Today I had a conversation with a new friend.  We shared a few things with each other about life and our expectations.  He shared with me his experience with his youngest son who is now 22 years old.  He told me about how he has introduced his some to the world of robotics and engineering as a child.  He was very proud to say that his son has chosen goals bolder than he had ever imagined.

When I explained to him some of my hopes for my children, I talked about how I wanted to inspire them.  I spoke about how their father and I are helping them to find their strengths.   We want to nurture their strengths.  I also mentioned my frustrations with people who have absolutely NO problem with assuming that Isaac has limitations.  I mentioned my frustration with teachers who totally ignore his gifts. I am not sure how much experience my new friend has with people with Down Syndrome.  I was hoping to connect with him as a parent and to perhaps discuss with him strategies for supporting and bringing out the best in your children.  Our conversation did not go as I had hoped because he could only think of a few words to say to me.

His words were, “He will have limitations.”…over and over he would say to me, “He will have limitations.

I couldn’t help but to think to myself, “Oh no!  Fooey!  I guess I’ve found another one

Two weeks ago, I went to Ft. Lauderdale for the first time.  I grew up in a place very close to an impressive amount of water.  While in Ft. Lauderdale, I stuck my toes into the Atlantic ocean.  The ocean is magnificent.  The sunrise that I witnessed was  stunning and glorious.  Today, when I was chatting with my new friend, I was taking my first 38-mile cross country bike ride.  The view was also no less stunning.  I was in awe of God and HIS unlimited power.

I have faced challenges in life, just like everyone else.  When things get particularly challenging, I don’t lean on my own strength and abilities.  I try to relax and follow God.  He IS the best offense and defense that I know.  And I am so grateful that He let’s me do just that.

People with Down Syndrome don’t have less.  They actually have an EXTRA chromosome.  I think that more energy should be spent in figuring out how this extra genetic material translates to extra special ABILITIES.

I think that when we only look at weaknesses, we not only limit people with Down Syndrome, we also limit our abilities as humans.  Let’s change that.