calm...it's just an extra chromosome.