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Sonoma
County Down Syndrome Support |
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I
am a kid with Down syndrome. It is not something I would choose. I'd like you to know me better. Would you take a walk in my shoes? |
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Down
syndrome affects my body from my muscles to my brain. But I'm more like you than I'm not. Come with me and I'll explain. |
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Let's
take a walk together and you can see things through my eyes. Look we both have Nikes on and we even wear the same size! |
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As
we walk listen carefully, I'll be teaching you about me. Together we can have some fun, but your help will be the key. |
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Be
patient as I am talking. I often get tongue-tied. If you can wait long enough, you'll see we're the same inside. |
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In
school I'm often frustrated, learning stuff that's new. Learning isn't as easy for me as it seems to be for you. |
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So
if you see that I'm in trouble and I need a little clue. Try drawing me a picture or showing me what to do. |
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Don't
worry if I tell you, "No thanks,
I don't want a hand." I like to do things for myself. My motto is: "I CAN!" |
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But
you can always help me by cheering for my success. Just like I'll cheer for you when you score a goal or ace a test. |
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Smiles,
hugs, pats-on-the-back... they all make me grin. I'll give back all these things to you, multiplied by ten. |
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My
world is full of fun things, like movies, pizzas, swings. It's great to have a friend to share in what each day brings. |
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Thank
you for walking in my shoes. I wanted you to see. I really need a friend like you who likes me just as me. |
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When
you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you
hang my first painting on the refrigerator and I immediately wanted to paint another one. |
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When
you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you
feed a stray cat, and I learned that it was good to be kind to animals. |
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When
you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you
make my favorite cake for me and learned that little things can be the special things in life. |
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When
you thought I wasn't looking, I heard
you say a prayer, and I knew there is a God I could always talk to and I learned to trust in God. |
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When
you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you
make a meal and take it to a friend who was sick, and I learned that we all have to help take care of each other. |
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When
you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you
give of your time and money to help people who had nothing and I learned that those who have something should give to those who do not. |
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When
you thought I wasn't looking, I felt you
kiss me good night and I felt loved and safe. |
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When
you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you
take care of our house and everyone in it and I learned we have to take care of what we are given. |
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When
you thought I wasn't looking, I saw how
you handled your responsibilities, even when you didn't feel good and I learned that I will have to be responsible when I grow up. |
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When
you thought I wasn't looking, I saw tears
come from your eyes and I learned that sometimes things hurt but it is all right to cry. |
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When
you thought I wasn't looking, I saw that
you cared and I wanted to be everything that I could be. |
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When
you thought I wasn't looking, I learned
most of life's lessons that I need to know to be a good and productive person when I grow up. |
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When
you thought I wasn't looking, I looked
at you and wanted to say, "Thanks for all the things I saw when you thought I wasn't looking!" |
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The
day my child was born the sun shone in
the sky My life would change forever and here’s the reason why You see my son is different, things did not go as we planned For my child was born with a line across his hand A line across his hand |
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They
said that he would be slow too learn and
never read or write. But when he took his first steps it was a special night. They said he’d never be a man and always be a burden But he’d show them wrong, it was the one thing I was certain A line across his hand |
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Oh
how very hard it was to learn to tie his
shoe There were days we thought it was something he’d never ever do But then one day he made the bow up right and neat Oh, his life ain’t always easy but his victories are sweet A line across his hand |
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I
always dreamed we’d play with a
baseball and a bat but in our life together we jog the High School track. There are many things that he can do and things that he can not. He’s much more than the sum total of the syndrome that he’s got. A line across his hand |
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If
I had the power to change his life I’m
not sure what I’d do But his life has been a blessing ‘tho I’ve shed a tear or two I love my son more then I believed all those years ago I guess in this life we do reap what we do sow A line across his hand |
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Now
my son is grown and holds a job and
has a lady friend A
line across his hand
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