A is for Amazing Appearances’ 31 for 21 day 4

This is my girl, one of the many beautiful faces of Down syndrome.  We are a society obsessed with appearances.  I know my daughter gets second glances all the time.  She doesn’t fit society’s definition of a “normal” appearance.  I see how the media of TV, computers and print ads via magazines play into what we feel is the “perfect” appearance.  How many times have you looked at someone and at first glance made a quick assessment of them?  I know I am guilty of it many times over.  It is so easy to quickly glance at the person who is dressed “weird” and label them a nut, someone who looks put together and carries themselves with confidence can be mistaken as snobby and better than the average person, the person with the blue hair and all black clothes are labeled as “suspicious”.  I could go on and on with the labels we place on each other.  I like to remember that God created my Katie and those who have Ds as well as every other person on this Earth as someone who is in his image.  How can we label someone with just one glance?  Why do we do it?  Just human nature I guess?   One look at my bug and she is instantly labeled.  Have you ever gotten to know someone and years later they tell you what their first impression of you was?  I have gotten that story told to me several times.  One by a best friend of mine who thought I was standoffish and too good to socialize with them.  Yet here I am 20+ years later with that same best friend.  What if this person had just written me off at the first glance?  To those of you who look and make assumptions of our children and adults with Ds—look again and again if you have to.  Remember that they are someone with feelings just like you.  They hurt, laugh, cry, and smile like you.  This is someone’s sister, brother, daughter, son, cousin, friend, neighbor, aunt, and uncle.  Don’t be so quick to judge what you don’t know.  You might find yourself extremely pleased once you find the beauty that the first glance may have caused you to miss. 



Now, some info about Down syndrome since this is awareness month—a few traits that can be present in the appearance of a child with Ds.  These can include:

• low muscle tone
• upward slant to the eyes-eyes are shaped “almond like”
• brushfield spots in the eyes (light colored spots in the eyes)
• single deep crease in the palms of the hands
• a flattened facial profile
• a small mouth which makes the tongue seem large
• small, lower set ears
• pinky finger that curves inward
• larger than normal space between the big toe and second toe
• round faces
• short, stubby fingers
• smaller head
• fine hair

If a doctor sees several of these features, they may suspect that Down syndrome is present.  Ds confirmation is done through a chromosomal analysis at birth.  This is called a karotype or they can order a FISH analysis which can result in a shorter wait time.  Prenatally ultrasounds and blood samples are taken which may show markers for an increased risk of Down syndrome.  These are not definitive tests, but families can choose to undergo chorionic villus sampling or amniocentesis for an almost 100% positive diagnosis.  There is also a  new blood test screening which is in the works that will offer a less invasive screening tool with an almost 100% accurate diagnosis.  This test will be available soon to the public.  Not all people with Ds have all of these traits.  Some have more than others and some have less—just like we all weren’t gifted with common sense or size 6 bottoms!