Dear future mum and dad

I’ve just been born and I’m sorry you’re sad. I know it’s because you love me. You are crying because there are so many things you think I won’t be able to do.

Man, are you wrong!

A long way from now I will marry an amazing man called James Carter. I will have no words to describe how much I love him and care for him. I will get a job I love in a children’s hair salon, I will do the stock take, take card payments, book appointments, answer the phone, manage the social media and much more.

You’ll soon realise that you don’t have to worry about me being a ‘burden’ on my siblings – my siblings absolutely love me and have learnt a lot from me. They have learnt the art of patience because I may learn a little slower, and I have taught them how to live life, sing loud, have confidence, and stay positive. You will dry your eyes and see my potential and soon enough treat me the same as my siblings. I will inspire my brother and sister to go in to teaching and charity work with people with disabilities. You’ll also discover that I am an amazing aunty and role model to my cheeky 9-year-old nephew.

Will you believe me if I tell you that I am going to become an internet sensation and take the world by storm? I think you will because you are the ones who tell me I will go far.

Me and my extra chromosome will be shortlisted for a National Diversity Award, speak outside Parliament, tell my story of independent living at the World Down Syndrome Congress, influence laws in different countries, be interviewed on loads of TV channels and be a loud, brave voice for people with Down’s syndrome.

So, you don’t need to worry about my quality of life: I love my life!
Hakuna Matata, Mum and Dad – it means no worries! We’ll be saying that together soon.

Yours, with love,
Heidi Carter

Campaigner and Down syndrome advocate, Support Assistant