Meet Sam, he has Down syndrome

Hi everyone! It’s Down Syndrome Awareness Month, and Sam, who has Down syndrome, would love to share some cool info with you! Have you ever wondered what Down syndrome is? It’s not something you can catch like a cold or flu. It’s something Sam was born with, and he’ll always have it. It’s just a part of who he is, kind of like how some of us have brown hair and others have blonde.

Let’s take a look around the classroom for a second. What do you see? I bet you notice that all your classmates are a little different from each other. For example:

• Some of us have different colors of hair and eyes.
• Some of us are tall, and some of us are shorter.
• Some of us run really fast, while others are better at reading or solving puzzles.
• Some of us are outgoing and talk to everyone, while others might be quieter or a little shy.

Even though we’re all different, we still have fun together, right? We still learn and play together, and that’s because being different is totally okay! That’s what makes each of us unique.

Now here’s something interesting: our bodies are made up of tiny parts called cells. These cells are so small you can only see them with a microscope. Inside each cell, there are even tinier parts called chromosomes. Most people have 46 chromosomes in each of their cells. You get 23 from your mom and 23 from your dad. But Sam has 47 chromosomes! People with Down syndrome have an extra copy of chromosome number 21. It’s like having a special bonus piece of the puzzle that makes Sam who he is. He was born with this, and it’s part of him.

This extra chromosome makes Sam a little different in some ways. For example, his eyes are almond-shaped, his nose might look flatter, and his ears are a little smaller. Sam’s tongue might be a bit bigger, and his mouth is shaped differently, which can make it harder for him to talk clearly. But just because you might not always understand him at first doesn’t mean he doesn’t know what he’s talking about! He just has to work a little harder to say things.

Even though Sam has Down syndrome, he likes a lot of the same things you do! He loves music, playing games, and hanging out with his friends. He has feelings just like you. He gets happy when something fun happens, and he might feel sad if someone says something mean. He loves recess and sports, just like many of you, and he also likes laughing at silly jokes. Sam can do everything you do, but it might take him a little longer to learn some things. That’s okay, though, because everyone learns at their own pace.

And here’s something important to remember: It’s okay to notice that Sam is a little different. It’s totally fine to look and ask questions if you’re curious. We ask questions all the time in school when we want to learn more about something, right? The same goes for learning about Down syndrome. If you have questions, it’s okay to ask. It helps us understand each other better.

The most important thing to remember is that being different is what makes us all special. Imagine if everyone in the world looked exactly the same, liked the same things, and did the same activities. That would be so boring! Having friends who are different from you makes life more fun and exciting.

Sam, like everyone with Down syndrome, is just like you and me in many ways. We all have our own unique gifts, talents, and challenges. Some things might be harder for Sam, and some things might be easier for him, just like how each of you has things you’re really good at and things you have to work a little harder on. But that’s what makes us all special.

So, let’s be kind to each other and be good friends. Include others, even if they seem different because we’re all different in our own way. We don’t have to be exactly the same to enjoy spending time together, playing, or being friends. We’re all unique, and that’s what makes us beautiful!

We will also be reading “Different – A Great Thing to Be!” by Heather Avis as a follow-up.