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A little over a year ago I had a hard time accepting, let alone telling people, my newborn daughter was "different." I grieved what I thought she was supposed to be and what it meant for our little family.
Today, I fiercely and proudly celebrate her differences, knowing that's what makes her outrageously beautiful. And while I believe that whole-heartedly, for the past year I still felt the overwhelming need to prove that, for both her and myself. It's almost as if I wanted to make it up to her, let her know I'm sorry for ever doubting how special she would be. In a weird way I needed redemption from the guilt and sadness that I automatically felt when I was told she had Down syndrome.
I wanted there to be a way in which the world could see what I see now. I wanted the world to see value and purpose in a life that is stamped as "different." I wanted the world to see just how brilliant celebrating those differences really can be.
You see I owe a lot to differences...
Differences are what made me into the person I am today, the momma I strive to be tomorrow and the advocate I hope to one day be.
Differences are what rocked my world when my daughter, Pip, was born with Down syndrome among other health issues.
Differences are what gave me confidence when I had to proudly show her off with a feeding tube, tiny eye contacts, little baby glasses and eye patches. Differences are what taught me strength when I had to brush off comments from other children calling her broken and gross, or hold my head high amongst the constant "What's wrong with her?" questions from strangers. Differences are what taught me to believe in something greater than myself when I trace the scars from her numerous surgeries. Differences are what taught me beauty comes in absolutely all sizes, shapes, forms, colors and abilities.
You see differences are what led me to start "Happy Soul Project," my blog in which I document the beautiful differences of my daughter and encourage others to break down their own stigmas and find wonder in the world around them. And, differences are what gave me the proudest moment in my life, finally feeling that redemption, holding Pip under a 200-foot billboard that proudly boasts her picture at one of the busiest intersections in Canada.
I Want the World to See Beauty in Being Different
By: Tara McCallan