Luckily, most of us were born with two legs, two arms, two eyes, 46 chromosomes, a straight spinal cord and all that jazz, though there are some of us who were not so lucky in this aspect. This does not mean they are any less than us, nor should they be treated this way, things just don't come as easily for them.
Last year our year group had the opportunity to complete a term of service at Malibu School. Malibu School is an amazing specialist school for students in early childhood through to year 12 which caters to students with intellectual disabilities, physical disabilities, sensory impairments, (vision and hearing), challenging behaviours and/or autistic spectrum disorders. Having never been to a school or place with that many people with disabilities before was really eye-opening for me. I had never realised just how privileged I am, all of us are really to be able to do what we take for granted everyday. Things like walking will be a major step out of the comfort zone for some, (I couldn't resist, pun definitely intended!)
After the 10 weeks we were back to school permanently and I did miss the weekly visits, though this year we were given another opportunity to go back to Malibu and continue service for a term. I was pretty excited to go back as I had the most amazing experience with all the students in the previous year! I'd met all these gorgeous kids from ages 4 and up and it was great to see how much they'd grown through the year. We are in our 4th week of service and today I saw one of the most beautiful little girls that I'd met last year. She is one of the most gorgeous kids I have ever met, and she is extremely cheeky! She is now 6 years old and we were playing with her on a trampoline today, she was throwing a ball around and jumping up and down along with us and singing 'ring around a rosy' non-stop with the biggest smile on her face. I'm not going to say she suffers from a disease, because although she is only six, she is clearly happy. She is living with down-syndrome (also known as trisomy 21). Down-syndrome is a genetic disorder caused by the presence of all or part of a third copy of chromosome. It is typically associated with physical growth delays, characteristic facial features and mild to moderate intellectual disability. The average IQ of a young adult with down syndrome is 50, similar to the mental age of an 8 or 9 year old. Unfortunately, she will likely be infertile when she is older, because having the extra chromosome (we have 46, she and others will have 47) makes it extremely difficult to halve, which is what is needed to happen to create a new and unique lifeform.
I am aware that there is not only this little girl, but many others with disabilities, and I have had some great times dancing, playing, jumping, exercising and just hanging out with some of the most beautiful people that make the most of what they're given. So please, for their sake, make the most of what your given. I'm not saying you should feel bad for being healthy, but just remind yourself that you are considered lucky, extremely lucky, don't take anything for granted and live every second at it's fullest. Take opportunities and help out others, you will feel a great sense of achievement in doing so!
My last note for today was something I saw at Malibu. The campus is amazing and there is not one plain wall in sight. They had decorated rooms and painted the windows rainbow, but the thing that stood out to me was a wall, filled with photos of students smiling and happy, and the same thing was written on every picture; "Don't dis my ability!" Greatest thing I've ever heard.
Make the most of your life because, "For every minute you are angry, you lose sixty seconds of happiness." - Ralph Waldo Emerson :)
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