More alike than different

October is National Down syndrome Awareness month.  People living with Down syndrome are more alike than different than those not living with Ds.


People with Down syndrome have the EXACT SAME 46 chromosomes as those who do not have Ds!  They just have one extra, an extra 21st chromosome.


People with Ds can learn all the same things in school and life as people who do not have DS, just in their own time...like everyone else!


People with Ds can and do: graduate, drive, go to college, live alone, hold down a job, marry, have children, retire, and live to a ripe old age just like people who do not have Ds.


People with Ds can also have Autism, Leukemia, Alzheimers or anything else that people who do not have Ds can have. So, if you see someone with Down syndrome who has severe symptoms, they may have another medical diagnosis in addition to Down syndrome.


People with Ds are not always happy.  Nobody is!


People with Ds are regular people living with a medical diagnosis that has symptoms that may need to be cared for and worked through.


People with Ds hurt when they are made fun of.  Don't do it!


People with Ds can develop strong, life-long relationships.  I've been friends with Andrea for over 40 years.  She has Ds, I do not.


People with Ds can love our Heavenly Father and give their heart to Him!


People with Ds can do anything God leads them to do...just like those people who do not have Ds.


People with Ds can and do grow up and don't always believe in Santa, the Tooth Fairy or the Easter Bunny!


People with Ds may face mental or physical challenges in their lives, just like those who do not have Ds.


I could go on and on with example after example of how people living with Down syndrome are more alike than different than those who do not have Ds.  Basically, we are all human beings, made perfectly by our Father God.  We should all honor and accept that we are unique individuals with our own set of challenges and abilities.