(John Michael and Luke on a walk with Mom to Starbucks!)
Back in June, I posted about "Seeing Down syndrome" in John Michael. I do recognize he has features that are common in some people with Ds, but more than anything, I just see John Michael. It's the same with his local buddies as well as his cyber buddies that we've only come to know via blogs. I honestly don't see Ds in them. I mean, their features don't jump out at me and say, "Look, I have Ds." I don't mean to offend anyone here, and I realize I'm writing this in a totally awkward way that's not flowing, but here's what I mean...
Yesterday, Greta brought home a little booklet about how God made us all and the image shows a girl at the bottom of the page holding out her arms as if she's lifting the world and on the outside edge of the world are many different children from various parts of the world. Greta (age 5) says to me, "Mom, that girl has Down syndrome like John Michael." I looked at the girl and asked Greta to explain, because I didn't "see it". She said the girl's eyes were like John Michael's (meaning almond-shaped and the epicanthal folds under her eyes were noticeable). I still wasn't sure. I saw a beautiful, blond-haired girl with blue eyes and a big smile. I needed to get another opinion. I asked Anna, my 11 year old. "Oh, yeah, Mom, she totally has Ds." Really? And, finally, my husband, Doug, chimed in that he could tell by her "square smile" and her small thumbs (her fingers weren't visible).
(My view of JM on the way home... LOVE THAT SMILE!)
.JPG)
-1.jpg)
I am and I am only 2 months into the journey.
ReplyDeleteYes! I am following your blog and some of your (cyber) friend's blogs. And very often, I am no longer sure which one of the somtimes many children in the blogger's family actualy has down syndrome ; )
ReplyDeleteRahel (from Germany)
Oh....so true! It's really wild when that happens...and pretty cool!
ReplyDeleteOh yes, I have always had a very hard time seeing the Ds! I usually have to ask my kids or husband ;). It is easier for me to tell when I see the child walking around for some reason (the gait, I think). Also, it is a little easier for me to see the features in an adult. Babies...forget it. I just can't tell. LOL. Kris
ReplyDeleteTotally! I have been finding it harder and harder to spot them, and often second-guess myself when I initially think it. Like if I'm stalking someone in a store (LOL), I want to be *absolutely* certain before I go up and speak to their parents, and will give up if I can't be sure, which happens more and more often.
ReplyDeleteI get what your saying! I think that is where we should all be eventually.
ReplyDeleteWell, what has been happening with me is...I look at babies without ds and find them a little...boring. Isn't that weird?? I guess it's opposite of what you just posted, lol:) EVERY time I am on a new blog, my kids come up and say, "Oh, Mommy- does he/she have Down syndrome??" and if they don't- they run off to play. I think they are as drawn to ds as I am!
ReplyDeletePatti, I totally agree, too! There’s something so beautiful about babies with Ds… we find ourselves staring and being drawn in (in a good way). Sometimes with children, though, I just can’t tell. And my kids are the same way… my daughters WANT to hang out with JM’s little buddies. I never expected that to happen to my 11 yr old daughter who was really distraught when JM was born. So much has changed in such a short time…
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing!
P.S. We are especially smitten with John Michael:)
ReplyDeleteI couldn't agree more!!! I just don't see it anymore! i thought it was just me, I'm so glad you wrote this post!!!
ReplyDeleteOh yeah, totally!
ReplyDeleteSo funny you would write this, I was just thinking this the other day. I find I have to take a second look before I am sure if a child has Ds or not....and I love that, I love that I am there, where that is not the first thing I notice!
ReplyDeleteThat´s LOVE! It looks familier and dont feel strange or different to you!
ReplyDeleteI think it is the same when I say: My three Kids (one with DS)have a black Father,I am German...i don´t see that. If i look at them, I see THEM! So I don´t look at somebodys race (So sure if I start thinking about it, I recognize the person is black ;-) )
Just on a Photo it is often hard to see if the child have DS.
I don't see it either. And even with kids that I *know* have Ds, I sometimes can't see it. That's why I'm such a terrible Ds stalker, I just can't be sure. :)
ReplyDeleteMonica, this is so true! You are not alone! I am often taken by surprise when people ask me if Kamryn has Down syndrome! I will often say, "She does! How can you tell?" I don't always see it myself (most of the time)!
ReplyDeleteMiss you! Hope you and your family are well! xoxo Andrea