Inside and out

Hannah does not fit the stereotype of “happy, easy going, sweet” individual with Down syndrome. I don’t know many people with Down syndrome who do. I would characterize Hannah as “ornery, funny, ridiculous” (of course I say that lovingly). She can be downright mean as well. Today, however, she said the sweetest thing.

Hold on to your hats now! Our family has joined a gym! This afternoon Chris and I are going to have our “orientation”. No, I am not excited. Neither is Chris. Hannah is though, because there is an indoor pool, even a big water slide! And there is a kids’ place to do games, watch videos and arts and crafts. I was preparing Hannah for her time in the Kids’ Gym. I mentioned that probably all the kids there will be younger than she is, and it would be a good time for her to practice being nice to them. (She frequently gets irritated by preschoolers—they are noisy and intrusive—toddlers are even worse. Babies are acceptable, even wonderful, as long as they are quiet.)

After this mini-lecture, Hannah said, “My brain will be kind. And my heart will be too.”

It made me smile inside and out.