I remember turning into the grocery store parking lot and seeing a city bus drive by. On its side was a large advertisement: "We Are More Alike Than Different," featuring a larger-than-life photo of a young adult with Down syndrome. 

I smiled, thinking of our son Dylan, who has Down syndrome.

The slogan, "We Are More Alike Than Different," perfectly aligned with my beliefs and what I had been communicating to teachers, our community, our family, and most importantly, to Dylan. 

I wanted him to grow up knowing that he had more similarities than differences with others.

Whenever someone at an IEP meeting pointed out that Dylan couldn’t do something, I was quick to provide an example of what he could do. 

If a child at the park laughed at Dylan and teased him, I would casually say, “You know, Dylan loves playing Nintendo games, and I bet you do too.”

My mission was to point out similarities and Dylan's abilities and to say "despite his disabilites" look what a great kid he is. This became the foundation of our advocacy for him.

The idea of Disability Pride never quite clicked for us when Dylan was younger.

We'd have open conversations about his questions – the size of his tongue, the teasing during reading, the extra chromosome. 

We dismantled myths and challenged low expectations, all while assuring him he could achieve anything (despite his Down syndrome).

Hindsight stings. 

It wasn't "despite," it was "because." 

It wasn't "despite" his disabilites he was a great kid.  It was "because" of his disabilities that he is the wonderful human that he is.

While nurturing his strengths, I'd inadvertently downplayed a core part of his identity.
 

Perhaps it was the belief that embracing his disability somehow diminished his other qualities.

But here's the truth: our children's differences are their gifts. 

It's time to shift gears.

Instead of solely focusing on similarities, you can celebrate your child's one-of-a-kind gifts.

Here's a clip of a impromptu video I did for our Conecting for Change™ group, Stop Sidelining Our Differences.

What can you do today to either sprinkle the seeds of disability pride in your child or nurture the ones previously planted?

Let's challenge the status quo and celebrate every unique contribution our children bring to the world!