Down syndrome. Error. Down syndrome Camp

For medical purposes, I realize that Trisomy 21, Down syndrome, is referred to as a birth defect, a chromosomal error, an abnormality. 



But I just can't see it that way. 

An anomaly. 

A variation. 

Yes. 

Error. 

No. 

I left Kamdyn to play in her room, and this was what I found when I came back.

I held up the camera and said, "Say cheese!".  We were shocked when she looked at the camera and said, "Cheee!"  



If I believe that science trumps God, I could easily call it error.  But if I believe, as I do, that God created the very laws of science, I can whole-heartedly embrace this anomaly of 47 chromosomes.  Kamdyn was created in God's image, just as I was and everyone else.  How could that be error?   

She was meant to be. Divinely engineered.


I would never want to live my life spiraling through the abyss of chance. The idea of chance and freak happenings feels meaningless, cold, and empty to me.

I realize this is all semantics, and I don't see the medical community changing their wording on account of me.  But words also mean something.  The phrase Down's kid is criticized, because it puts the diagnosis before the child.  Saying a child with Down syndrome is an angel or always happy is criticized, because it generalizes and glorifies and takes away from the fact that they are just a kid.

I can't let myself get too worked up over every word someone says, but words have an impact.

So it's no wonder that a child with Down syndrome could be declared a wrongful birth if their conception is deemed an error.

With that said, whether you would call it an error or not, I know that we all see our children as a beautiful gift that we are blessed to have in our lives.  And we can all agree, there is no error in that.


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The pictures above with Kamdyn in the Tinker Bell outfit were taken at Down syndrome Camp.  A mom from our local group works with her church to put on a week long camp in the evening for kids with Down syndrome.  We look forward to it every year.  Each night, there are different activities for the kids:  petting zoo, horse rides, puppet show, therapy dogs, carnival games, moon bounce, music and more. 

This year, on the last night, she did Construction Night for the boys:

Austin's truck he painted.

and a Princess Tea Party for the girls:

The grand entrance.

They put crowns on all the girls.

The girls had their nails painted:

This picture was as far as they got painting this little diva's toe nails.  She wasn't having it.

hair done:

tattoos:

and a craft:

Another nice thing about it is that they set the children up with a big buddy.  They get one on one time with their big buddy helping them. 

If you missed the posts I did last year after Down syndrome camp, you'll have to check them out.  You can see Kamdyn's first pigtails. 

Or Kamdyn trying to pick up a couple of boyfriends. (One of my favorites.)