This week we’re going to be covering a topic that has grown dear to my heart. You know, I’ll admit, I’ve not been the most aware or socially savvy person when it comes to this subject. It took reading the birth experience of an online friend of mine for me to really consider what went on. I watched from the very distant sidelines as she and her family welcomed their sixth precious child into their arms. Just a few days later, they found out Finn had Down Syndrome.
I watched and waited. I had no idea what to think or expect–and I wasn’t even the one going through it. But it’s the closest I’ve come to understanding the inner-workings of this condition and how it affects the family. I only know what I know about the Morguess family from what Lisa has chosen to share on her blog and on facebook, but I can tell you, this family has touched me.
The Morguess Family
From this family, I’ve learned:
Children with specific needs are not “Special needs kids”.
The “R” word is offensive in every case. EVERY case.
Children with Down Syndrome are not “Downs kids”.
The “R” word is offensive in every case. EVERY case.
Children with Down Syndrome do not “suffer with Downs”.
The “R” word is offensive in every case. EVERY case.
Every child has individual abilities–even children with Down Syndrome–that doesn’t make them “disabled”. You disable a screaming smoke detector after you burn the bacon. You disable a malfunctioning toy by taking out the batteries. You disable machinery before messing around with parts and electricity. A child is not disabled.
In fact, freedictionary.com says:
disable vb (tr)
Nicholas Crumley and his brother, John Michael
.
Nic Crumley, will also be joining us to educate us on their experiences in a family where one has Down Syndrome. Kevin and Nic will talk about what makes them feel defensive, what they worry about for their younger siblings, how their families have been changed, how they speak out and what they want you to know about themselves, their families and their brothers.
This is a show you won’t want to miss–one you shouldn’t miss.
In the meantime, I recommend you check out this article in The Huffington Post in which another teen tackles the potency of the “R” word.
Do you know differently abled students from school? Do you avoid them because you’re confused? Join us Thursday at 10PM EST at www.choicesradio.com to find out everything you need to know. You can call in with your questions for Kevin or Nic to 877-864-4869, and the show will be available for download at that address or on iTunes by Friday morning.
I love this post. My sisters and I grew up with a genetic medical condition that had us picked on and ridiculed by both the medical community and our own relatives. As a result, we’re a very close, loving bunch.
People comment on how kind we are and it’s because when you’ve encountered that much hatred you only have two options: hate back or love back. Hate accomplished nothing. Love changes everything. So we choose to love.
Thanks so much, Debra! I’m so glad you and your family are so close, but such a shame it came about for those reasons.
You’re so right about the choice to hate or love.
It’s all about choices!
[...] O’Dell is discussing The R Word on her blog today. I wanted to share my thoughts on this because I know it’s hard to be [...]
Hello
Great post! Some great thoughts
Michelle Dennis Evans recently posted..These really caught my attention