By Adelle Purdham | February 14, 2014

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Elyse 1st Birthday1. She is cute as a button. But then, doesn’t everyone think their baby is cute? (Mine really is!)

2. She has her own distinct personality, and gives really funny dirty looks.

3. She dances to the music.

4. She lets me know how she is feeling; and she is not always happy, though I would like her to be.

5. When it comes to developmental milestones, she always gets there, but in her own time. She has shown me the sky is the limit and to set my expectations high if that is where I want her to go.

6. Her small stature makes her easy to snuggle, and baby snuggles are the best kind.

7. She is a humble fighter. She survived life-saving surgery at a day old and definitely did not complain about it.

8. She plays games, and loves to play peek-a-boo!

9. She fixes her gaze on me and watches me intently. I get her undivided attention.

10. She helps others to see the beauty within themselves and those around them.

11. She never asks for anything, other than to be loved.

12. She helps me see the meaning of life goes much deeper than good grades, a great job and a fancy home; and that we all have an obligation to look after each other.

13. She introduced me to a caring community of people and helped me make many new friends — wonderful people — I may never have had the opportunity to meet otherwise.

14. She taught me the value of every life, and reminds me of the need to regard and treat everyone equally.

15. She exemplifies that appearances can be deceiving. There is often much more going on than meets the eye.

16. She has shown me that from the greatest heart ache imaginable can come the most beautiful joy.

17. She has made me a better person.

18. She strengthens and reaffirms my respect for education. The more we know, the better off we all are, especially when it comes to understanding each other.

19. She reminds me that everyone has talents, gifts and abilities to share with the world. You just have to look for them.

20. She strengthens our family in places we didn’t even know were weaknesses.

21. And, the number 1 reason why I love my baby with Down syndrome is because she is MY baby and I wouldn’t change her for the world.

My daughter Elyse has Down syndrome and is 14 months old. Down syndrome is a different genetic arrangement that is characterized by a tripling of the 21{+s}t chromosome, which is why I have composed 21 reasons.

World Down Syndrome Day is celebrated on March 21. May you also celebrate those whom you love in your life, and acknowledge and embrace all of our beautiful differences. Happy Valentine’s Day.

Adelle Purdham is the mother of two who lives in Ancaster.