21 reasons I love my kid with Down syndrome

Three years ago, I wrote an article called, ‘21 reasons why I love my baby with Down syndrome’, that was inspired by my daughter, Elyse.

Well, my baby is growing up — she’s not a baby any more — and, once again in her honour, I have created a new list that reflects how Elyse has grown, and matured, as well as my love for her. So here goes:

1) She loves going to French school. When we walk there every day, I’m the one who has trouble saying goodbye.

2) She has blossomed in her role as a big sister. She picks up dropped toys, and sings to her baby sister to soothe her. She also loves holding her on her lap, though she sometimes covers the baby’s mouth when she cries — oops.

3) She places a great deal of importance on family. When one parent isn’t around, she asks about them. She does the same thing with her sisters. She misses whoever is absent, and likes when our family is together.

4) Pizza is her favourite food. Enough said.

5) She’s fiercely independent when she wants to be. As I reach down to help with her shoes, she nudges my hand away and gives me a meaningful look, reminding me of all she’s capable of with a bit more time.

6) Her glasses. She slides them up the bridge of her nose with one tiny finger when they slip down. They make her look so grown up, and sophisticated.

7) She sees through people. When I’m feeling impatient or frustrated, she sees through me, and with a word, “mommy”, or a gesture — her small arms hugging my leg — she reminds me, as St. Benedict once put it, ‘to listen with the ear of the heart’ to truly hear what is important.

8) She clears her dishes, without prompting.

9) That look of pride on her face when she uses the toilet, and hearing her shout the words, “I had a pee, daddy!” She makes us proud.

10) She puts stereotypes to shame. She is an inspiration to others, and is learning a second language.

11) Her individuality shines through. Her preschool teacher said, “The other kids like to play with Elyse because she has a kind and gentle manner about her, not because she has special needs.” A gentle reminder to see the child.

12) She is a master imitator, which frequently annoys her big sister who insists, “Stop copying me, Elyse!” much to my amusement. She never stops learning.

13) Those times when she looks hurt and broken, and her cries are full of anguish, because my love for her never falters.

14) She shares all of her candy with her big sister — except the Smarties.

15) She feeds off others’ energy, and is becoming an empathetic person. She is happiest when her sisters are happy, and over-the-moon when the three of them are giggling together.

16) Her appreciation for music, which she expresses through her entire body. And watching her run, stomp, twirl, and kick both feet up in the air (imitating her big sister’s handstands). She moves to her own rhythm.

17) She’s a girl who knows what she likes, and what she doesn’t; and isn’t afraid to say “no” (over, and over …)

18) She’s better at navigating an iPad than most adults, and, truth be told, she taught herself all the letters of the alphabet using the Sesame Street app (thank you, Elmo).

19) She embodies the spirit of life, and highlights what is best about our shared humanity. As Alex Sneddon, a speaker with Down syndrome, once said, “I know that my soul is not disabled.”

20) Her emotion is real. She isn’t afraid of what other people think of her, and she is present in the moment.

21) I could come up with a hundred more reasons why I love my child with Down syndrome, but what first comes to mind, what matters to me most, is that she is my daughter (as well as a granddaughter, niece, big sister, little sister, student, dancer, wonderful human being) — and I wouldn’t change her.

Down syndrome is a different genetic arrangement that is characterized by a tripling of the 21st chromosome, which is why I have composed twenty-one reasons. World Down syndrome Day is celebrated on March 21 every year.