Family

After sharing about Hope and Down syndrome at school, Alexander made a comment on the way home that I wasn’t expecting: “Mum, I’m lucky I wasn’t born with Down syndrome.” It stopped me in my tracks. I understood what he meant—he’s seen how hard Hope works every day. But does that mean he thinks she’s unlucky? It made me question how we talk about Down syndrome, how we shape our kids’ perspectives, and how we show them that having to work harder doesn’t mean being unlucky—it means being strong.

“Mum” is a word that echoes through our homes daily, often to the point where we can almost tire of hearing it. But for some, like me, it’s a word we longed to hear for years. And now… I’m hearing it.

When you have a child with Down syndrome, you quickly realise just how important a strong support system is. Whether it’s family, friends, or even strangers who step up in unexpected ways, these people become your lifeline. From celebrating milestones to helping during tough times, their support makes all the difference.

Kids have a way of seeing the world so simply, and our boys are no exception. We sat down with Lincoln and Alexander to ask them a few questions about their sister Hope—what they love about her, what they think about Down syndrome, and whether they believe she’s different. Their responses? Honest, sweet, and full of love. Teaching acceptance starts young, and it’s clear these two already know what truly matters.