I saw this quote the other day and thought about how it applies to my daughter Kayla, who has Down syndrome, and people who have disabilities. The quote is “Different, not less.”

Yes my daughter is different in that she has an extra chromosome. (But really, how "different" is she? A lot of people out there have an extra — or even missing — chromosome. There are other people who have a single simian crease across the palm of their hand, others who have Brushfield spots in their eyes, others who have speech issues, others who have cognitive delays.) She is "different" because that extra chromosome automatically gave her a label of Down syndrome, or in medical terms, Trisomy 21.

Unfortunately, society thinks of those who are different as being less, or that people who have disabilities are less deserving of employment, independence, education, and friendship. People with disabilities are less valued or thought to be expendable and less than deserving of life. Being different doesn’t make them any less of a son or daughter, sibling, grandchild, niece or nephew, cousin, or friend. They aren’t less deserving of love, respect, a chance to play sports, or to be included.

History has not been kind to those who have disabilities. One only has to look back at what Hitler did, or even where I sit, in Willowbrook. People with disabilities were locked away in institutions and given no hope. If you put a typically-developing baby in an institution with no stimulation, no love, no toys, no chance to learn what do you expect them to learn? That’s what happened with babies who were born with Down syndrome (or other disabilities) — they were sent away to institutions and not given the chance to learn. Because why? Because they were though of as less than human and less deserving of life. Why? Because they weren’t "normal?" And who decides what is normal anyway? Having an extra chromosome shouldn’t be a death sentence. People with Down syndrome, and other disabilities, should be treated as equals…because they are…they are still human beings.

Having a difference does not make one less capable of learning, love, being a friend, playing, laughing, hurting, having fun, experiencing and enjoying life, following the rules, having a job, or having feelings. Having a difference does not mean you can’t grow up and be a valued member of society. Having a difference doesn’t mean you can’t learn; it just might take longer to do things, but the opportunity to learn should still be available.

Different, yes. But not less. Not less than anything.

Photo by annikaleigh