World Down Syndrome Day: Why I Am Confident About the Future

I met a man with Down Syndrome.
He loved his wife so.

I met a woman with Down Syndrome.
She loves her job, goes eagerly every morning.

I met a teen with Down Syndrome.
Who demanded I respect him as a growing adult.

I met a little boy with Down Syndrome.
Who wanted to grow up and be a fireman.

I met a little girl with Down Syndrome.
She wanted to steal Diego from Dora.

I was with a man with Down Syndrome,
who marched in the Gay Pride parade.

I was with a woman with Down Syndrome,
who worked in a machine shop, helping to size lumber.

I was with a teenager with Down Syndrome,
as he confronted his parents about his relationship with his girlfriend.

I was with a child with Down Syndrome,
who pushed away my helping hand.

I have also met people who think that Down Syndrome
means tragedy.

I have talked with people who pity parents of kids with Down Syndrome,
they think, and say, that it's a curse of the family.

The difference between me and them?

I have met people with Down Syndrome.

I have spent time with people with Down Syndrome.

Bigotry.

And bias.

Need distance.

Bigotry,

And bias.

Can't withstand the assault of a handshake and a cup of coffee.

People with Down Syndrome.

Change the world.

Day by day.

One handshake at a time.

One coffee at a time.

And because of this ... we'll win.