I'm a sucker for cute kids. Who isn't, right? But a little girl named Maddox McClintic is more than just your everyday adorable toddler. The 2-year-old with Down syndrome is quickly becoming the best reminder to the world that special needs kids are more than their diagnosis.
A clever (and now viral) video made by Maddox's mom, Jamie, specifically to teach a lesson to people who call her little girl a mongoloid or retard is striking a nerve with the special needs community. Through the now popular YouTube trick of flashing cards at the screen, Jamie McClintic explains that everything people assume about her daughter is wrong.
The video is too powerful not to share, but first, pop quiz time: when you hear the words "Down syndrome," what do you picture? A child with upward slanting eyes and a flattened nose? A child with diminished mental capacity? Or do you just picture a person? Period? Get ready to have your mind changed.
It's hard to say it better than that. Although the words on the McClintic family's website do it pretty well: "I am just like any other child, I am not fragile, I like to laugh, play, cry, and have all the same feelings, emotions, and desire for acceptance that you do. "
Trying to lump kids into one group because of their diagnosis is a pervasive problem in the special needs community, and it stretches much farther than any of us would expect. Last week when I shared a story right here on The Stir about a mother whose son has autism, I heard many moms of children on the spectrum voice frustrations with school districts that fail to realize that autism affects every kid differently!
If school professionals supposedly trained to work with kids don't know, the chance that these kids can get a fair shake from the general public is slim to none. And yet, that's why videos like the McClintic's are so important to share, why seeing Maddox's beautiful little face behind those words is so impactful. We need to start looking at these kids as just that: kids. Beautiful, wonderful, unique kids.
Tell us about the special needs kid in your life. What makes them so special TO YOU?
Image via McClintic Family/YouTube
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Comments 67
Most of these comments are absolutely ridiculous! I absolutely loved the video! Touched my heart!!! Very cute little girl!!
WOW, I cant believe the nerve of some people. Who cares about the flash cards. The video was beautiful.
She is beautiful! Born on my daughter's Birthday as well! Good day!
Im currently 38 1/2 weeks pregnant and this video touched my heart. i cant imagaine what this mom is going through but i do know that every child is a blessing no matter if they have down syndrome or any other "problem" . i applaude this mom for standing up for her child and being there for her when half the world looks the other way or is hateful.
zizzler-so what should be done with this cute girl since she will be a "drain on the system"? Why not give her the opportunities to prove that she can give to the system, be a part of society and pull her own weight. I know some very wonderful adults with DS. They have jobs, and live on their own. In FACT they have a daughter of their own...and she does not have DS(no one really understands why). They have never been on any type of assistance at all either. How about them apples? Even "normal" children can grow up to be drains on society...how many people in prison have DS? How many gang members have DS?