Monday, October 26, 2009

On awareness ...

October has been full of opportunities to raise awareness about domestic violence. Friend Natalie has done a lot on her site to promote awareness and has a couple of great giveaways you should enter by going HERE.

It is also Down syndrome awareness month!

My brother Sam is amazing. He is an artist and an athlete. He is smart and funny and he loves reading non-fiction. He struggles with math and he loves skiing and swimming. He wants to be a magician when he grows up. He's your average 13-year-old little brother. But sometimes he gets lonely. Kids in the neighborhood don't go out of their way to be mean, but they don't go out of their way to include him either. It's been years since the doorbell has rung with the request, "Can Sam come play?" I wish perceptions would change.

I like this article:"There are more than 400,000 people living with Down syndrome in the United States today; one in every 733 babies is born with Down syndrome. ... All people with Down syndrome experience cognitive delays, but the effect is usually mild to moderate and is not indicative of the many strengths and talents that each individual possesses."

I also LOVE this site. Please visit http://r-word.org and take the pledge to stop using the word "retard" and "retarded" in casual conversation. It's a simple step in raising your own awareness and making sure kids like Sam are given the same chance at contributing to society as their peers.

2 comments:

Cari said...

I can't believe Sam in already 13! He sounds like such a great kid, I wish I knew him.

Don't know if you have seen it, but John C. McGinley was on the Bonnie Hunt Show earlier this year talking about the "R" word. You should watch it. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PGvppz_OZbA

Its nice that the kids don't go out of their way to pick on him. I really like what Mr. McGinley says about kids with special needs and they way they love. He says the are equip to hug someone not hit someone because they love unconditionally. So, so, true.

Brooke said...

Cari -- Thanks for the link!!! Sam has that amazing ability to love people unconditionally and he is definitely a "hugger." =) He's turning into a really fun teenager and starting to get a little embarrassed by affection like a lot of boys do at that age, but I don't think he'll ever outgrow hugs!!