Model Amanda Booth opens up about raising a child with Down Syndrome, and everyone should hear this
Unfortunately, the world we live in can still be a difficult place for children born with special needs — but model Amanda Booth is doing something about it. She’s vowing to defy Down Syndrome stereotypes through her son Micah, who was born with the syndrome.
Booth says she needs people to see Micah for who he is — not through their assumptions about him, and we think this is incredibly important — especially because there are so many unique, creative people born with Down Syndrome who deserve to be recognized for who they are — not for a syndrome with which they were born.
In an essay for Harper’s Bazaar, Booth admits that before Micah was born, she knew very little about Down Syndrome or special-needs children. She didn’t even know that her son had the syndrome until after he was born.
“When Micah was born, there were so many complications and doubts, but it was in those moments that I discovered his strength; and he taught me to see mine.”
#fbf to sleepy baby beach days. #family
A photo posted by Amanda Booth (@amanda_booth) on Aug 19, 2016 at 8:36pm PDT
Booth and her husband began researching life with a special-needs child using social media, specifically Instagram. Eventually, they decided to share their own experience as special needs parents. Booth wrote,
“A few months after settling into our new roles as parents to a child with special needs, we started our social media outreach. Mainly because I had found so much comfort in seeing other little ones flourish, I felt a responsibility to be that for other people.”
All black Wednesday. #momandme #momstyle #coordinate
A photo posted by Amanda Booth (@amanda_booth) on Apr 13, 2016 at 9:20am PDT
A photo posted by Amanda Booth (@amanda_booth) on Jun 28, 2016 at 8:43pm PDT
For Booth, raising a child with special needs means sharing her experience for those who are just starting out on their journey with a special needs child, as well as normalizing the experience for everyone else.
“Now that Micah has grown into a very typical, tornado of a toddler, I’m able to give myself a little shift in my parenting needs: I am starting my advocacy for my son. I need people to see him for who he is. I need them to recognize his ability, and to allow themselves to give him the opportunity to succeed. I need them to not miss out on the love that he has to give. He won’t miss out, that’s my job.”
We think it’s incredible that Booth is sharing her experiences as a parent to a special-needs child. Booth’s platform as a public figure is sure to help destigmatize special needs people and debunk stereotypes about differently-abled individuals.
Thank you so much for sharing your story, Amanda!
The post Model Amanda Booth opens up about raising a child with Down Syndrome, and everyone should hear this appeared first on HelloGiggles.
