A Letter to My Daughter on World Down Syndrome Day

Dear Rumi,

When I first learned that you were coming to be part of our family, I was so excited. I started to daydream about the little girl you would be. The games we would play, the fun we would have, the wonders you would discover.

But then I learned something about you and it made me scared. Doesn’t that sound silly? A grown up being scared of a little baby?

But I was scared because I didn’t know anything about Down syndrome.

I started to make up stories in my head. Scary stories about how smart you would be. Or if anyone would understand you when you spoke. Or whether you would ever live a life independent of me and your mom.

But I didn’t actually know anything.

The stories were just that; Fabrications based on fear. It’s something people do a lot of unfortunately, and it causes us to make bad decisions.

But then you were born.

On the living room floor. It was an accident. We thought we had lots of time before we needed to go to the hospital. We didn’t.

And suddenly you were here and not just a story in my imagination. You were just a sweet, little baby. And I wasn’t scared of you at all. Because it’s kind of silly for a grown up to be afraid of a baby.

But I was still scared of Down syndrome.

But the more time I spent with you, holding you, playing with you, letting you fall asleep on my chest. And the more time I spent meeting other children with Down syndrome and talking to their parents, the less and less scared I became about the kind of person you would be and the kind of life you would live.

Because I started to see You and not just Down syndrome.

And you’re cute, and silly, and playful, and cranky, and stubborn, and kind and smart…And I’m confident that you will be able to do anything you set your mind to.

Now, when I daydream about the kind of woman you’ll become, I daydream about how happy things. The kind of dreams all parents have for their children. Because you are just like those other children.

Yes, I still worry about some things, I can’t help it. It’s just what parents do.

My wish for you today, on World Down Syndrome Day, is that the rest of the world sees you the same way I do.

Because Down syndrome isn’t who you are, and it never was.

Just keep growing and learning and being yourself. And I’m going to keep learning too, and together we’ll show the world that while there are lots of things to be worried about these days Down syndrome isn’t one of them.

I am so grateful that you are a part of our family.

Love, Daddy