A letter to Jesus from Jr

The following is a letter written by Wayne Dunlap. Wayne’s son, Jr, was born with Down syndrome and is non-verbal. Recently, Wayne stated that teachers, bus drivers, and therapists have been reporting negative feedback about his son. Wayne knew his son better than anyone else and wanted to help raise his voice through this letter. “I needed to express his feelings because I know my son. I want to clarify he did not write this letter, but this is how I feel as his father that we would write it if he could,”– Wayne Dunlap, Jr’s Father.

Dear Jesus, it’s great to talk to someone that listens to me patiently. I have a lot to say most of the time, but it feels like no one wants to listen or cares. First, I want to say Thank you for giving me an extra chromosome. It seems like you loved me so much that you just wanted to add an extra just for me. 

Some people in this world might look down on me but you never do. You know my potential. In their head, they might call me names or feel sorry for me and maybe even call me a mistake or say I shouldn’t have been born.

I know that is wrong because you don’t make mistakes. I am beautifully made just the way you wanted.

I have to admit sometimes I get frustrated because I can’t talk with my voice like everyone around me. I have so much to say, but I just can’t say it, so I make noises, cry or act out. This gets the attention of my siblings and my parents, so I know it works. My parents are taking me to classes for speech therapy and occupational therapy so I can be on my own one day although I think they realize I will always be with them even when I am an adult. 

Recently, I have been acting out at school with my teachers. I don’t know why they can’t understand this is normal for a 10-year-old boy, but since I have down syndrome, autism, and speech apraxia it just means I have to work harder to communicate. They are getting frustrated and they keep sending notes home to my parents complaining about me. I don’t want to act out. I would like to be a model student like the others, but I just want to be heard. 

Sometimes I have dreams about speaking. I often think what will it be like in Heaven when I can talk normally. It will be amazing to have a one-on-one conversation with my parents. I can tell them with my voice I love them and thank them for all they do for me. I can’t wait for that day. 

In conclusion, I just wanted to voice some of the things on my mind to the only person that can understand them. It feels better to get these thoughts off my chest. Someone once said there is no such thing as darkness. Darkness is only the absence of light. I will try to be a light to everyone in my life.