Celebrate World Down Syndrome Day this week by listening to Shauna tell a sweet story about her daughter Sarah. After hearing this message, you’ll learn that everyone is more alike than you think!
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SHAUNA: I’m Shauna with Joni Eareckson Tada: Sharing Hope. Here’s Joni with a special Word. Happy Spring, Joni!
JONI: Oh, thank you, Shauna, and to you, may I return the greeting with Happy World Down Syndrome Day! And that’ll be tomorrow, March 21st, the day we celebrate people with Down syndrome and Shauna, that involves people like your daughter, Sarah.
SHAUNA: That’s right! World Down Syndrome Day is one of my favorite occasions of the whole the year, Joni!
JONI: Mine, too! And I know it’s held in March, the third month of the year, because a person who has Down syndrome has three copies of chromosome 21.
SHAUNA: That’s right.
JONI: Rather than only two, like you and me. And because it’s chromosome 21, well, it’s a fit! So, March 21st is the perfect day to celebrate.
SHAUNA: I’ll say! Now, usually on World Down Syndrome Day, we celebrate the uniqueness of people with Down syndrome, but I suggest today we celebrate their sameness.
JONI: Oh, and I just bet you have a story that’ll explain why.
SHAUNA: You know I do! I’m thinking of the time, just a few years ago, I brought Sarah to the playground. Well, you know I had a cup of coffee with me Joni, and my plan was to relax on the park bench while Sarah played on the nearby swings. But it did not take long before my thoughts were interrupted by a very cute little boy.
JONI: Okay.
SHAUNA: He ran onto the playground and he immediately noticed Sarah. So, of course my eyes locked on the two of them and well, shame on me Joni, but I started to get a little agitated. Because there are plenty of times when Sarah and I are with other children, and well, they’re just not very nice to her.
JONI: Aw.
SHAUNA: And, as I suspected, this boy started circling around Sarah, just studying her. Well, I could feel that Mama Bear instinct start to rise up within me, but I stayed on the bench; I decided I would wait to see what happened next.
JONI: I can’t wait to hear what happened next!
SHAUNA: Alright well, to my surprise, that little guy ran over to me and asked, “What’s wrong with her?” And you know, at first of course, I felt protective, but the Spirit quickly showed me this could be a teachable moment. And so, with God’s grace, I said, “You know what? There’s nothing wrong with her. Her name is Sarah. She loves the swings, she loves the slide, and she loves to climb on the monkey bars. Do you?” And he nodded his cute little head. And then I said, “You know, Sarah looks a little different than you, doesn’t she?” And again, he nodded agreement, but I could tell already he was looking at Sarah with new eyes. And I said, “Well, the way I see it, the two of you have a whole lot more in common than you think.” And that sweet little boy paused and he said, “Cool!” And Joni, he ran back over to Sarah and he asked her to go down the slide with him, and for the next 20 minutes or so, they were playground besties!
JONI: Oh, I love this story, Shauna. Because Genesis 1:27 tells us that we are all made in the image of God, no matter how many chromosomes we have. And it is my delight to celebrate Sarah, and all people with Down syndrome, for their uniqueness and their sameness today and all year long. So, friend listening, we hope you’ll join us. The next time you see someone with Down syndrome, say hello, won’t you? And let them know that you see them through God’s eyes, as fearfully and wonderfully made in His image!
SHAUNA: And if you need some extra encouragement, just go to joniradio.org where you’ll find all kinds of resources and inspiration. Remember, that’s joniradio.org.
© Joni and Friends