'We are more alike than different.'

Today it is world Down Syndrome day. On this day we celebrate all the wonderful people and how they do not allow the fact they have Down Syndrome define who they are as a person, something to admire.

I am privileged enough to be able to join in the celebration and celebrate my wonderful Niece, Sophie. Sophie has Down syndrome and without Sophie I would never have met Tom as she was the one who showed me what I should do with my career. She has changed my life in more ways that I could ever explain. She has made me a better person and she guides me to be the best carer I could possibly be for Tom.

'We are more alike than different.' How simple yet so powerful.

To me I see a person before any disability. A disability does not define who you are as a person. A lot of people I know tend to laugh at me because I am very passionate about political correctness when it comes to disability. For example I hate the term 'disabled person', this is so often used on tv programs and news articles. It seems such a small thing to many, but this little term is telling people that you should see the disability before you see the person. When referring to another human being regardless of ability, race or religion you should always acknowledge that they are a person, just the same as you.

Tom and I are alike in so many different ways. We are both VERY stubborn, Tom tends to win though as he has the most wonderful eyes, he is able to wrap me around his little finger! We share the same passion for the theatre. Tom loves his pampering time as do I. Tom and I love to laugh, we spend most of our days together laughing, joking and teasing one another. We both enjoy getting very messy with all sorts of play. But most of all we both love life.

Tom's disability is a part of him but does not define him. Tom is a very cheeky, happy and loving little boy with so much character. It is important to spread the message that disability is just a part of someone, not who they are, people are people. Some people have brown hair, blonde hair, red hair, curly hair, straight hair. Everybody is different in their own way and that is what makes the world such a great place to live. If everybody was the same it would be a very bland, vanilla world.

'We are more alike than different.' Just keep it in your mind, find similarities and common interests and build a relationship based upon that. There is a whole world out there that some are too frightened to explore. Open your minds, let us in and I know you will become a better version of you.

Click the link to find out more about world Down Syndrome day: https://worlddownsyndromeday.org