I've got a secret

Well, it’s not really a secret to those of us in the “know”. Those not in the “know” (muggles) like to share with us their knowledge that children with down syndrome love to smile all the time and hug constantly. Often when a muggle tells me I must love having a child with down syndrome because she is so happy I think back to this nursery rhyme in order to keep my mouth shut:

There was a little girl

Who had a little curl

Right in the middle of her forehead;

And when she was good,

She was very, very good

But when she was bad she was horrid.

But the secret we all have, and perhaps the basis for this gross generalization muggles like to repeat always keeps me smiling as I recite the nursery rhyme in my head. At risk of breaking this trust this secret must be shared:

Our kids with down syndrome are capable of sprinkling fairy dust at will. This fairy dust can do many things including making grouchy people smile, sick people feel better and sad people become happy. If harnessed correctly this dust could change the world or at least our peers.

For the next few Fridays Alex will be scattering her fairy dust in a small space in front our local grocery store for the Salvation Army. In just an hour Alex caused muggles in a hurry to slow down, folks with no money to suddenly find a few coins in their pockets and helped everyone understand this is a season of giving and celebrations.

Alex creates an aura of happiness as busy holiday muggles stress about all the things that need to be done. For a few seconds the world slows down and tidings of comfort and joy are shared.

Ring the bell and share your magic, my little secret.