learn something

Lincoln HAS Down Syndrome, but that doesn't mean he IS Down Syndrome.  Its just a part of his handsome, adorable, huggable, unique little self.  It's only a tiny chunk of him that just so happens to cause certain things to be a little extra difficult... but that tiny chunk also means some things come quite easily.  Yes, it affects him... but it certainly doesn't define who he is or what he can do.  When we start defining people by a tiny chunk of who they are, we tend to lose who they really are.  Its so easy to get so caught up in what others say about us, but its important that we don't lose sight of who we are and the qualities we have built up within ourselves.  You may not have Down Syndrome, but just like everyone else - you were uniquely made. Obviously not everything is easy for you, and not everything is hard for you. Maybe there are things about you that others are confused or scared about... but you also have things about you that draw others to you.  A Down Syndrome diagnosis itself is only one sentence of a book.  Only a drop of water during a rain storm,  or a single strum of the guitar during a solo.  It is not the whole thing.   If there is something I have learned on my journey so far, its that people can only take from you what you allow.  If you allow others to define who YOU are, you are giving them the power to dictate where you will go.  If you only know one ting about Down Syndrome, know this:  It is a tiny chunk of something you have - NOT something you are.   Its only a part of the unique, awesome human being that God made you out to be.