By Naumenko Tatyana | Project Leader
"Lia, my little daughter. A special girl with a rare name. Why special? Because her diagnosis is Trisomy 21. An uncommon diagnosis? No, just an unusual one. The more conventional name is "Down Syndrome". Everybody has heard it. And many often use it instead of saying "dumb". Not only in the street or on a tram, but on tv, in the movies, in pop-songs. Freedom of speech? Or maybe, freedom of ignorance and rudeness?.. And very many think that these people are learning-disabled and even asocial...
We are afraid of those who are unusual to us, we don't accept them. In the maternity hospital we hear "Abandon the baby. Why do you need extra trouble? This kid differs from the normal you and me. Leave him." Good if you finally resist the pressure of those "well-wishers" and accept your special child with your heart and mind. And if not?..
My Lia is a natural wonder. She went to kindergarten, now goes to school. She has numerous "regular-child abilities" on the topic of "what else would one do to make more mess and come out of it smelling of roses". She likes watching movies, simultaneously grabbing a bite. She stubbornly denies the fact that she stomped across the clean floor in her dirty shoes and wrote letters with a marker on the wallpaper. Or that she used a kitchen cloth to wash not only the dishes and the oven, but also the windows, the mirrors, Zhora's computer... Zhora is Lia's elder brother.
Lia taught me to be "not like others". Not to be embarrassed or ashamed of fighting for my children. To teach them and to learn from them. To think about people and life, and just love; protect my dignity, my rights - such simple, ordinary things! But it is Lia, who is teaching them to me!
Lia is also teaching me to accept her and Zhora just as they are, and not the way me or others would like to see them. This has proved to be very difficult. What about my ambitions?! Oh, who cares!
My son is a natural wonder!
My daughter is a natural wonder!
My children are Personalities!
I can help, prompt, advise. But not decide for them. All the kids express or show their decisions in their own ways. My task is to understand and accept (oh, how hard it is!) so different, special and natural children of mine.
Zhora, Lia! I am so happy that you came into my life. And I love you just the way you are.
This is the confession of my love for you. Very hectic. Maybe, the first one in my life.
I kiss you. Mom."
Elena Oleynik, mother of a child with Down's Syndrome
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