Disability Pride Month: Nate (and his family)
“…if I had to pick one word to describe Nate it would be ‘Joy.’ Nate is joy.”
An interview with Nate’s mom, Sara. Their family lives in Wicomico County, on Maryland’s Eastern Shore.
What places in your life feel like home? What places make you feel like you Belong? What do you love about them?
We are a big, blended family of 7. Between coparenting and juggling the busy, often conflicting, schedules of 5 kids, most of the time things are chaotic. Sometimes finding the opportunities to be able to “pause” and just be able to enjoy being altogether can feel like a juggling act. But, when we are all together, no matter where we are, that feels like home.
We also feel at home when we are surrounded by our Down syndrome community. We love the feelings of just pure love and happiness that are so effortlessly spread when we get to be around other people with Down syndrome and their families. There’s really nothing quite like it! It feels like you’re part of this secret, super cool club, that no one else knows about. But what you want is for EVERYONE to know about it because to know about it and to be a part of it, is to know what it means to truly belong just as you are. THAT is a feeling of home, that I didn’t know existed until we became a part of this “super cool club.”
What is one of your dreams? Is there anything other people could do to help you achieve it?
Since becoming part of the Down syndrome community, I have discovered many dreams! Aside from seeing our son be accepted, included, celebrated, and loved throughout his life, my biggest dream is to help bring more support and resources for the Down syndrome community on the Eastern Shore. I would also love to be able to help other moms/parents who have received a diagnosis to not be afraid of the unknown but to embrace it and be excited instead. Because, if I could go back in time and tell my pregnant self all the wonderful things that I have learned in the 4 years of being Nate’s mom, I never would have been so scared. To be able to help even just one mom not feel so scared, the way I felt, is a big dream of mine.
“I want the world to know that different does NOT mean less, different isn’t scary, and different should be celebrated.” - Sara, Nate’s mom
How did you become an advocate?
I became an advocate when I became Nate’s mom. As a parent, you are always your child’s first advocate. But being the parent of a child with special needs brings that job of advocacy to a much higher level. It’s a job that has no training and just like parenthood in general, there’s not really any way to fully prepare for it. You’re thrown into it without even realizing it, using not much else besides your gut instinct to help you navigate. Until you, hopefully, find a community like DSAmd and you are connected to resources, support, and others who have maybe “been there, done that.” Then, suddenly, things become a little less scary, a little less lonely, and maybe you even find yourself wanting to help others in similar situations.
What’s something you are proud of in the last year?
We are very proud of being able to be a part of helping to make the first ever Walk-a-Thon for the DSAmd happen on the Eastern Shore last year on November 1st. And we are very excited to help make the second one happen this year!
Support Nate and Team #LoveLikeLETO, the Step Up for Down Syndrome Eastern Shore walk-a-thon co-chair this year!
Register to walk, sponsor, or donate at: StepUpEasternShore.org
What steps can other people take to better support the Down syndrome community?
The most effective way for people to better support the Down syndrome community would be to involve themselves in events that promote Down syndrome awareness and inclusion. Aside from that though, simply being kind, accepting, and welcoming towards individuals with Down syndrome is the best thing people can do. There are a lot of misconceptions about people with Down syndrome and people with disabilities in general, but if people take the time to get to know someone with Down syndrome, or someone that is differently abled, they will learn so much that they didn’t know before and probably realize that the differences aren’t as big as others might think. At the end of the day, all people, even people with disabilities, have the same basic needs. If everyone realized that, remembered it, and carried that thought process with them in their day-to-day life, I believe the world would be just a little bit better.
What would you like to see at events and activities to make them more accessible for people with Down syndrome?
Making events and activities more accessible for people with Down syndrome is simple. Common things like making sure events are accessible, just like they should be for anyone that might be differently-abled, is the most common and effective way. Other things include having sensory friendly areas or activities, making sure that outdoor events have barriers or people vigilant of entrances/exits, roads, bodies of water etc. to ensure everyone’s safety and prevent anyone from wandering off is very important! I also love to see events that have the option of music and dancing because I know a lot of people with Down syndrome, especially Nate, LOVE to dance and have fun!
