I had to take a minute to blog about the recent Target advertisement showing an adorable little boy with Down Syndrome. To Target - I say you have a loyal customer.
To another retailer I have blogged about in the past, who puts out a sham of a catalog each year for "differently-abled" children, and could not be bothered to answer letters, phone calls, or respond to e-mails, I hope you are seeing all the buzz about this ad and realizing a few things.
Children like my son need to see themselves as accepted, not segregated as "differently abled." If you truly knew children you would realize that every single child in the history of the world has been "differently-abled" and your attempt at "skill coding" your products should be done anyway - for all children. My son needs another label thrust upon him about as much as he needs you pointing out his differences.
If You Have to Talk About It - You Ain't Got It.
Whether it be a trash talking athlete who continually boasts their greatness or a retailer who has to call attention to their *ahem* compassion by putting out a "differently-abled" catalog, you haven't got a clue about the families you are trying to woo.
This Target ad speaks for itself, a picture of diversity - no doubt a calculated decision, but the right one. You wouldn't dream of segregating a child for any other reason - why is it acceptable to do so in the case of children with Down Syndrome?
Simply allowing children with Down Syndrome to be part of the big picture does many things.
It sends a message that all children are equal.
It shows that children with Down Syndrome are just as beautiful as every other child.
It shows respect.
My children are only special to me. To everyone else, they must be treated with equality.
