As part of our Down syndrome awareness campaign in 2022, we harnessed the power of social media and helped Miracle, an awesome child express her thoughts about children with DS. Here’s what she said:
I’M IN THE PICTURE! Funny the privileges ‘neurotypicals’ (people without disability) take for granted. You expect to be loved and accepted in the home right? Life isn’t that easy for some of us, some parents don’t have the heart to love us.
Some may have but are forced to give in to extended family or peer pressure. Siblings may or may not be supportive of us too but where parents genuinely love and do not present the child as a burden, those in their cycle may also accept the child.
Do you know that until recently, babies with DS are institutionalized? Do you know some families pretend that we do not exist and never mention us to friends? It may also interest you to know that some beautiful family pictures 
you see on social media and on family walls are not complete!
I’m getting really upset now. Why would society permit such??? I’ve often heard my mom say that ‘the discrimination of a child with additional needs starts from the home’.The impact of having a child with additional needs may also be in the area of time
.
These kids require more attention and the rest of the family may pay the price. Another major area in which it affects families is their finances
. Parents need to be cautious 
they let the others know why they are spending so much on the healthcare and education of this person who may not even be making much progress in the eyes of his or her siblings.
In all, let’s together stop the discrimination against persons with disability. Now here’s a call for action! Pay an advocacy visit to the family whom you know is not treating a disabled person nicely (they may be acting out of ignorance).
Inform the social welfare department around you know.
Report to the police.
Report to relevant NGO
I’m having this conversation with you because my family gave me the opportunity to thrive
#TheEngracedOnes #downsyndromeawareness