See the Ability

Here it is!  The photomontage video put together by the Canadian Down Syndrome Society.  We sent in a photo of Jack with Jasmine, Levi and two friends.  It is so amazing to see other kids and young people with Down Syndrome living active and engaged lives.

My favourite quote from the video and from a young man who has Down Syndrome.  Maybe you recognize him.  We see his handsome face many times a day as we travel home and to work.  His photo is on several bill boards along the highway between Orillia and Barrie, Ontario.

"We should See the Ability of everybody regardless of what they can do or how they look or what others think." - Nicholas Popowich

Such a wise and inspiring young man.  You can read more about him at Voices At The TAble (VATTA) a blog written by a group of young advocates for people with Down Syndrome.  Something else Nicolas said in his blog post really resounded with me.  He wrote: "Abilities are abilities…abilities get past obstacles.  A person with Down syndrome can get past obstacles in life." 

Watching Jack be an amazing communicator despite the challenge to express himself verbally, I see just how right Nicolas is.  It gives me hope that one day Jack will be just as articulate and aware of what is important in life as these young people are.

I know that my life is richer with Jack in it and God has used him to help me see the world in a whole new way.

Happy Down Syndrome Day!