Reid was being awfully quiet playing in his room so I went in to check on him and this is what I found...Reid had this picture frame up to his little lips and he was kissing it. It melted my heart because the picture is actually of Luke and I when Luke was just 1 year old. Reid recognized us in the picture, or at least I'll indulge myself into thinking that, and so gave us some love! My little guy is like that...he is such a lovey and gives kisses all day whether it be me, a stuffed animal, a therapist, his own reflection...or a picture in a frame.I had a friend ask me the other day if Reid's sweet, loving disposition was Reid or was it the Down syndrome? My answer was it is Reid.
However, it is often said that individuals with Down syndrome are such loving, accepting and happy people with huge hearts. I heard that a lot when Reid was first born and I know it is a stereotype but you know what...it was comforting to hear that, and it still feels good to hear it. I appreciate their words, yet I know that each child is an individual and who knows Reid may end up being ornery as all get out :)...somehow I doubt it, but it will be fun to see him develop into his own little person. For now his limitless kisses, smiles, and giggles just tickle me and bring us so much joy!
But for research sake and for this Down syndrome Awareness post I searched the Internet to see if I could find anything to support the stereotypical statements. What I found, as you may have guessed, is that for more than a century the idea of particular personality/behavioural characteristics being associated with people with Down syndrome has been explored... but with inconclusive results.
My conclusive results...we are blessed by ALL of our children no matter what their temperament or personality because they are ours to love no matter what!
4 comments:
That is so lovely! Looks like Reid has a lot of love in him. But hey! Check out his mother!
And yes, I have heard the same comment as well. From people who don't know much about DS, and from some who should know better. I agree with you, it's nice to hear in a way, kind of comforting, yet the stereotype aspect of this irritates me so much!
As Cathal's Mammy put it in one of her post, her son is 50.5% Mammy + 50.5% Daddy = 101% perfect. And if that means he has inherited genes (from either family) of good humour and loving nature, or of stubborness and bad tamper, so be it, that is who he is.
What matters is that, right now Cathal is starting to show signs of affection, and my heart melts every time ;-)
He will wrap him around his little finger,... does already!
Adorable! I love the picture of him kissing the picture. Love it!
I couldn't of said it better Cheri. I think all of us that have a Ds child has heard the ole 'They are always so happy and loving'. I, too, agree that it is about each person as an individual. I know my typical son Jett is sooooooooooo lovable, but I also know that Presley smiles way more than Mikah and Jett did as a baby. She is CONSTANTLY smiling and after all she has had to endure thus far, to still have a smile so big and so beautiful, that is good stuff!
I can only imagine the swelling of your heart to see your Reid kissing the pic of you and Luke, that is so precious!!
That would have melted my heart too! How sweet to find him kissing that photo frame :)
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