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Why I Don't Always Mention My Daughter Has Down Syndrome

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A cartoon depiction of a child and a man with a ginger colored beard kept popping up on Instagram. I didn’t understand what it meant or who it was until I saw the video today of a little boy touching Prince Harry’s beard.

What I noticed first about their interaction — what my heart is full of and what I want to spread — is love! The little boy, like my daughter, has Down syndrome.

Yet the second thing I noticed is there is no mention of this precious child having Down syndrome. The interaction between the two of them wasn’t about a diagnosis or a title. To me, it represents what this child and Prince Harry have in their hearts and who they are.

When it comes to my daughter, Savannah, I have struggled with whether to mention Down syndrome or not. Sometimes I do, sometimes I don’t. I don’t want to talk so much about Down syndrome that I attract more attention to the diagnosis than Savannah herself. Yes, I want to advocate for Savannah and those who have disabilities. I want to educate those that know nothing about Down syndrome (like I used to be). I also want to encourage others who have recently received a diagnosis and being to them the person I once needed.

The purpose of my blog posts and Instagram feed posts is to show the diverse family we have. Real life stuff that is a part of our journey. We just have a little something extra that is a part of our journey.

Even though Down syndrome is what Savannah has, it isn’t who she is, and it’s not what our family is. I pray our journey and our lives reflect the love of God and the beauty depicted in this cartoon, whether Down syndrome is mentioned or not.

FOLLOW THIS JOURNEY ON LADY POSITIVE AND ON INSTAGRAM.

Originally published: October 19, 2018
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