Editor’s note: This is a guest post by Ashlyn Klinkradt. Ashlyn s 12 years old and she wrote this poem about her brother, David, who has Down syndrome.
As I Do – by Ashely Klinkradt
Do you see him as I do?
With a smile on his face.
Or is he too different to you,
That you can’t see his grace?
Do you watch him as I do?
As he struggles to share.
Or is he so hard to understand,
You don’t hear what he says?
When you look at his eyes,
Do you see hope as I do?
Or is it just the different shape
That draws attention from you?
When he stands here in front of you
Sharing his dream
Can you see past his challenges
And become part of his team?
Do you see him as I do?
As courageous and handsome.
Down syndrome brings challenges
He has had to overcome.
So let me tell you a bit
About Down syndrome itself,
It has to do with an extra chromosome
In his or her self.
It affects how you look,
How you learn, how you grow.
But some things it won’t change
Is that your feelings you know.
So take time with these children
Who are different to us
And give them a place in this world
With genuine love and with trust.
***
Ashlyn Klinkradt is 12 and in Grade 6 and is the oldest of 3 children. She has been advocating for children with disabilities since she was in Grade 1 (7 years old). At the ag of 8 she became a Chaeli Campaign Pay-It-Forward Ambassador (see www.chaelicampaign.co.za), and has been raising funds and awareness ever since. She speaks annually for Down Syndrome Awareness Day to children at her school. She has also spoken at The Durbanville Baptist Church’s ladies conference as a guest speaker (2014) and more recently she was keynote speaker at the Iris House Childrens Hospice Cuppa-4-Care fundraiser (September 2015). Ashlyn also enjoys partnering her youngest brother in wheelchair dancing, playing hockey, drama, tennis.
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What an incredible young lady! My daughter is 4 and has Jacobsen Syndrome. She has two little brothers ages 3 and almost 2. I pray my sons grow up to love and “see” their sister… Just as this little girl sees her brother <3
I have twins, two boys, and they both have Down Syndrome. I also have an older daughter. She has always been there for them, loving and caring for them, despite their disability. This poem is so sweet, and it really highlights the love siblings share. One time I had to go to a meeting, and my daughter, Allison, was going to be at a party. My boys needed a babysitter, but Allison told me not to worry, and offered that she was going to not go to the party to take care of her brothers. “They matter more to me than a party,” she said, ” Plus, they need me”. Allison looked after them, and her friends decided to cancel the party until the next night. Allison is a great example to me.