Today is World Down Syndrome Awareness Day and the theme is With Us, Not For Us. The theme may sound a bit odd until you think of how we might unconsciously "other" those with Down Syndrome.  According to Down Syndrome International: 
"The message of With Us Not For Us is key to a human rights-based approach to disability. DSi is committed to moving on from the outdated charity model of disability, where people with disability were treated as objects of charity, deserving of pity and relying on others for support." 

Did you know that children born with this syndrome usually lead full, healthy lives averaging 60 years? In spite of that fact, since the pre-natal screening for birth deformities has been available, many mothers with a positive test result are aborting their babies. The screeing is only 85% accurate, leading to false positives.  We personally know of a few moms who were told that their baby would have Down Syndrome.  They rejected the idea of abortion and their babies were born perfectly fine.  

Here at Aspire, we salute the moms and dads of Down Syndrome children and pray for our society to see ALL of God's children for what their are: a blessing from God Himself.  

​Tomorrow Wednesday, March 8th has been designated International Women's Day. The banner below is from the United Nations website in "honor" of this day. Notice one BIG glaring omission? Every single woman is on a device. Where are the children? Not one of these women is holding a child, baking bread, feeding her family, or is even shown as having a family or husband!
This is what those in places of power want for us women: fighting to climb corporate ladders, or being absorbed in social media instead of doing what we were designed to do! We were created to nurture, create and care. Tomorrow, let's let go of what the world wants us to do and celebrate all those who love life, care for family members and others, do the tough work of raising families and being married, or being celibate until marriage. Let's celebrate what the Lord has said is "good"!