31 for 21: Good Ole Standby Poem

A good poem I always like to share at some point during Down syndrome awareness month is the Creed of Babies with Down syndrome.  The very first time I read this was when my boys were in the NICU and my sister Heidi found it on the internet, printed it out and decorated it and put it on both boys NICU bed.. I will never forget it because even as a brand new parent to identical twins both just diagnosed with Down syndrome, this poem spoke directly to my heart.  So in the event that you have never had the pleasure of reading this poem, please do so and do it with a smile on your face :)

Creed of Babies with Down syndrome

My face may be different

But my feelings the same

I laugh and I cry

And I take pride in my gains

I was sent here among you

To teach you to love

As God in the heavens

Looks down from above

To Him I'm no different

His love knows no bounds

It's those here among you

In cities and towns

That judge me by standards

That man has imparted

But this family I've chosen

Will help me get started

For I'm one of the children

So special and few

That came here to learn

The same lessons as you

That love is acceptance

It must come from the heart

We all have the same purpose

Though not the same start

The Lord gave me life

To live and embrace

And I'll do it as you do

But at my own pace

-author unknown