Call me naive, oblivious or just a mom that loves her daughter, but when I look at Molly…I don’t even notice she has Down syndrome. For some reason, it always surprises me when strangers approach us in public to share their connection with Down syndrome. (I told you I’m naive, remember?).
Each day when I pick up Maggie from preschool, the teachers are always so excited to see Molly. I started wondering if they knew she had Down syndrome. I don’t know why I find it a little scary to share the news with strangers, I guess it’s more that I’m scared of how they might react. So today, when Maggie’s teacher asked how old Molly was, I took that as my lead to tell her more about Molly.
Maggie’s teacher was amazing in her response after I told her the news. She hugged me and asked if I was open to the idea of Molly starting school there too one day. I told her it was our hopes to have her integrated into a typical learning environment and she practically begged me to let Molly go to school there. She said she would be honored to have Molly in her classroom. She went on to tell me that she felt it was important for children to realize that not everyone was alike…but that we are all the same.
Can you believe it?! What an awesome response of hearing a child had special needs! I was practically in tears by the time I got back to the car. Of course, I never expected her to have a negative response…but when you hear something this positive, it’s a fantastic feeling knowing that your daughter is being welcome with open arms.
Even though Molly has a few years before school starts for her… I can’t wait for Miss Mary to play an even bigger part in Molly’s life, just as she’s doing right now with Maggie.
Comments
Pam King
That’s so awesome! YAY for Miss Mary and that pre-school!
Carrie with Children
Thanks, Pam! I’m excited we’ve found a great place!
Cindy
Hi Carrie – We met at the media event at PRSA – I work at Mayo. What a great post! I was getting emotional reading it! You’re right… it’s wonderful that people don’t notice differences but it’s even more special when they acknowledge the uniqueness of each child.
And in my world – with an adopted daughter – there is no difference. Adopted, biological? Downs syndrome? Non-downs syndrome? Who cares? THEY ARE OUR DAUGHTERS! 😉
Carrie with Children
Hi Cindy – Thanks so much for reading! I absolutely LOVE your comment. You are exactly right …they are our daughters and that’s all that matters! 🙂
Heather
That’s so lovely, Carrie. I think we all feel a bit of fear in the back of our minds that our children won’t be accepted, so it’s awesome when someone is so open and loving towards our child. I’m like you – I sometimes am surprised when people notice…. Incidentally, my daughter’s preschool experience in a typical learning environment has been one of the best experiences we’ve had. Molly will do great there too, I’m sure!
Carrie with Children
Thanks for reading, Heather. It’s such an awesome feeling when someone responds with open arms! I’m so glad to hear that your daughter’s preschool has been a success! I’m already excited (but not rushing) for Molly to start school there too!
Cam Brown
Anyone who wouldn’t adore Molly is not someone any of us would want to know anyway. So they don’t count!
Carrie with Children
Amen, Cam! 🙂
Mary McLean
So happy Miss Mary was so comfortable and accepting with Molly. Some people find it awkward bringing up the subject of DS. Hope she continues to teach there until Molly can benefit from her acceptance. Our Molly will fit right in with the other kids!
Carrie with Children
She is a really great lady! She’s taught there for over 20 years, so I’m sure she’ll still be there when Molly starts school too!
Sonita Lewis
This post made me smile with a tear in my eye. IT’s so good to hear positive things when so much in our world is negative. Thanks for sharing.
Carrie with Children
I appreciate you reading, Sonita! Your note means a lot to me!
JAM
I think if you alway keep a positive attitude, those around you will see that and that positivity will shine back at you! Molly is darling!
Carrie with Children
You are exactly right – what a great point! Thanks for reading!
Not a Perfect Mom
When I was preggers with Brooke and we knew she had DS we shared with my kids preschool teachers-since they knew something was up with me and with all my kids I’d known them for years already…
They were the first support system I had, Brooke wasn’t even here yet and they were so excited for her to be here and pleaded with me to let her go to preschool there and not the public school preschool…they already love her, just like my other kids…
Carrie with Children
What a fantastic support system! It sounds like your kids are in a fantastic preschool too! Brooke is a lucky girl to have so many that love her!
Melissa
What a wonderful post! I’m so glad Maggie has such a wonderful teacher and she is in your life now!
Carrie with Children
Thanks, Melissa! I’m so glad we’ve found a fantastic school!
ClassyMommy
Beautiful post and beautiful wonderful news for sweet Molly that soon she’ll be having Maggie’s teacher too. Always love your blog. xo
Carrie with Children
Thank you so much! I’m excited for Molly…and for Maggie too! Miss Mary is a great teacher! xoxo
Becky
That’s great, Carrie! She’s going to be so far ahead of things having loving supportive friends, family and school teachers.
Carrie with Children
Thanks Becky!
Leah Brown
Hey Carrie,
My friend referenced your blog, and so I was reading some of your entries. This one caught my attention and I was just smiling to myself b/c I used to not understand how my brother Jeffery looked any different from anyone else. He was just Jeffery, you know? 🙂 Oh, but how he’s changed my life! From the time he entered my life, I was ruined for the average and mundane – truly my life has been an adventure with him as part of it. Even though I live thousands of miles away from him now, I just feel like he’s a part of me always.
Leah
Carrie with Children
Hi Leah –
Thank you so much for reading! I’m so glad you enjoyed my posts. I totally know what you mean… our Molly is just Molly. 🙂 I can tell you are very proud of your brother!