DOWN SYNDROME and the YELLOW RAINCOAT

Years ago on rainy days (think early “Dick and Jane” books), many children trundled off to school in shiny yellow raincoats. Remember those old illustrations?

Now picture your child with Down syndrome wearing one of those impenetrable yellow raincoats. In fact, the raincoat IS Down syndrome. It covers the child; it keeps everything hidden, unknown. At first, you notice that all the raincoats look alike; after all, most were genetically manufactured in a single factory, located at Chromosome No. 21.

Buttons

When you notice that the raincoat has buttons, flashes of possibilities might flit briefly across your mind. Buttons. Yes…there are buttons! Maybe, just maybe, you can help Down syndrome to hang a little looser around your child.

Unbutton

I’m here to tell you, “Yes, you can!” And you will. It’s your job to unbutton that raincoat, roll up the sleeves, and give that child within some breathing room. In the process, you will yourself experience a welcome zephyr of relief, if not awe.

My Yellow Raincoat Theory postulates that Down syndrome does not completely cover our children, and that it never can. It is incapable of cloaking the brilliant flashes, the thrilling qualities hiding in our children; and so they remain untouched, unaffected, and completely outside the grasp of Down syndrome.

Hide-and-Seek

Further, my theory proposes that these children are perfect, unique, and immensely gifted in ways parents themselves can only dream of being. It’s as if the raincoat signals the start of a lifelong game of hide-and-seek: “Here I am. Do you recognize me? Can you find me?” And the child laughs and runs off. The game is on.