Bored Panda works better on our iPhone app
Continue in app Continue in browser

BoredPanda Add post form topAdd Post
Tooltip close

The Bored Panda iOS app is live! Fight boredom with iPhones and iPads here.

After Losing My Sister 4 Years Ago, I Decided To Do This Photoshoot
User submission
11.3K
101.1K

After Losing My Sister 4 Years Ago, I Decided To Do This Photoshoot

ADVERTISEMENT

I am one of those people who have been greatly blessed by growing up with a sister who had Down Syndrome. Dina was the best thing that could have ever happened to our family. She taught us what true unconditional love is and how to go through life without worries. She would light up any room that she walked into, and people were always drawn to her sweet yet stubborn personality. When I think back, my mind automatically goes to my childhood memories with her. Good memories with her. My mom and Dina were the absolute best of friends and were completely inseparable, and she and my dad had a bond that couldn’t be broken. People that knew our family and knew Dina always say how Dina more than doubled her life expectancy and lived a wonderful life because of how great my family was with her. My parents are saints. They gave their all to make sure their special needs child lived a life full of happiness.

Ever since I started doing photography, I’ve always had the desire to photograph kids with Down Syndrome. I chose to do this photoshoot not only for my own pleasure but to help raise awareness about Down Syndrome. I wanted to be able to turn my photo ideas into art that would capture the true beauty of those with special needs. Nothing brings me more joy than being around those who have Down Syndrome. Everything about them makes me smile.

I hoped that my photos would be shared and that people would see how blessed these families are. After doing this photoshoot, I was told by one of the mothers that the abortion rate of those who find out that their child may have Down Syndrome is at 92%. That abortion rate is way higher than I ever imagined. That being said, if I can help lower that abortion rate just by sharing my photos, then I succeeded. I want to change minds. I want people to see these children and know that if they have a baby who has been diagnosed with Down Syndrome, although it may be scary, they will be blessed beyond words.

If you are that person who is going through the emotional roller coaster of just finding out that your child has Down Syndrome, please know that you are about to encounter a love that surpasses all of your expectations.

ADVERTISEMENT

More info: Facebook

I am one of those people who have been greatly blessed by growing up with a sister who had Down Syndrome

My sister Dina was our family’s greatest joy and biggest blessing

Dina passed away 4 years ago due to congestive heart failure which is often common in those with Down Syndrome

ADVERTISEMENT

She was the best thing that could have ever happened to our family

She taught us what true unconditional love is and how to go through life without worries

ADVERTISEMENT

Ever since I started doing photography, I’ve always had the desire to photograph kids with Down Syndrome

Nothing brings me more joy then being around those who have Down Syndrome. Everything about them makes me smile

ADVERTISEMENT

I hoped that my photos would be shared and that people would see how blessed these families are

I chose to do this photo shoot not only for my own pleasure but to help raise awareness about Down Syndrome

I found out that abortion rate of those who find out that their child may have Down Syndrome is at 92%

ADVERTISEMENT

That being said, if I can help lower that abortion rate just by sharing my photos, then I succeeded

I want to change minds

ADVERTISEMENT

I want people to see these children and know that if they are having a baby who has been diagnosed with Down Syndrome, they will be blessed beyond words

ADVERTISEMENT

101Kviews

Share on Facebook
Julie Willson

Julie Willson

Author, Community member

Read more »

This lazy panda forgot to write something about itself.

Read less »
Julie Willson

Julie Willson

Author, Community member

This lazy panda forgot to write something about itself.

What do you think ?
Add photo comments
POST
RandyAllos
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Beautiful and happy children, no doubt. But I would think that many couples who decide to abort then try again and have children that do NOT have down syndrome, children just as happy and beautiful that would have never been born had they decided to keep the disabled fetus. So it is really about each couple's choice and opinion about abortion, not about how cute the photos are.

StarrBeam
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My thoughts exactly. These photos are lovely, but they don't stay that way, they grow up. Parents die. Who takes care of them once their main care givers are gone? As a parent I would think that they take all those instances into account when making that decision.

Load More Replies...
Load More Comments
RandyAllos
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Beautiful and happy children, no doubt. But I would think that many couples who decide to abort then try again and have children that do NOT have down syndrome, children just as happy and beautiful that would have never been born had they decided to keep the disabled fetus. So it is really about each couple's choice and opinion about abortion, not about how cute the photos are.

StarrBeam
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My thoughts exactly. These photos are lovely, but they don't stay that way, they grow up. Parents die. Who takes care of them once their main care givers are gone? As a parent I would think that they take all those instances into account when making that decision.

Load More Replies...
Load More Comments
Related on Bored Panda
Related on Bored Panda
Trending on Bored Panda
Also on Bored Panda