Oliver and Bee - Living Life With An Extra-Ordinary Chromosome

When we are out and about what do you see? I see a baby looking at me. You stare, you whisper and give a faint smile, It's something I notice from as far as a mile. I hear your words as clear as day, I couldn't do it, you will say. You ramble about someone you knew, "Down Syndrome is given to the lucky few." To which I nod and give a smirk, I can see you are sorry and starting to lurk. I share my story of how he became, You tell me I'm special for playing this game. My eyes roll for I've heard it before, I'm just another mother you've met at the store. We are no different, me and you, Mothers with children both of us two. We both have a Journey, unique and its own, The difference you see is what we have known. Just look and you'll see people all around, Different faces, colours, all shapes and sounds. We've grown to judge by what we see, I strive to show you how he has changed me. ...

Oh what I wish I had said. Hey you, Cashier at Big W, yes you. You know the new mum with the diagnosis of Down syndrome for her baby? Yeh her. She doesnt want to hear about your negative encounters with people with disabilities, particularly down syndrome. Or how you once had a conversation with a lady about how she couldn't understand why people would interact with "retards" or how they "have no future" or that they are "disgusting." Did you think this story would make a mother feel at ease? Did you think it would make her excited for her childs future and the bullying you so openly find appropriate. Yes my child has down syndrome, like many other people that have varying differences, and this does NOT mean they are a burden to this world because of it. Nor does it give people permission to say such foul and hurtful things. People like you are a burden to this society, not people like my son, not those of us that are kind, and loving...