My granddaughter Remi

Down Syndrome Awareness Month Entry, submit your story here.
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My granddaughter, Remi, was born on August 15, 21.

She’s been such a blessing. My daughter has given permission to share what she wrote…

Why do I overshare Remi Jean, my daughter with Down Syndrome, with you?
To teach, to advocate, to bring awareness,
To fix ignorance,
To cancel segregation in schools,
To recognize inclusion and equal access when you see it,
To notice and reach out to children and adults with down syndrome in public and not be afraid to start a conversation,
To not be so scared of a prenatal diagnosis and to be welcomed into the Down syndrome community,
To see all people with Down syndrome as real humans with equal rights,
To recognize that you don’t deserve an award for being friends with or helping people with Down syndrome that’s not what it’s about,
To realize that this world revolves because of diversity and differences,
To remember that it’s beautiful and unique to have down syndrome,
To not expect a child with down syndrome to be able to do what a typically developing child can do during the same time period,
To share with you that it’s OK to “look” like someone has down syndrome; it is beautiful,
To remind you that we aren’t exploiting our children with down syndrome on the internet, we are creating awareness,
To attempt to fix the school system regarding education for all admin, teachers, and staff surrounding Down syndrome,

AND

To make YOU uncomfortable UNTIL you accept the reality, see the real similarities, and find beauty in the differences and varied abilities of a person with Down Syndrome.
That’s why I share my daughter’s diagnosis.