down syndrome

Don’t try to fix my child with a disability

Posted: 1 year ago

Don’t try to fix my child with a disability

Don’t try to fix him.

Fix the systems that inhibit him from belonging.

Today is World Down Syndrome Day. The theme this year is #InclusionMeans.

Inclusion means not having to change in order to belong. Inclusion means changing systems so everyone has a seat at the table.

In order to open up seats, we have to shift our paradigm of people with Down syndrome and other intellectual disabilities.

We have to fix the mindset that believes different is less.

We have to fix the advice not to stare and to say hello instead.

We have to fix the scarcity mentality that when we see people like my son, we assume he can’t.

And when we start fixing our mentality around disability we can start fixing the systems where discrimination is baked in.

Don’t fix Anderson. Partner with him, with us, in fixing systems that put up barriers to his belonging. Get curious. If there are no kids with disabilities in your child’s class- ask why not when research only shows benefits? If there are no disabled people in your work place- ask why not? If there are no disabled kids or adults in your church- ask why not?

Listen. And then partner with people to make your community more inclusive.

Don’t try to fix people like my son, Anderson. Instead, ask how you can help play a part in fixing the systems that don’t see his value just as he is.
Get my free ebook, “Disability Advocacy 101- a Parent’s Guide”:
https://view.flodesk.com/pages/6036b72454e757a12d5eece0

Jillian Benfield

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