My Point and I DO have One

OK, so I stole that title from Ellen. I love Ellen Degeneres. She is funny, forward thinking, great looking for our age. Yes, Ellen and I are the same age. We even share a name as I was born Joyce Ellen. But what I love the most about Ellen, is she is willing to explore territory that might not feel safe. Not everyone agrees with her choices. Yet, she has a following of dedicated fans.
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And that's my whole point with this series of posts about dance. Yes, Dance. For me, it was not about the fancy costumes, the tiaras, the hair, or even the performances. It was a little about being a princess, more about coordination, even more about gross motor skills, and even more about following directions. But what it really was about is INCLUSION. Just being with girls. Friends.
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Was it easy walking into that dance studio? The only mother of a child dancing with Down syndrome. NO. Did it bother me when Sarah couldn't quite keep up with the other girls? YES. Did I wish my daughter was like them? AT TIMES. Did I hear negative comments? Occasionally. Did I run the other way. NO. Why not you ask?

Look at this picture. LOOK HARD. Study it. What do you see?
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Four girls waiting their turn to dance.
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Wearing the same costumes.
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Hair on top of their head.
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Playing Disney Uno.
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Sitting on Sarah's blanket.
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WITH Sarah.
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Willingly.
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No pressure, no coercion.

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Just being friends.

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Sarah looks like them.
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She acts like them.
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She looks like she belongs there.
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And GUESS WHAT?

SHE DOES. I urge you as parents to go out of your comfort zone. Get out of the small groups that look like you. That have kids who share that extra chromosome. Do something that expands your boundaries. Don't immediately jump into an extracurricular "special program." Do it for you, for your child, for the families with a child with Ds that will follow you. More importantly, do it for all the other children and their families. That is how we spread our message the best.

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It doesn't have to be dance. I could repeat this same story with soccer and softball. It could be karate, Gymboree, Scouts, swimming, skating, bowling. MY point is, don't take the route of comfort. Start early. Don't give up when confronted with negativity. The rewards will be so grand, so far reaching, so euphoric. And the lessons you will teach along the way are priceless. And that is my POINT.