Misunderstanding

My heart is so saddened by the story in the link below.. I strongly encourage you to read it before you continue on reading this blog post.

Special Needs Abuse Must Stop

You may not know this about me, but I have a huge heart when it comes to Down Syndrome. God really placed it on my heart to pursue a career in working with Down Syndrome students in some way or another (not completely sure exactly what I want to do yet), and I am thrilled to have the opportunity to do so. I was able to work with Down Syndrome students at my high school, and that time changed my life forever.

(Abbey and me my senior year of high school)

But every single day my heart is so broken by the way people with Down Syndrome are viewed, treated, and misjudged. 

I was born with green/blue eyes, blond hair (the limit amount I had at the time), but I was also born 7 weeks early at 4 pounds 3 ounces as my mother's amniotic fluid had dried and I was suffocating. Looking at me now, you would never know that I was so close to death, born with an undeveloped liver and jaundice. But when you see someone with Down Syndrome, all you see is their physical differences. And let me tell you right now, don't ever call their physical differences abnormalities or defects, because that is not what they are. They are extremely beautiful, and unique. People with Down Syndrome are born with an extra chromosome. They have a third copy of chromosome 21. Yes, the 3rd copy is a chromosomal abnormality, but their physical features are not. 

I can tell you what else people with Down Syndrome are born with- 

They are born with huge hearts full of love, laughter, and life. 

I can honestly say that every person I have ever met with Down Syndrome I have instantly loved. In fact, some of my friends with Down Syndrome are some of the most amazing, genuine, funny, kind, and inspiring people I've ever met. They value life to the fullest. They and their families are truly inspiring.

(Photo of the extra chromosome)

Down Syndrome should not be viewed as a problem, but rather an inspiration. No, no one would ever wish it upon someone, but it is not a curse, or something to be sad about. Don't be sad for them, be inspired by them. They are beautiful in so many ways, and I have thoroughly enjoyed working with them and I look forward to the many years to come. They overcome obstacles that you and I couldn't even dream of enduring. They fight every single day to prove to the world that they are worthy. And let me tell you right now, they are most definitely worthy. They are strong.

We need to stop looking at them with wondering eyes, and feeling sorry for them and their families, and thinking they're weird.... and we sure as heck need to stop calling them mentally retarded or associating them with the word retarded. In fact, FORGET THE WORD RETARDED EXISTS. Our society has placed such a negative connotation on the word retarded, and it's a downright shame that people use it in such a disrespectful, ignorant manner. It is ignorant, it's as simple as that, and I am so stinking sick of hearing it all the time. People use the word retarded to describe things that are stupid, silly, goofy, dumb, etc.. but that is not what that word means. But now that people use it that way, it has made it an insult. So instead of using that word to describe those things, how about just use the words silly, stupid, dumb, goofy, or just stinking buy a dictionary or thesaurus and educate yourself.

Stop making fun of them. It's not funny, it's not cool, and it makes you look ignorant and stupid. If you were the different one, would you want people going around mocking you and your uniqueness like it was a joke? No. I'm pretty sure you wouldn't. They don't deserve it! They are smart, they really are. They have an unlimited capacity to love, and if you gave them the chance, I'm positive they would prove it to you. Stop treating them like a joke, and start treating them like a blessing. Because that's what they are... a blessing. To all of us. 

People with Down Syndrome should not be pitied. They are smart, they are hard workers, they love unconditionally, they are beautiful, they are kind, they are dedicated, they are talented, they are funny, they are honest, and most importantly, THEY ARE HUMAN. And God loves them just the same as He loves you and me. Down Syndrome is a mental disability, but it is not that they lack anything, it's that they've gained an extra chromosome. We need to stop looking at them like they are strange, but acknowledge and love the fact that they are different. They are special, and honestly, I genuinely enjoy hanging out with them and being friends with them. They have the same feelings we have. Just because they have a mental disability doesn't mean that they don't feel. Sure, some things take a little bit longer for them to learn, but that doesn't make them stupid, it just means they have to work a little harder than we do. And when you call them stupid, it is downright disrespectful. They feel the same way as you do, and I know if I sat here and called you all kinds of mean names, you would be hurt too. They still work towards the same goal that we do- fulfilling their dreams. 

The ignorance has to stop. The abuse has to stop. The sheer lack of respect has to stop. If you are with me, please go to www.r-word.org and sign the pledge to stop using the word "retarded," and follow through with that pledge. And if you don't understand why it's offensive, hurtful, and disrespectful to use that word, please read this beautiful letter by John Franklin Stephens, a Special Olympics athlete and an advocate for the r-word campaign. John's Letter

(This is John)

It's time that we do something. They do not deserve to be treated the way so many people treat them. They deserve to be celebrated, because they are stinking awesome! They are beautiful humans who should inspire us all to work as hard as they work every day, because it is truly incredible the obstacles they overcome. So stop pitying them, stop feeling sorry for them, stop disrespecting them and love them. Support them. Befriend them. 

That is my tangent for the night. I hope you enjoyed it and I hope you truly take it to heart and stand up for them the way I am asking you to. March 21st is Global Down Syndrome Day, please join the fight to educate people around the world with me.
To donate to the cause, you can go to National Down Syndrome Society or you can go to Pinmart and purchase awareness products such as keychains, lanyards, shirts, and bracelets.

Friends, I am asking you to join with me and join with every person with Down Syndrome in stopping the unwarranted abuse and ignorance around the world.

LJ

Revelation

Whoooey- it's been a long time since I've blogged! I've really missed it!

Well, I saw an interesting photo on Facebook the other day that really got me thinking.

I love how this photo says "be brave enough," because bravery isn't always associated with relationships. Thinking about this really made me realize how amazing some of my friends are, and the contrary for others.

I am so thankful for my amazing friends. The past few years my circle of friends has changed and grown, but there are a few that will always be a part of that circle. Emily Dickinson once wrote, "My friends are my estate." Friends are a foundation of life... they are irreplaceable, and I have some of the best!

I know I have written a post talking about my friends, but I just have to go back and remind them how incredible they are and how thankful I am to have them, because they are honestly the most incredible friends anyone could ever dream of.

Crystal Lohr and I have been friends since my 7th grade year. She has been such a healthy influence in my life and I honestly don't know what I would do without her. She is seriously such an amazing woman and I look up to her in a lot of ways.

Allie Dean, Marlee Tegenkamp, and Ryan Courier were my first best friends in high school, and they remain my best friends today. All 3 of them helped shape who I have become and were amazing influences on me in high school. I always used to joke that Ryan and Marlee "took me under their wings" when I was a freshman and made those first two years of high school such a blast! Allie Dean and I have such a weird, but awesome relationship. We both rely on each other for so many things- we are each other's "reality check" in the hard times, a shoulder to cry on, and the first person each other texts when something exciting happens. Through high school she led me spiritually in a lot of ways that helped mold the faithfulness I have now. She was a great role model for me in high school, and I'm so thankful for everything she has done for me. To this day I can meet up with all 4 of these girls and it feels like no time has passed at all! I have a feeling it will be that way forever. 

My first year of college was seriously SO much fun. I absolutely loved living with Emily, Kramer, and Steph. We all got along so well and I love all 3 of them. Last night I got to hang out with them, and I ended up staying at Kramer's until like 2am talking with her and Steph. We talked about everything imaginable, and it was seriously the best therapy there is. There's nothing like some major girl talk :) I genuinely believe that God brought Kramer in my life as my roommate for so many reasons, and it's amazing because we are both each other's rock. It's really hard to explain, but we both came to college in very similar positions and we grew together and it was perfect to have each other there. Even now we struggle with the same things and get excited about the same things and it's great to have a partner in crime :) I seriously couldn't ask for a better best friend and I know that she will be another one like the ones before that I will be friends with forever. And the same goes for Steph and Emily as well. We've all even talked about how every 5 years we will have to have some sort of reunion and we even have our own Facebook group just for the 4 of us where we talk and stuff! It's a genuinely special relationship I have with those women and I wouldn't trade it for the world.

It's truly inspiring to me that I have such strong relationships with so many amazing women. They are all wonderful influences in my life and I wouldn't know what to do without them! They are all the kind of friends that I can always be myself around and I know they won't judge me, or talk behind my back, or treat me badly... they always support me and love me and are the greatest friends I could ask for. 

And as far as Jordan goes, there's absolutely nothing in the entire world that could ever make me question what an amazing friend he is. He is my go-to guy, the person who tells me it's going to be okay when I feel like everything is falling apart, the one who reminds me every day of how amazing I am and how beautiful I am and how much he loves me, he is the one who celebrates my victories with me- no matter how big or small. He is an amazing man and I wouldn't trade him for the world. 

There are quite a few other friends from the past few years that have been wonderful additions to my life, and y'all know who you are! I just don't have enough time or space to write about so many people!  So thank you to all of you for being so wonderful and being great friends to me. I love you.

It's hard to accept the fact that not all "friends" are going to be like them. There are always going to be people who are going to gossip about me, who will unfairly judge me, who are going to try and hurt me, who will try and make me feel bad about myself, but they can't control me. If I let them weigh me down, I'm losing out on so much in life. Eleanor Roosevelt once said 

"No one can make you feel inferior without your consent." 

That is such a powerful quote, as it really is painfully true. So many times people have this negative affect on us, making us feel inferior, and we let them. But confidence shouldn't come from what others think about you, it should come directly from your confidence within. God loves you no matter what, especially no matter what other people think. God's opinion and your opinion of yourself are what matter- not anyone else's. I am proud of the woman I have become, and I know God loves me just the way I am, and I am never going to let other people make me forget that. Because if I do, I lose myself, and if I lose myself, I have nothing. If people want to spend their time talking about me and my life, let them! That's their own problem- not mine! If they want to judge me and make me feel bad about who I am, that's just going to make me want to be me even more! Because I know that they don't matter. I have amazing friends who love me for who I am and support me in everything I do; I have a miraculous, incredible, perfect God who will always love me, always support me, always believe in me, always forgive me for my mistakes, and always be there for me. I have a wonderful family who will always love me and always support me and never judge me for my mistakes, but pray for me to learn from them and grow from them and be there for me when it's hard. I have the kind of support system that I could only dream of! It's wonderful, and I wouldn't ever want to trade any of them for anything in the whole world. 

It's time for our society to stop living to impress other people, but rather live to please our Lord. I just find it funny that it's so easy for other people to get under our skin when, in the end, only the Holy Spirit inside us can tell us when we've sinned or done something wrong. No one else should have the power to make us feel inferior. I don't want to live to please other people, I want to live for God and please Him in everything I do. And if my friends and family really love me (which I know they do), they will support me in everything I do as long as I'm doing it for God and for myself- not to please anyone else.

Thank you to everyone in my life who has supported me, loved me, and influenced me over the past 20 years. I love you all SO much, and I can never thank you enough for everything you've all done for me. 

Well, it sure does feel good to blog again and get my thoughts off my chest! 

Have a smashing week.

LJ