"For we are [all] God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do" (Ephesians 2:10).
What is Down syndrome?
A medical definition would be: Down syndrome is a condition when a person is born with a full or partial copy of the 21st chromosome, resulting in 47 chromosomes in each cell, rather than the typical number of 46 chromosomes. There are 3 types of Down syndrome- translocation, mosaicism, and trisomy 21. Trisomy 21 is the most common type of Down syndrome. With trisomy 21, every cell in the body has an extra 21st chromosome.
There are certain common characteristics that SOME people with Down syndrome may have (such as almond shaped eyes, flat profile/face, single crease on the palm, shorter fingers, etc). There are also some common challenges that SOME people with Down syndrome may have (such as expressive language).
Recently, I spoke at our school about Down syndrome. I took an ECE course about special needs. I have researched A LOT about Down syndrome, yet as we are navigating these waters, I still ask myself, "What is Down syndrome"?
To me, I see our son as simply our precious son.
A little boy who loves to play games.
A little boy who loves to play sports.
A little boy who loves to try new things and amazes us EVERY day with his accomplishments!
A little boy who likes to act silly (sometimes too silly)
A little boy who loves to laugh and is often very content. But, also a little boy who gets easily angered (and flicks his shoe off of his feet over the balcony at church). A little boy who gets sad, scared, hurt, and who experiences every other emotion.
A little boy who loves to do crafts and colour or draw
A little boy who loves his siblings
A little boy who loves his parents
A little boy who loves to play, have fun, and explore.
A little boy who is extremely tactile (especially in church with long hair from women sitting infant of us in church!!)
A little boy who is so loving and forgiving.
A little boy who is so gifted in so many areas.
A little boy who is created in God's image.
A little boy who has taught us so much and has blessed us in so many ways.
A little boy who is so full of love.
He may have special needs, various delays, and some common characteristics of someone with Down syndrome, but that is not what defines who he is; that is just part of who he is- our precious son!
