Different, Not Less

I saw this quote on Facebook yesterday:

Different
not less

and thought about how that applies to Kayla.

Yes she is different in that she has an extra chromosome. (But really, how 'different' is she? A lot of people out there have an extra - or even missing - chromosome. There are other people who have a single simian crease across the palm of their hand, others who have Brushfield spots in their eyes, others who have speech issues, others who have cognitive delays.)

But having a difference does not make her less.

It doesn't make her
...less than human.
...less of a daughter, granddaughter, sister, niece, cousin.
...less than a friend.
...less deserving of life.
...less deserving of opportunities - educational and employment.
...less deserving of love.
...less deserving of respect.
...less deserving of the chance to play sports.
...less deserving of a chance.

She's not
...less capable of learning.
...less capable of love.
...less capable of being a friend.
...less capable of being able to play.
...less capable of knowing how to laugh.
...less capable of hurting.
...less capable of having fun.
...less capable of experiencing and enjoying life.
...less capable of following the rules.
...less capable of having a job.
...less capable of having feelings.

Different, yes. But not less. Not less than anything.