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Probably more than 99 percent of the time I write about my 5-year-old son, I treat him as if he’s perfectly, well, normal.
And that’s because he is. He squabbles with his little brother. He adores going to school. He loves to swim and run and play at the playground. He’s learning to read. He can be a sweetheart, and he can be a bit of a brat — just like any other kid.
Some days, though ... some days are made for celebrating the differences. And Saturday is one of them.
On Saturday morning, the Family & Friends Down Syndrome Association of Niagara will hold its annual Buddy Walk as part of the Lewiston Peach Festival parade.
Dozens of people with Down Syndrome (like my older son) and the people who love them (like me and the rest of our family) will march in the procession, waving and cheering and handing out candy and balloons and trying our hardest to show the world that kids (and adults) with Down Syndrome can be really great people who are capable of many things.
This is our normal. It’s not a tragedy. It’s not something to shy away from, or to pretend it doesn’t exist. It’s just something to deal with, like myriad other things in life.
I used to be at a loss for words when someone responded, “Oh, I’m sorry,” when learning Jim has Down Syndrome. Today, I just say what I’m thinking, “Oh, we’re not. He’s a great kid.”
Does he have challenges? Sure. So does every child. You deal. You live your life. And you meet those challenges head on.
Sometimes — like Saturday — you even have fun with them.
Later this month, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sept. 25, we’ll also participate in the Wheels Around the Park event at Coca Cola Field in Buffalo.
That event is organized by the Down Syndrome Parent Group of Western New York, and also celebrates the lives of those with the syndrome. Participants walk or wheel around the park (bicycles, strollers, wagons or wheelchairs) and activities include games, music, lunch and door prize drawings.
We are all different. And some of us are different in different ways. And that can be a good thing.
If you’re at the parade Saturday, give us a wave. I can’t guarantee Jim will wave back. He might be pushing his brother, or chattering to his grandpa, or trying to swipe some candy, or any number of other little-boy things.
But I’ll tell you this: All those people walking with him, whether they have Down Syndrome or love someone with it dearly, will appreciate it.
I know I will.
Jill Keppeler is a page designer and columnist for the Tonawanda News. She can be reached at jill.keppeler@tonawanda-news.com.
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KEPPELER: Celebrating the differences
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