A few years ago the tabloids went crazy because it was presumed that Brad and Angelina’s twins had Down Syndrome. Horrors!
I will always remember standing in the check-out line at the grocery store. Rachel was a little bitty thing, sitting in the cart. As most of us typically do, I was scanning the tabloid and magazine headlines while I waited. The headline literally read in huge capital letters…
T R A G E D Y!
Underneath was a picture of Bradgelina holding their twins – faces very fuzzy – with the subtitle: twins may have Down Syndrome.
My heart literally ached. I wrapped my arms around my daughter, pulled her close, held her and kissed her head. Then whispered into her little ear…you are not a tragedy.
You are a gift.
Folks — there are real tragedies in this world. Having Down Syndrome is not one of them. Being a parent of a child with Down Syndrome is the total opposite of tragedy. It is a blessing. Congratulate us. Celebrate for us. We are the lucky ones.