3-21

3 copies of the 21st chromosome.  Today is World Down Syndrome Awareness Day.

What a great opportunity to take a few minutes and learn something new about Down syndrome, or hang out with someone you know who has Down syndrome, or even donate some of your time or money to an organization that supports Down syndrome.

Tonight we are excited to go to an event that is being hosted by our local Down syndrome association.  As we have slowly started integrating ourselves into the Down syndrome community, we have been so blessed by the wonderful connections and relationships that have been forming.  I can truly say that I am looking forward to this event, and that I look forward to the friendships we will continue to make.  I have come a long way from where I was last summer.

I leave you today with an essay that Emma wrote yesterday, in honor of this day.  And also a little sneak peek from the photo shoot Braxton was a part of for a calendar that will be sold for next year.

Braxton is different than other babies, because he has Down syndrome.  He doesn't grow very fast.  It is kind of neat that he has Down syndrome, because I like that he doesn't grow very fast.  Sometimes I wish that he could learn new things, but then I remember that he has learned a lot of things.  I want to help him learn things.

You can't tell that someone has Down syndrome by looking at them, because all people look different.

I want people to be nice to Braxton and not be mean to him.  I wish that I can always be around to help him.

Some people have 46 chromosomes, and some have 47.  I don't think it's good or bad, because all people are different.

Emma, age 8

photo credit