Stories & Experiences | #KoalaClub

I LOOK AT HER AND SEE

Written by Gabriela Belaunde

My name is Gabriela, I am a mother of two children, the oldest is 4 years old and the youngest is 2 years old. My youngest daughter, Valentina, was born with Down Syndrome. We didn't know it at birth, so you can imagine the surprise we had. October is Down Syndrome Awareness Month and I want to take this opportunity to share one of my greatest wishes with you.

Gaby & Valen

I look at her and I struggle to see Down syndrome… and no! Don't worry! I'm very aware that my daughter has a disability, but I can't see that syndrome we were so afraid of; it's simply not there, it's gone.

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The Down syndrome I knew before, the one that labeled people with it as little angels, sick people, mongoloids, among other adjectives I prefer not to mention, no longer exists for me; it was all a lie perpetuated by society.

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I look at her and see a little girl, beautiful, full of life, witty, capricious, bossy, tender and adorable as her little brother says, mischievous at times, adventurous, playful, intelligent, and many other things that define her as a person.

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I stare at her and see her with so much love

which makes all those limits and prejudices I thought existed disappear... then I'm left thinking

What happens if we all look with those eyes?

What would happen if we looked at not only my daughter, but everyone, with love? Don't you think we would make this world a better place?

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Suddenly my wish becomes that… That all people look with eyes of love and not with eyes of prejudice.

Are you up for trying it?

@LeoncitoValiente @Emprendeleona