We have to accept help. Since the birth of my son, I’ve known that taking care of a child with special needs has to involve a community. First, of course, it comes from inside the family. After reading all those books by all the experts that tell us all the places we must go to check the list of all the “possible” deformities, maladies, or complications, it can become overwhelming, confusing, and even maddening.

A place I found especially confusing after returning from many of those appointments and asking for help, I seem to be right back in the same place. I’ve learned after asking for help, and not getting it, I’ve got to ask again. Pushing harder isn’t always what I want to do when I’m tired. But if someone doesn’t help, someone else will. Otherwise, we’re all going to break down. Managing a special needs kid is a lot. Kids are a lot. We all need help.

Each Down Syndrome case has it’s own special medical mix. And, we might have to just keep running to all those appointments, but help has to come from our community. Even a ride to an appointment or watching another child or taking the kids for a weekend so the parents can get a break can be a powerful force of healing.

Special needs kids are a gift to our society. They make us slow down and focus on love and bring unity to those who bond together to really care for someone as they struggle to survive and ultimately thrive in the world.

Down Syndrome, special needs belongs to all of us. It’s one thing to say it. It’s another to really help the process, and the parents, along.