Joni’s friends Jack and Mia show that Down syndrome isn’t a sorrow—it’s a gift that fills families with love, glue, and even a little tape.
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My Baby Has a Disability – Shauna Amick shares her story of having a child prenatally diagnosed with Down syndrome. In the midst of her enormous questions and fears, Shauna learned that God has a one-of-a-kind purpose for every child—each one uniquely formed in his image. Shauna invites you to dream new dreams for yourself and your precious child.
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SHAUNA: Welcome to Joni Eareckson Tada: Sharing Hope. And this is Down Syndrome Awareness Month!
JONI: And I have two guests in the studio to help us understand what this condition is all about, and these two are experts. I’ve got with me 8-year-old Mia, who has Down syndrome, and Jack, her 10-year-old brother. Welcome you two! I’m so glad you’re here!
JACK: I’m so glad to be here, thank you.
MIA: I’m so glad to be here, too.
JONI: What do you like best about Jack?
MIA: I love my brother.
JONI: I’m glad you do. And of course, you love your little sister, right?
JACK: Of course, yeah.
JONI: Now, you were telling me a story earlier – ‘cause sometimes we get the idea that kids with Down syndrome are always happy, never a bother.
JACK: Yeah, she always has her glass halfway full, that’s for sure. She always has something to say.
JONI: And what do you love best about your older brother?
MIA: I love my brother so much.
JONI: But why?
MIA: He helps me if I get hurt.
JONI: He does. And he gives good hugs, doesn’t he?
MIA: Yeah.
JONI: Jack, was there ever a time that you felt embarrassed about little Mia?
JACK: Umm, yeah.
MIA: I’m not little.
JACK: But in the past, she’s done some things to make me want to crawl up in a ball. But then, later on, I go over it and think about it and say, “You know what? That’s just her being her. And that’s completely fine.”
JONI: So, Mia, what do you like best about his hugs?
MIA: He gives great squishes. And great snuggles.
JONI: Okay.
MIA: And I’m going to get some of those hugs.
JONI: You do, don’t you? Well, Jack, what do you wish more people understood about kids with Down syndrome?
JACK: That kids with Down syndrome – and anyone in particular with Down syndrome – when people say, “I’m so sorry,” they shouldn’t be sorry. And that Down syndrome is entirely a gift. And how amazing that they can be. And when people say, you know, they can’t do this or they can’t do that, and then they do it, it’s so amazing. And most people who know what Down syndrome is think that it’s not a good thing. But I think I want the world to know that it’s really incredible and amazing.
JONI: Because it’s made your family a little more special, hasn’t it?
JACK: Yeah, Mia is definitely the glue that holds this family together.
JONI: Is that true, Mia? Are you the glue in the family?
MIA: Yeah, Jack is the glue.
JONI: Jack’s the glue?
MIA: I’m the tape.
JONI: You’re the tape! Okay. Well, Jack, what advice would you give any siblings today who are listening that might have a brother or a sister with Down syndrome?
JACK: Be patient. They’re incredibly talented. And so incredible. And that you should think of this as a gift, whoever your sibling is, boy, girl. Have fun with it. And know that they’ll always be here for you.
JONI: Absolutely. Could you say a prayer to close our time together for our listeners?
JACK: Thank you, God, for this precious and amazing day. Lord, we just want to pray for all the siblings, parents, anyone who knows someone with Down syndrome. And, God, I just pray that You’ll tell them that it’s completely fine and that this is a gift. And that everyone with Down syndrome, they all have something special about them, and that you just need to find that. And that they’re so incredible. You just take the time and just think about how incredible this is, that you were chosen for something so amazing like raising or being with a child with Down syndrome, God. We thank you so much for this day, and we just pray that You help all of those people. In Jesus’s name we pray, amen.
JONI: Amen! Well, I can’t think of two better ambassadors of Down Syndrome Awareness Month than these two ambassadors, Jack and Mia. And, friend, you may know somebody who is carrying a pre-born child with a disability, or maybe you know someone who just gave birth to a little girl or boy with Down syndrome. And I’ve got an excellent booklet called “My Baby Has a Disability.” I’d love to send it to you today. Just contact joniradio.org and ask for your free copy. Do it today. And Jack and Mia? Thanks so much for joining me and being a huge blessing to our listeners! Okay?
JACK: Of course.
JONI: Okay, bye bye!
JACK & MIA: Bye!
© Joni and Friends