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.
Interview With The Brothers
Today, we thought we’d ask the boys some questions and see what they had to say. It’s very difficult to get answers out of a 3 and 5 year old and Alexander answered some with the words “poo poo” and a big smile. With that being said, here are some of the questions and the kids answers (minus the poo poo). They are still young but they are old enough to begin learning about and understanding acceptance.
Do you love your sister?
Lincoln: Yes (fast head nodding)
Alexander: Yeah (very excitedly)
What do you love about Hope?
Lincoln: The cuddles and she can say ‘dad’ now.
Alexander: I love playing with Hope and throwing balls and some blocks.
Is there something different about Hope?
Lincoln: (shakes head) Oh! The cut tongue. She cut her tongue like Alexander did before.
Alexander: She’s the same.
Should Hope go to school with you or somewhere else?
Lincoln: Come to the same school.
Alexander: She should go to school with me.
What are your favourite things to do with Hope?
Lincoln: Play with her. Lead her from the kitchen to your room and getting her to crawl under my legs.
Alexander: Throwing things
Do you think Hope loves you?
Lincoln: Yeah
Alexander: Mmmhmm
How do you know Hope loves you?
Lincoln: Sometimes she follows me everywhere at school. And cuddles and kisses.
Do you think she has friends at school?
Lincoln: Yeah, but her best best best friend is me.
Alexander: Yes
Are Alexander and Hope the same or different?
Lincoln: Sometimes different because Alexander can walk and Hope is only walking a little.
Alexander: Same
Why do you think Hope has trouble walking sometimes?
Lincoln: I forget the word.
Down syndrome?
Lincoln: Yeah, Down syndrome.
What do you think Down syndrome means?
Lincoln: She has to learn a little bit more.
Does it matter about her Down syndrome?
Lincoln: No, it doesn’t matter.
Do you think with the help of therapy, Hope will catch up?
Lincoln: Yeah
What does Hope learn at therapy?
Alexander: She learns walking to mum.
Do you think we love Hope any more or less than you?
Lincoln: No, you love us all the same.
How would you describe Hope?
Lincoln: She crawls more and she doesn’t play games (Nintendo) like us.
How does Hope talk?
Lincoln: She uses signs.
Does Hope understand when we use signs?
Lincoln: Yes
Do you think she’ll talk one day?
Lincoln: Yeah
What do you think Hope likes to do?
Lincoln: Play with us, play games, read books.
Alexander: Dancing like me, she likes family.
Is there anything you would change about Hope?
Lincoln: She’s perfect the way she is.
Alexander, do you think Hope is perfect just the way she is?
Alexander: Yeah
If people were being mean to Hope, how would that make you feel?
Lincoln: Sad, and I would say ,”stop it, don’t be mean to Hope.”
Alexander: Sad and angry. I would say, “no, stop, that’s not very nice.”
If you could say anything to Hope right now what would you say?
Lincoln: I love you
Alexander: It would be a present, a pants present. (better than poo poo right?)
And that’s it. Perhaps, their answers are short but it’s easy to see that they love Hope. They don’t think she needs to be treated differently and they accept her. Teaching our kids about acceptance now, is going to help ensure they continue to show acceptance throughout their lives.
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