Imagine

This isn’t creative persuasion. Take fifteen seconds, and actually try to really imagine feeling the following way; physically and emotionally pretend this is who you really
are, while living in your community today.

Imagine a world where people take their time, yet are extraordinarily punctual nonetheless; a world where people love to sing all day and dance each night.

Imagine those who didn’t speak, express their world with only color and music; and those who could, speak only with fairness and candid honesty, and never lie.
Imagine affection replacing frustration, and aggression and hostility is hardly visible.

Imagine standing still for a moment, unrushed, and smiling at the simplest sight of honey thick sunshine. Imagine distinctively realizing the very moments when a rain
drop tickles your nose, and it makes you laugh.

Imagine a world where most everyone is patient; they joyfully smile and are usually very loving and kind.

Imagine being brave and fearless to challenge any adventure; and although a little slower, you are accurate and precise, almost always.

Imagine that every achievement, none too small to recognize, becomes a treasured souvenir toward the very definition of your basic humanity. Imagine.
Meet Kelli

“Hi, hello and how do you do? We are the Bulldogs and we’d like to welcome you,” proudly cheers Kelli”  
Ask her how old she is, and her tiny, squeaky voice will sound off with declaration, “I’m six” says Kelli Gill, as she simultaneously counts off her on little finger tips in
order to prove her statement.

Adorable; as any six-year-old child would appear while they bask in their accomplishment; but for Kelli, being six, and living with Down syndrome is one of them.

However, Kelli in all her blissful innocence doesn’t know just how lucky she really is; after all, she is just Kelli, to herself, and all who know her.

These imagined attributes are indeed a reality; they are the most predefined qualities and known personality traits of children with Down syndrome.

Yet, for too long, our society’s focus has been to recognize what is genetically lacking rather than what may appear enhanced.

Of course as nature will have its way, all bliss will carry its burden. While these noticeably appealing qualities are commonly evident in a child with DS there are many
physical and intellectual challenges and concerns that follow; at times quite serious.

There are 350,000 people alive today with DS. Downs occurs in all human population; impairs cognitive ability, and physical growth challenges range from mild to
moderate. It is a result of chromosome 21 being triplicated instead of doubled in a fetus.

“When the doctor told us we were having a child with DS, it was never a question of will we, but rather how will we?” says Kelli’s mother, Doreen Gill.

Mrs. Gill and her husband Bill, of Bethlehem, PA, returned home from the hospital, and immediately began their search to learn and understand what does this mean for
them.

“I remember thinking to myself, how will we do this,” says Doreen.  With a nostalgic tone she adds a pleasant memory.