public

I love instagram. I love looking at pictures. I love posting pictures. It's nothing but fun. Until today. When I first signed up, I went back and forth on keeping my account private versus public. I had it private for a while then I wanted to join a photo challenge and made it public so I could participate. I use only my first name, no geotagging, no kids names and I rarely hashtag anything. I've found it to be a lovely community - especially in the photo challenges.

Today I posted this picture of my buddy.

I sometimes hashtag pictures of my buddy with Down syndrome. People who love someone with Ds tend to love looking at other kids with Ds. I know I do. So many adorable faces.  

Today a teenage boy commented on the picture by @ then two of his friends so they would look at the picture. The teenage friends each made a comment that wasn't horrific but certainly wasn't nice. I deleted the comments then blocked them from ever seeing another picture I posted. I then scrolled through #downsyndrome and noticed that they did it on several other pictures as well. If there was some way to tweak their ear while giving them a stern talking to, I totally would have. 

The internet seems to be all about weak people making themselves feel tough by being mean to innocent people. Because of 3 mean spirited teen boys, I contemplated making my account private again and no longer sharing my buddy with everyone. 

But I want my buddy's face out there. I want people to see him and have Down syndrome be a normal part of life. I want the stigma gone. I want doctors to congratulate new parents when their baby has Down syndrome. I don't want to hide him because of what others may think. I want to change what others think. 

The song "Baby Mine" from Dumbo makes me think of my buddy. 

If they knew sweet little you
They'd end up loving you too
All those same people who scold you
What they'd give just for

The right to hold you
From your head to your toes
You're so sweet, goodness knows
You are so precious to me
Sweet as can be, baby of mine

Everyone should be so lucky as to have that kind of love in their life.