I am overweight and self conscious, but I am learning to wholeheartedly accept myself and I celebrate every pound I lose with increased self esteem and love.
It could be worse. I could be ugly. Or stupid. Or both.
Don’t pity my appearance.
I am a “one weekend a month mom” to my son. I miss out on a great deal of his life, due to distance. But I cherish and make the absolute most out of every. single. moment. we share.
Our distance has not dampened our bond nor negatively impacted our relationship. We have conversations the majority of teenagers would never dream of having with their parent.
Don’t pity my “noncustodial parent” label, it doesn’t make me less his mother.
My daughter sports an extra chromosome. She can be slow, difficult to understand and more “complex” to care for and educate.
Had she been born “normal” she would not be my child. Down syndrome won’t kill her. She doesn’t spend her life sitting in a corner rocking.
She can read, write, draw and laugh. She goes to school. She loves to swim. She is artistic and creative. Nobody has ever wished they had never been born because they have Down syndrome.
Life isn’t always easy for her, but she does just fine without your pity, and so do I.
I am not a Down syndrome mom. I am a mom who happens to have a child with Down syndrome.
Big deal.
I have met amazing people, worked with a wide range of exceptional children and had experiences I would never have had because of Down syndrome.
Don’t pity my role as a special needs parent. All children have needs. All parents are special.
My wife and I cannot legally marry. We are not afforded the same rights as our heterosexual counterparts. Our children are not as safe. Simply loving one another causes others to hate.
And yet, we have a committed relationship built on love, trust, communication and dedication. I never question her love for or acceptance of me. I never worry about her lying, cheating or disrespecting me. Ever.
Don’t pity my gayness. I may not have chosen this path, but I wouldn’t change it for the world.
Live without Pretending
Love without Depending
Listen without Defending
Speak without Offending
-author unknown
Don’t pity me, there is no cause for it.
Obligatory post photo (that has nothing to do with this post.)
Great post and timely for me. I have adopted 3 of the best kids but having one with a head injury and autistic symptom but is not autistic. I have many times when people do not understand what is going on with my child and instead of asking a simple question like what should I do they get nervous and usually say or do the wrong thing. I have met many kids with Downs Syndrome and they are they most loving and giving kids I have ever met. My kids have taught me more life lesson in 6 years than I learned in the 40 previous years.
Excellent, excellent post. I never want anyone to say “I’m sorry” when they find out about my daughter’s extra chromosome. There is absolutely no reason for pity. I am fine, my daughter is perfect.
I was shopping, shortly before leaving to pick up Baby J. Someone asked me if I was expecting a baby. I said yes, she was born and waiting for me to go get her. I explained she had Down syndrome and was told, \”OH. I\’m so sorry.\” I looked at the woman and said, \”Why? Why are you sorry?\” She just mumbled and wished me good luck as she walked away.