It matters how you say it.

Did you know that October is Down syndrome awareness month? I would like to take this opportunity to make you aware of a little thing we like to call .....

 

We would never say:

"This is my overweight friend Janet"
or
"And this is her cancer husband Bob"
 
So then why would we say:

"Jenny just adopted a Down syndrome baby"

or

"He has an HIV+ daughter"

I see well meaning articles with titles like these all the time:

"Coach makes special needs students feel like part of the team"

"Parents of Down Syndrome kids cherish special moments"

"Commercial features Down syndrome child"

 

Do you see the difference? When we say "Jenny adopted a baby who has Down syndrome" it shows that we realize first and foremost that he is a baby. He is a person. He is not Down syndrome. It doesn't define who he is! 

Hows about a handy little chart:

 

What you said	What you should have said
Down syndrome babies are usually laid back	Babies with Down syndrome are usually laid back
I have a Down syndrome uncle	I have an uncle who has Down syndrome
My cousin is Downs	My cousin has Down syndrome
Is he Downs?	(just don’t)

 

Here is the bottom line: we aren't going to all get it right every time. Let's all have some grace for each other, because I don't even get this right all the time! It is a learning process to re-train your brain. But people are important, and we should have respect for the fact that each and every one of us is a fearfully and wonderfully made child of the KING!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thanks for letting me share,