For the past three weeks when I have taken Ruby to therapy there has been a lady there with her little boy ,who has Down syndrome ,and his big brother, who looks to be about 10 or 11.I always smile at this lady and I wish I could talk to her but she only speaks spanish and I can't.
Today I was sitting there in the office waiting to be called back for Ruby's appointment when I heard a voice say,"How old is she?" I looked up and the older boy was asking me about Ruby,I answered,"She's nine months," and smiled at him.He looked at Ruby and smiled a minute and then he said,"She's like my brother," and I said with a smile "Yes,she is.How old is your brother?" He answered that his brother was five years old. He smiled, said something to his mother and then went back to reading his book.
I don't know why but I have thought back to that brief exchange with that young boy all day.Just the tone of his voice and the way he looked at me,like we shared a special secret.It made me happy then and it makes me happy now and brings tears to my eyes ."She's like my brother."
11 comments:
Cheryl, I can see why that exchange touched you. I think one of the neat things about Ds is that the characteristic facial features makes it easier to recognize others . . . it's like they're all part of this special society or something :)
There is a bond with people who have family members with DS. You just "know". =0)
Awww what a sweet story, I'm glad the older brother was there so you could share a little~
Very touching story / exchange w/ the brother. I think siblings are some of the best advocates for our little ones.
So sweet! I love how we just bond so well with others that have some one with ds in their family, even for a moment.
I love that comment "she's like my brother"! very sweet! I am sure his mom appreciated whatever he went back and told her after talking to you, too! :)
Oh, wow. That's awesome. A beautiful exchange- thanks for sharing it. It is like we share some sort of a secret- I feel like we're part of an extended family. I know that not everyone feels that way but I do.
You DO share a special secret. We all get to be part of this very special club that sometimes outsiders just don't understand. We're so lucky! :)
I think there's something completely real when children speak to us. Gabe has a little friend from preschool named Jacob. Jacob "gets" Gabe. He knows there is something different about his friend but instead of stepping back from Gabe, he leans in forward. It really makes me wonder over the open heart of children and when does it begin close when we grow and sense differences? Jacob's mom once told me how Jacob had seen a boy, about Gabe's age, and with Down syndrome, at a local museum. He observed the boy for a while and then went to his mom, and said, "That boy is like Gabriel." Jacob just turned four years old. I think what is most poignant for me is that even though Jacob has no real connection to Down syndrome, he doesn't see it as a boundary, but instead of something special. Just the way we see Gabe. And Ruby, too!♥
Oh, that IS very sweet.
That's beautiful!
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