Beautiful Family Photos Raise Awareness Of Down’s Syndrome

Raising a child with Down’s syndrome can be a daunting experience. The genetic condition is caused by the presence of an extra chromosome 21 in the body’s cell and is completely random in who it affects.

But while it does come with some degree of learning disability, it doesn’t have to hold the child back – something that Alan Lawrence is trying to promote.

As part of his brood of five children, Alan has an 18-month-old son, Wil, who was born with the condition.

Alan describes learning about Wil’s condition as a “shock and a surprise to our family” as he and his wife knew very little about Down’s syndrome before their son arrived.

“We don’t know anybody who has Down’s syndrome… so we weren’t quite sure what to expect,” he says. But while Alan and his family may not have known much about the condition previously, they’re making it their mission to make sure the whole world is more educated on Down’s syndrome.

Alan, who’s a web designer and photographer in Utah, has put his camera skills to good use and captured Wil ‘flying’ in various scenarios. Each photo shows Wil zooming around in the air while carrying on with his day-to-day life, such as eating his lunch or blowing bubbles. Alan takes the pics while holding his son and then edits himself out.

Also starring Wil’s big brothers and sisters and parents, we think you’ll agree there’s a certain magical quality to each snapshot.

“These photos are our way of illustrating the excitement and joy Wil has brought to our lives and also the fact that people with Down’s syndrome can do anything they set their minds to,” says Alan, who also writes a blog called That Dad Blog.

“We realise Wil is still young, but we know that even though he has Down’s syndrome it doesn’t mean he is limited, he will be able to do anything he puts his mind to.”

As well as raising awareness, the dad-of-five is hoping to raise some cash with the project, which he’s named Bringing Light. Alan hopes to take enough photos to create a calendar with his ‘Wil Can Fly’ images – you can contribute to his efforts by supporting their Kickstarter project.

Understanding Down’s Syndrome
Down’s syndrome isn’t all that common – it affects around one in 1000 babies born in the UK and affects people to different degrees.

“Whilst there are certain physical characteristics that are more common, people with Down’s syndrome will share more physical features with other people in their family than with other people with Down’s syndrome,” says a spokesperson for the Down’s Syndrome Association.

“But the most important thing to remember is that everyone with Down’s syndrome is an individual, with their own strengths and weaknesses and personality traits that make them who they are.”

A sweet video released last year made headlines for giving a voice to 15 adults who have grown up with the condition. In the video, each adult explains to parents expecting a baby with Down’s Syndrome that their child can be happy.

[Dear Future Mom: Down’s Syndrome Video Reassures Parents Expecting A Baby With The Condition]

[When A Young Cheerleader With Down’s Syndrome Was Bullied, The Basketball Team Stepped In To Defend Her]