When You Have to Be Their Voice | Down Syndrome Awareness Month

I hate confrontation.

I hate arguments.

I like to follow rules.

BUT if there is anything I have been learning through this journey of parenting a child with Down syndrome, it’s that I have to be willing to be Cody’s voice and fight for him.

I dislike it, but I do it.

I’m still learning and don’t have thick skin, but I do it.

I might cry through the whole process, but I do it.

I might get discouraged and want to quit, but I don’t.

This face and keeping a smile on it is what pushes me through.

Why?

Because if us parents aren’t going to stand up for him, who will?

Who is his voice when he doesn’t have one? We are.

We fully admit to not knowing everything, but we know when things aren’t working and that his behaviors tell us if something is working or if it isn’t working.

There are many out there that have your child’s best interest in mind. Unfortunately, there are also others that don’t. For those that don’t, we have to be the voice of our children.

There is no room for ego when it comes to advocating for our children, special needs or typical.

It isn’t about you. It’s about them – your child.

We are learning. We are growing. We are advocating.

We do it for him.