When she was 5 years old, her and my mother went to kindergarten. After the first day, Audrey was sent home, never to return to school again. The teacher said there was no way for her to keep up with the other children.
This was back in the 1930's. There were not many support systems in place for people with Down syndrome and their families.
But Audrey learned at home. She lived in a home where both English and Dutch were spoken, and she understood both languages. She could copy words she would see in a magazine or newspaper. She was a great cleaner. She didn't talk much but could get her point across!
I remember Audrey because she would come and live by us many weekends. She lived in a group home 20 minutes from our house. I grew up just accepting her quirks and way of doing life. I loved having her visit our house. She was funny and sweet.
Looking back, I can totally see the importance and impact Audrey had in my life. Because of my time with her, I learned about Down syndrome and became familiar and comfortable with it. I saw Audrey as just another neat person in our family, not as someone who was less worthy or too different. She was just Audrey.
Because of that familiarity and acceptance, I felt very comfortable about adopting 2 children with Down syndrome. It doesn't mean that I haven't had to learn and adapt and be challenged with my parenting of our 2 kiddos, but Down syndrome has just always bee part of my life, and so it seemed very "natural" to have 2 kids with Down syndrome.
Every life is valuable and precious. God uses each life to work out His ways. Audrey helped lead our family to Jonah and Ben. What a beautiful thing to give tribute to her for.
Thank you Audrey for teaching me things I didn't even realize I would need to know until I turned 40 years old!
You have a wonderful legacy.
How much cuteness is that?
The other cutie in this photo is my mom.
Audrey and my mom were inseparable!
No comments:
Post a Comment