I wish I could go back in time to the day you were born. I knew so little about Down syndrome, and my negative disability attitudes made me feel scared about having a child with a disability.
We’ve helped each other learn and grow these last 12 years. It’s been an outstanding journey. So much goodness and light and love.
You take my breath away with how fully you love life.
You greet strangers as friends, calling them by name (because you ask every person what their name is).
You challenge stereotypes, and although I know some people overlook you, I never will. I can’t. Your beauty captivates me. Your love covers me. Your joy makes me enjoy life more deeply.
My role as your mother has evolved as you grow older. Even the things I advocated so passionately for when you were younger have changed as you grow and as I learn.
I hope you always feel proud of who you are, including your disability. You have an army behind you in the disability and Down syndrome community you belong to. A community I did not know before you were born, but one that is fierce and powerful and changing the world.
I find your community — the disability community — to be a great source of guidance and knowledge.
Their wisdom and insight has made me a better mom.
And you — you have pushed me to be better. To do better.
You are spendor and light. You are wind and rain and rolling thunder.
You are magnificent.
You are majestic.
You are my heart.
Happy birthday rascal. Te amo!
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