 My family is ever grateful for the community and supports found at the NWDSA upon the birth of my child with Down syndrome. The celebration and reassurance of possibilities found there was the perfect companion to early intervention in my daughter’s early years and the experience, training, and advocacy offered by staff and seasoned advocates and leaders in the community has helped us build an inclusive foundation in her public education and extracurricular activities. We have learned that Down syndrome (or disability) does not define us or our lives. It’s just part of us and it deserves acceptance whatever it’s form. We are less afraid when we think about the future. We have high expectations of not only our children but of our community, our schools, and our government. Many frustrations developed are with shortfalls in those areas and not in the diagnosis itself – which is not a disease – but a physical make up like the color of your skin -- it is a diversity. My family finds it very important that we continue embracing difference, promoting inclusion, and both educating and exposing others to the fact that we are all more alike than different and that we all have human and civil rights. When families experiencing Down syndrome are ready to connect or learn, the NWDSA is the first place I’d direct them. For new parent information and play groups, sure, but more over for the information and experience the community there is willing and able to share, and the unique sense of belonging found when you’re seeking understanding or working on a common goal. What you’ll likely end up finding is that it’s really just common sense touched with a need for social justice. So, yes, there’s surely a lot to absorb, process, and fight for on this journey and we’ve certainly seen our thinking evolve over time, but we have found support available to us when needed and eight years later we are not only still standing but we are thriving and learning and growing and, again, ever thankful for the services and supports offered at the Northwest Down Syndrome Association.