I don't claim to know much about Down Syndrome except that it is caused by an extra chromosome (Thanks 9th grade Science!). But awareness doesn't just mean facts, it means how it relates to us so here are some of my thoughts.
The Gaccettas are some of our closest family friends. My dad "Uncle Mick" and their dad have quite an interesting bromance, some might say it get's a little weird- but at least they have someone. They have two incredible twin daughters that are now in fourth grade, Bailey and Ashley, and their younger brother Nolan who turned 4 recently. I've been lucky enough to see these cuties grow up and I miss them so much whenever I'm here during school.
They truly are some of the kindest people I have ever met, parents and kids alike. So many things make this family special. They truly love the New York Yankees, Nolan is soon going to be MLB star, Ashley writes for the Denver Post and Bailey could definitely be the next Taylor Swift.
Another thing that makes this family special is that Bailey has Down Syndrome.
In Middle School I had never really thought that much of it. I knew what it was, but Bailey was 'Bailey the big hugger and great dancer'- no matter what. I remember once in class some kids were saying something rude about about someone else who had Down Syndrome. As shy as I was and even though I wanted to fit in, I told them off a little bit, or as much as I had the guts to.
"Just because he has down Syndrome doesn't mean it's okay to make fun of him- he should be being mean to you because you are mean". ...something along those lines- I don't remember exact words.
It was a lot for me at the time and while it wasn't perfect at least I tried. It bothered me so much that people thought it was okay to say things about how people were born without even trying to get know them.
If I heard anyone say something mean about Bailey, I would act like her older brother and not let that person get away with it.
But then again, I would do that for anyone in the family.
Today I still stand by my conviction. There is no reason to say any hurtful words about something that people can't control.
But then again, I understand that it's easy to let ignorance control things.
Here is a very simple website to find out more information all things Down Syndrome: http://kidshealth.org/parent/medical/genetic/down_syndrome.html
I'll let the concluding words show you how wonderful this family is in the words of Becky Gaccetta (the mom) and maybe inspire you to think about things in a different way- it certainly inspired me.
"We made the decision early on that we were not going to use the words Down syndrome in our house. Many people disagree with this, but this was our family's choice. We were not embarrassed that we had a child with special needs. We wanted people to look at Bailey as a beautiful little girl who had a world full of potential ahead of her. We didn't want people to lower their expectations or stifle her just because she has Down syndrome. We also wanted a relationship to form with her sister that was not seen as anything other than sisterly love.
It wasn't until 1st grade, when Ashley came home and asked us if Bailey had Down syndrome. We had the talk, and Ashley's response was "hmph" as if it didn't change a thing. Again, many would disagree with our decision, but I think it has done what it needed to just because of this (and some will remember this)...
At Safeway, Ashley read about donating money to disabled people in our community. She asked if we have people in our community with a disability. My response was that some people would say that Bailey has a disability. Ash's answer to that~
"She doesn't have a disability, she just has Down syndrome." " Becky Gaccetta
I was just going to just say a bunch of information about Down Syndrome but it took quite a turn. Emotions are usually better than straight facts.
I'd love to know your thoughts. What are your thoughts on Down Syndrome or an inspirational family? Or rude people?
~Saige
The Gaccettas are some of our closest family friends. My dad "Uncle Mick" and their dad have quite an interesting bromance, some might say it get's a little weird- but at least they have someone. They have two incredible twin daughters that are now in fourth grade, Bailey and Ashley, and their younger brother Nolan who turned 4 recently. I've been lucky enough to see these cuties grow up and I miss them so much whenever I'm here during school.
They truly are some of the kindest people I have ever met, parents and kids alike. So many things make this family special. They truly love the New York Yankees, Nolan is soon going to be MLB star, Ashley writes for the Denver Post and Bailey could definitely be the next Taylor Swift.
Another thing that makes this family special is that Bailey has Down Syndrome.
In Middle School I had never really thought that much of it. I knew what it was, but Bailey was 'Bailey the big hugger and great dancer'- no matter what. I remember once in class some kids were saying something rude about about someone else who had Down Syndrome. As shy as I was and even though I wanted to fit in, I told them off a little bit, or as much as I had the guts to.
"Just because he has down Syndrome doesn't mean it's okay to make fun of him- he should be being mean to you because you are mean". ...something along those lines- I don't remember exact words.
It was a lot for me at the time and while it wasn't perfect at least I tried. It bothered me so much that people thought it was okay to say things about how people were born without even trying to get know them.
If I heard anyone say something mean about Bailey, I would act like her older brother and not let that person get away with it.
But then again, I would do that for anyone in the family.
Today I still stand by my conviction. There is no reason to say any hurtful words about something that people can't control.
But then again, I understand that it's easy to let ignorance control things.
Here is a very simple website to find out more information all things Down Syndrome: http://kidshealth.org/parent/medical/genetic/down_syndrome.html
I'll let the concluding words show you how wonderful this family is in the words of Becky Gaccetta (the mom) and maybe inspire you to think about things in a different way- it certainly inspired me.
"We made the decision early on that we were not going to use the words Down syndrome in our house. Many people disagree with this, but this was our family's choice. We were not embarrassed that we had a child with special needs. We wanted people to look at Bailey as a beautiful little girl who had a world full of potential ahead of her. We didn't want people to lower their expectations or stifle her just because she has Down syndrome. We also wanted a relationship to form with her sister that was not seen as anything other than sisterly love.
It wasn't until 1st grade, when Ashley came home and asked us if Bailey had Down syndrome. We had the talk, and Ashley's response was "hmph" as if it didn't change a thing. Again, many would disagree with our decision, but I think it has done what it needed to just because of this (and some will remember this)...
At Safeway, Ashley read about donating money to disabled people in our community. She asked if we have people in our community with a disability. My response was that some people would say that Bailey has a disability. Ash's answer to that~
"She doesn't have a disability, she just has Down syndrome." " Becky Gaccetta
I was just going to just say a bunch of information about Down Syndrome but it took quite a turn. Emotions are usually better than straight facts.
I'd love to know your thoughts. What are your thoughts on Down Syndrome or an inspirational family? Or rude people?
~Saige