One of those people is Casey. Casey has been a contact of mine for quite awhile on Facebook. Only recently, did I become aware that Casey has Mosaic Down Syndrome. I asked him to write a piece for our website and he happily agreed!
This man amazes me. He does so much in regards to advocating for individuals with Down syndrome. He is a father, a husband and an amazing human being!
But don't take my word for it!
Mosaic Down Syndrome
Hello Everyone. My name is Casey Morton. And I have a form of empathy that has a foundation in relation to your self, and your children. On a level, I hope to help gain hope, and look to the future with wide eyes, and a hopefully an honest reassurance that can bring something for each person reading on. I am 29, I am a father of two, and my youngest is 2 yrs of age and his older brother is 8yrs [with a form of autism]. And I myself have something that is called Mosaic Down Syndrome. I’m turning 30 by new years eve, and am also on the Board of Directors at IMDSA (International Mosaic Down Syndrome Association) as also its Newsletter editor.
I like to think, I have accomplished a good amount of things. Yet, I was a young man and knew the feeling of my diagnosis very well; Mosaic Down Syndrome as both a curse, and a blessing. Feeling very abnormal, and not to sure if I was normal. Relating to mythological beings on the movie screen, because of how detached I felt growing up with family and the people around me. My comfort was at home usually by my self, in my room or in front of the television, or listening to music daydreaming. Feeling isolated and agoraphobic; with frustration on everything outside my front door. See when I was inside my room, home, or wherever I felt normal, when I was outside felt I could I feel fingers pointing and the staring. Now, I did have a few friends, yet could never fully relate. “Should I tell them?” –Or- “would they still let me hang-out if they knew?”
Later on for me, it was the birth of my son that really got some real sense knocked into me. With his brother, and mother I now have a loving family! I completely adore them all and would do anything for. We are just like any family, just like you. We go on daily, and work things out as everyone else does. And, I never feel that I’m above, or behind the pack… I’m here to simply help, as a friend.
Casey Morton
"Having Down syndrome is like being born normal. I am just like you and you are just like me. We are all born in different ways, that is the way I can describe it. I have a normal life."
~ Chris Burke
