Day 2: Breaking Stereotypes

Harper doesn't know she is breaking stereotypes but she is doing it every single day. Let's take my job as an example. I'm the director at a child care center. We see up to 100 kids every day. Only one child has special needs. Harper. But she is loved by the teachers, classmates, older children, and even other parents. Obviously my staff are aware she has Ds and some of the parents have confirmation from me but that's it. Harper is loved at school because she is Harper. She is cute, talkative, and awfully cuddly.

The children who "love" Harper at school don't even realize they "love" a child with special needs. One day that will change. There will come a time where young friends and family will realize that Harper is different. They may shy away or they may continue to help break stereotypes and continue to treat Harper as they are now....the same as any other child.

The stereotype that constantly plays in my head is that "people with Ds are always happy." Today that was on a loop. Why? Because Harper was the farthest thing from happy today.

It would seem reasonable to insert a video of Harper being dramatic but technology is not on my side tonight. 

Before the dramatics

I don't live in la la land. I am fully aware that Harper can't get by on her good looks for the rest of her life. She has charmed the pants off of many people...Ds or not, the girls got spunk. But for now, I'll stay in la la land and enjoy the fact that strangers stop to see the pretty baby. Not staring because there is a girl with Down syndrome.

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For readers who visited my friend Allie's blog and read about her daughter's prenatal diagnosis with Trisomy 18....we are officially on baby watch. Allie and Juliet have reached the due date. They will allow nature to take it's course but if Jules isn't moving then Monday will be the day. Allie and her family are in my thoughts daily. Please keep her in yours.