October Is Down Syndrome Awareness Month!
Since October is “Down Syndrome month”, and I have a beautiful smart little girl child with Down Syndrome I decided to write about my daughter, Zoha. I call it “UP Syndrome” though, as those children are so high in their values and morals. Children with Down Syndrome have the best manners on earth. I thought I should share with you what I have learned from having my little girl.
The Story About My Down syndrome Child!
If you have missed my post about Zoha’s birth with Down Syndrome you can see it here.
Okay, here is what my daughter taught me so far, and she is only 6 years old right now.
1- Be Thankful And Count Your blessings
The first thing I have learned from having her is to be “Thankful”. That little girl has been through a lot, but she’s always very calm and happy. You can always see a beautiful smile on her face like the most content person on earth. Thankfulness brings you closer to God as well, as He always likes to test us with different tasks in life. Once you become thankful to God, then immediately you learn to count your blessings in life. Life doesn’t give anyone a second chance, no matter how high a position you hold in life. You only get one chance from life, so be thankful with what you have, and count your blessings. People with Down Syndrome are the most gracious people on earth.
2- A Down Syndrome Child Knows To Love
This little girl has taught me how to love unconditionally. Her extra chromosome didn’t mess up her ability to love. Instead, it gave me an extra sense of ” how to love unconditionally”. I quite often think how God made her full of love. If someone ever gets hurt in the house, she is the first one to run over and make sure if the person is okay. She is so appreciative and full of manners. Her love is all about giving!
3- A Down Syndrome Child Can TeachYou patience
She taught me how to be patient with life. It’s okay to have some delays, life doesn’t get complicated or stop if things don’t move at the pace you want to. It still keeps going, you just have to get used to it. There is nothing impossible in this world, and the word “impossible” itself tells you that “I’m possible”. Just learn to be patient, and everything will go along.
There is a verse of the Quran, where God says. ” Indeed, God is with those who have patience”.
4- Emphatic
I have been very sympathetic toward others since childhood. That’s how my parents raised us, but after having my daughter, I feel like I can understand other people better and connect with others to support people the way I wanted to be supported with anything in life. I feel like I just became a better person, and humanity is even more important for me. This verse from the Quran always helps me. “Indeed, Allah (God) is with the patient.”
5- How To Overcome On Hardships
I live my life by a quote, ” life is tough, but I am tougher”. I always thought I can do anything in life and be successful if I want to if God is willing. After working hard on any task, I leave it on God. Zoha has gone through so many surgeries and so many hardships but that little girl is always happy. I barely see here complaining over things (unless her brother steals away something she really likes). Those two are the best siblings. Her positive and strong attitude, in fact, has taught me a lesson that you can overcome anything in life, you just have to work through it.
6- A Down Syndrome Child Is Always Sincere And Pure
Children with Down Syndrome are the most sincere people on earth. They don’t think negative, they are so close to God and so innocent. Their life is full of positivity and sincerity. They don’t have time for all that negativity on earth. These children are best friends to have. Down Syndrome doesn’t make them less smart than anyone. They are, in fact, extraordinarily smart and don’t waste their time and life on things that don’t benefit anyone.
7- A Down Syndrome Child Would Be Determined
The other thing I have learned from Zoha, or Zoha inherited from me, is determination. Zoha is one determined girl. She won’t give up no matter what it is! My little girl thinks she can do it. She might get frustrated, but she won’t give up, though.
8- Down Syndrome Children Are More Alike Than Different
The beauty of this world is to be different. If we all would have been the same, life would have become tough and boring. Hence, God made everyone slightly different, and kids with Down Syndrome are more alike than different.
9- Advocacy
I can absolutely raise my voice for those who don’t have a strong voice. There is no embarrassed to have a child with a so-called “word disability”, as my Zoha is capable of doing everything. Not only I can help others but can speak up for my little girl wherever we need to get her rights to be answered.
10- Possibilities Are Endless
I think of Zoha’s future as I think of my other two kids future. I think she would grow up and maybe going in the fashion industry, as she is a little fashionista. In fact, once I took Zoha to see her endocrinologist for her regular visit and her doctor brought me an article and said, “Look, this girl with Down Syndrome is a fashion designer, and your Zoha could be the next one as she has such a great sense of fashion!”. She found that article and printed it for us. It was so nice of Dr. Conner. We moved away, and we miss her.
11- Slow And Steady Wins The Race
I know it might take a little longer for my Zoha to get where I want to see her but she would get there for sure because only slow and steady wins the race. Zoha is not behind anyone.
12- Closer To My Faith
The greater change I saw in me is that I become closer to God and each day becoming a better practicing Muslim. I always think Zoha is a such a great present God gave us. I call her a “passport to Heaven”. God must have loved me in that he gave me Zoha.
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