World Down Syndrome Day, 2014

Tomorrow is World Down Syndrome Day to raise awareness. A few nights ago, I was talking to Adam and he said, "It's weird how your never advocate for something until it directly affects you." It's sad how true that is. I never knew there was a day to raise awareness of Down Syndrome. Nor did I know much about Down Syndrome until this little booger joined us, but tomorrow I will be proudly wearing my 3:21 shirt.

Why does WDSD exist? Why must we have a day to flood social media and "old school" media with information about Down Syndrome? Why must we raise awareness and what is the end goal?

To live in a world where people with Down Syndrome or any difference aren't different at all.

Where we can see people as the individuals that they are and not the disability they have.

Where an expectant mother can receive a Down Syndrome diagnosis for her baby and not be so frightened to consider the easy way out.

Where parents receiving a diagnosis at birth can still celebrate the joy of having a baby, instead of mourning the loss of what they expected.

Where every child is treated as a special human, not only those with a larger medical file.

So, although this is my first year celebrating World Down Syndrome Day, and I am still a newbie finding my way, I plan on celebrating. Yes - celebrating.

I am celebrating that I have two beautiful, healthy children.

I am celebrating my supportive, loving husband, who is the only person I could imagine navigating this journey with.

I am celebrating the countless families that we have already met and will meet.

And I am celebrating the new person that I feel like I have become. I have a new drive to work like hell to give my children everything that they need and deserve.

Hopefully, we can all become advocates for a few more things. Why not? Why must we wait until we are affected to work for social change? And isn't Lent a perfect time to make a change is our mindset, perceptions, and actions? I know one cause we can all start with...