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Friday, July 20, 2012

Let the Hate Motivate


I try to pay attention to my Facebook News Feed to keep up with my friends and yesterday came across a horrible comment that was sent to a friend, author of the blog: Noah's Dad.  

"With modern medicine there are really no good reasons to bring a person with debilitating chromosomal abnormalities (like your son) into the world."

I don't want to give a platform to an ignorant person like this or perpetuate the hate. I just wanted to speak to a few facts about Down Syndrome and  profess my PRIDE at being a parent of a child with Down Syndrome. 

* Down Syndrome is NOT a debilitating chromosomal abnormality. People with Down Syndrome live happy and productive lives when given the support they need, unique to their situation, just like everyone else.

* There is screening available for Down Syndrome and I opted NOT to take the tests. For one they are horribly inaccurate and there was also no reason or signs that there were any "issue" with my son. I did not need to take the test because regardless of the result I LOVED my baby and I felt that was a GREAT reason to bring my child into this world.


When Blake was first born I had an irrational fear that people would judge, hate on him and hurt him for his perceived differences. I'm sure in some way all mothers have this fear for their children as we all know kids get picked on, called names and hurt by others regardless of the amount of chromosomes they have.  

I wonder now who it is that defines what "Normal" is? Down Syndrome has been part of the human condition since the beginning of time, for a reason. Perhaps people with "chromosomal abnormalities" are here as teachers? Teaching us all to take a look at ourselves. To notice when we do that none of us are perfect.

Blake has taught me more about myself  and those around me than I could have ever imagined. For this I will be eternally grateful to his "chromosomal abnormality". 


I'm always astonished at the fact that any grown adult feels the need to gossip about, make derogatory comments and essentially hate on a beautiful baby like Noah or Blake. It speaks only to their character (or the lack thereof) rather than the ignorant comments themselves.


In life I have found the more successful and happy one truly is the more haters seem to be at your door. Let their hate motivate and not dissuade you from being yourself or following your goals and dreams. I know it won't stop my son Blake. The world is wide open to him and his success will be based on his desire, hard work and perseverance and not on the opinions and judgements of others.




Every individual matters. Every individual has a role to play. Every individual makes a difference. -Jane Goodall

10 comments:

  1. Great post! I agree whole heartily.

    My hope is that all of our voices (and blogs) can unite and help the world put away inaccurate stereotypes.

    Thanks for all you do, and I glad to be on this journey with you! :)

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  2. This post breaks my heart; people can be so cruel. Please know that is is only due to ignorance that people can write that crap. They're jealous of the love that each beautiful child brings to the world.

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  3. It breaks mine too Michele. I cannot fathom what would possess someone to think this let alone actually take the time to send it to someone. Sadly there are many like this person in society. The best protection I can give my son is making him proud of himself. Hopefully enabling him to celebrate and embrace his "differences" and not feel ashamed of them. It is a good lesson to us all! xoxo We need to keep the dialogue open to combat this kind of hate. Haters have a voice, but my voice is LOUDER :)

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  4. Wow seriously??? Why anyone would say such a thing is beyond me but you being the person you are handled that with the style and grace that has made you the a great person and a great mom to all your kids and Blake is a child a precious child not an admoralitie! Your right let hate motivate!! Motivate us to be better people and rise above all those that choose to keep there heads in the sand and try to take people with them.

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  5. Keep advocating. You're doing a fantastic job. And I can't believe how big Blake is now!

    The NDSC convention was last weekend. Do you know about it? So much information and fun. Next year is in Denver. Consider it?

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  6. Thanks so much! I am happy to be a voice for the DS community and this is only the beginning of my journey! Blake is SO big and a really great boy!! I would LOVE to come to the convention. Please post the link to the info about it. XOXOXO

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  7. GREAT POST!!!!!!! My 6 year old has DS and I couldn't agree more with your post. Thank you for your well-said post! :)

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  8. Thank You Michelle!! xoxo I intend to be a LOUD and outspoken mother on this issue of equality, inclusion, acceptance and RESPECT! xoxox Thanks for reading and taking the time to comment! LG

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  9. They will most likely update this link in October so that folks can start making hotel reservations: http://convention.ndsccenter.org
    You can learn more about the one that just took place at that page now.

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