Last Sunday, after the church service
While having an hour to rest before my guitar practice
I decided to have lunch under a tree
On my way, I felt a pair of eyes following me
Looking back, I was met with a beautiful smile
Of course, I changed my direction and said Hi
Sat on the bench he was sitting on

I realized my new friend was quiet
And had some unique facial features
Slanted eyes, short neck, flat head, flattened nose
His ears were so distinct
His cheeky smile was accompanied by sparky eyes
He told me his name was Trisomy 21 and he was 24
And immediately, I realized
My new friend is an adult and not a child

Some ladies who were sitting behind us were chatting
I heard them telling a woman how unlucky she was
They said she had a man-in-a-baby’s-body son
But when they mentioned her only advantage
I was so shocked at their foolishness
They said she had a son who is always happy
They simply thought that was the reason for his smiles

And trust me, I gave them a short lecture
On who Trisomy 21 really is
He is a human person just like me
With an extra chromosome which makes him extraordinary
His chromosome 21 has 3 copies instead of 2
Making his total chromosome number 47 instead of 46
This is why his name is Trisomy 21
Trisomy 21 is a full person with a wide range of emotions.

He is not always happy as people think.
He also gets angry, scared, sad, anxious…
Just like every other person
But he suppresses his emotions frequently.
He wants to see others happy always and does not want to be an object of concern.
He is so different and smart in unusual ways
And one of his special gifts which I noticed

Is “GETTING UP WHEN HE’S DOWN”.
He does it with ease and efficiency
Trisomy 21 is full of life
He brings a light so bright
It illuminates the darkest places
It amazes me how a person with down syndrome doesn’t even like to be down.

© christcares