An Open Letter to A Troll

Dear Troll,


Since I started blogging about my son Quinn and his disability, I knew this day would come. There’s no shortage of trolls on the internet who hide behind the anonymity of a screen name with the intent to be cruel, and I’ve seen their hostility many times before. In fact, just last week, in the wake of a robbery at the Down Syndrome Association of Houston’s headquarters, in which $10,000 worth of technology was stolen, there was no shortage of ignorant comments on the news story reporting the incident. One user asked, “how will they learn to count to potato?” Another claimed that wasting computers on “retards” was stupid anyway and that the organization deserved to be robbed. These comments, while offensive, simply serve to showcase people’s hate-fueled ignorance and aren’t worth my time. I grimace when I read them, but realize there’s little to be done about such stupidity. 

I don't want to make assumptions about you, but I can guess from your immaturity and ignorance that you know little about the helplessness that parents feel when caring for a sick infant with respiratory issues. Quinn was sick last week, but was feeling much better by Friday. We decided to sit in the backyard and soak up the sun after school. There aren't many things in this world more beautiful than seeing your recently-ill child light up in a smile, and I snapped a few photos to celebrate his recovery, then posted them on Instagram with the hashtag “#downsyndrome.” I love to look through those photos myself in my spare time because damn if those kiddos aren’t adorable. Of course, you feel differently because you found this photo and left a comment with one simple word: 

Ugly.





 
























The fact that you find my child ugly is one thing. You are entitled to your opinion. But the fact that you intentionally search #downsyndrome to find pictures to insult (sadly, Quinn is not the only victim of your behavior; I came across many other inflammatory responses) is both childish and sad. Your profile is also full of offensive posts and crude statements, all of which point to your own illiteracy. In one such photo, featuring two kids with Down syndrome and the word “wiitard,” you get bent out of shape because many, MANY people called you on you prejudice. You claim it was a joke and that people should lighten up. But what about purposefully seeking out pictures of our children? What about the fact that a beautiful photograph of my son was tarnished by your hatred? That’s not a joke. That’s cyberbullying. Needless to say, I reported your profile, which has been removed.

This will not be the last time someone discounts my son because he is different. It will not be last time someone makes a joke at his expense, but to actively seek out actual people to tease goes beyond cruel. It’s inhuman. 

I recognize that you want to see me get worked up about your little “joke.” I’ll be honest, it’s hard not to be angry about it, but I can’t allow myself to carry that weight on my shoulders. I can’t allow myself to feel anything but sorry for an individual with so little tact. Because in end, you will be the one to face the consequences of your choices someday. There are few people in this world who tolerate that kind of backwards thinking, and you’ll eventually mouth off to the wrong person. My guess is that you already have, which is why you hide behind a screen name like a coward.

God knows there were plenty of cruel adolescent boys in my time: boys who took pleasure in pranks and jokes at others’ expense. There were even a few of them that were directed at me, but it gave me tough skin and I grew from the experience of facing such mistreatment. Maybe that’s why I’m willing to let this one go; I know where most of those boys ended up and it’s nowhere I’d want to be. And as a teacher, I've seen kids like you crash and burn. Go outside. Read a book. Compliment someone. Most importantly, enlighten yourself; there's already enough cruelty in this world and anyone worth their salt should be striving to make this place better, not worse.

I simply hope my own children learn to look past ignorant comments and actions and treat others with respect and dignity. We all deserve it, even you.


Sincerely,

A Proud Mama

Comments

  1. I think you should spend your time no worrying about what one troll said.. he basically wins when you pour all your time and effort into an open letter than only middle aged mothers will read.. just ignore comments like that.

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    1. omg - are you serious! The prevailing thought is to ignore trolls especially the really nasty ones. That they thrive off the reaction they get. That may be the truth but to continue to ignore unacceptable behaviour is to give quiet acceptance of that person's right to write posts that border on, or are outright racist, sexist, discriminatory, etc. And your comment about "only middle aged mothers will read" clearly shows your lack of perception, intelligence and wisdom. The blog post doesn't strike me as someone 'worrying' about 'one troll' - it very much represents a clear refusal to let trolls and bullies continue without consequences. Because people who hide behind 'anonymous' postings and their computer screens are not only bullies - they are cowards.

      Shelley
      (Using my Google ID which is getting updated)
      Web Designer and Mom to two wonderful girls
      Sister to a terrific Brother (An Adult with a developmental disability)
      Supporting people with developmental disabilities everywhere

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    2. You have so a wunderful and cute boy. :-)many greetings from germany!

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    3. If this is the case, then I must be on the wrong page. I'm no middle aged mother. I am a college student, an Alpha Xi Delta, a proud supporter of Autism Speaks, and apparently, one of the few people left in this world who was raised to stand up for what you believe in and to not tolerate closed-minded, hateful behavior. I love that this post is circulating through the internet. I found it via Twitter, and posts like those just go to show that the internet is a powerful place, and even blogs that "only middle aged mothers will read" can have a great impact on cyber awareness.

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    4. I am sharing this letter in my facebook, google plus and more; I am not middle age, but I have someone I care that has a disability. He is not my son but lights up my life every time I see him smile. I guess I am tired to see the ignorant people be cruel.
      I am empowering this mom by sharing her letter and spreading the word.

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    5. Your son is BEYOND adorable and sadly there are many in the world like the ignorant person who wrote ugly ...but you know what? , They are UGLY on the inside and not worth the time of good decent people.

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    6. This letter was NOT a waste of time. This open letter is empowering! The words written here need to be shared with the world. We need daily reminders that people like the author of this letter exist and that they stand up to bullies but also don't fight fire with fire. Writing this letter was time well spent. Even if it didn't change the mind of the bully, it was both therapeutic for the writer and the world!

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    7. I think a lot more than just "middle aged mothers" have read this letter. It's going around the world at this very moment. I'm a MALE student from Germany and I read this letter on various sites.

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    8. As a Former Child / Disability Advocate plus a trainer of Handicap Assistance Dogs, I applaud your response to the Troll. I have seen many children who have had to do things differently, Playing sports for one. Yes they can play sports, run and have fun. It is narrow minded people that have a problem with it, even some educators, I should say Administrators who are afraid to spend the money for accessibility. Others just ignore it and hope it will go away. There are hospital personnel that are also guilty also Like the nurse that refused to allow me and my Assistance Dog in to see my wife and newborn son, it took security to solve the problem. She was still employed there but I hope she learned about ADA.
      One of my good friend has down syndrome and is a great friend. Maybe the troll should get out of his basement and look around the world to see the beautiful children and people out there, that are not hateful in the conversations.

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    9. There are people who are skilled at discovering a person's identity in matters like this. they could find out who this "anonymous" person is and post all his identifying information on the internet and someone would probably go and pay them a "special" visit to straighten them out.

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    10. The truth of the matter is this woman has courage. Raising a "Normal-?" child in today's society is a major undertaking. I give her my hopes & prayers as she deserves much more. The problem is we cannot fix "STUPID" and the commentators are just that!.

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    11. Anonymous...you are truly a simpleton! You obviously have no clue about life or compassion (mostly your parents fault)! It's your ignorance and others' just like you, that make our daily lives a challenge! Because I guarantee you, if you were donate even 1 hr to a special needs child, your life would be enriched beyond belief. It would give you the insight to a families struggle, not just financially but emotionally. The true love that these children have would look at you, even if you were to judge them, with love and kindness and would be accepting of you as you are, much unlike you of them. The pure love that a parent has for a child with special needs is very evident just with the hope that perhaps they will walk or speak or even recognize you. Why would you want to make our lives more difficult than it already is? Why not be a part of a solution, rather than a problem? You would get so much more out of the true love of a child, rather than hurting the already raw emotions of a family who struggles daily! Rather than hiding behind our struggles, why not stand beside us and make a difference? Try and take my challenge to heart and think about what I've said, you have the power to be a healer not hurtful. I guarantee that you will receive so much more than what you are getting now!

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    12. Hey not ONLY middle aged mom's will read this, that is nonsense. I happen to be a MIDDLE AGE dad so obviously you are dead wrong, if I am reading it than you can count on many, many more middle aged dad's reading this. And no I am not some wimp with nothing better too do, I happen too be 6'2" 220 pounds and am an avid outdoorsman that loves too hunt and fish. I happen too have ONE CHILDREN and SHE is a girl and i love her to death BUT I would give anything to have a boy like that too take fishing or hunting with me as hunting is not what my daughter really calls fun. Anyway there are more than JUST middle aged mom's reading this.

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  2. First and foremost, if you think 30 is middle-aged, I think you need to gain a little life perspective. Second, the letter was anything but "all my time and effort." I wrote it rather quickly and because writing is a cleansing process for me. I do think you're right that this troll will never see it. To be honest, I'm perfectly fine with that, as he would likely feed on my response to begin with. But that doesn't mean I don't have the right to respond. If I feel better after it, then it was worth said time and effort.

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    1. What a cute little fella. Downs children are God's little angels here on Earth. Megan, there are a lot more good people than bad in the world. Because some knucklehead went out of his way to be mean is sad, but I hope you are encouraged by the kinder folks. You have much more important things to do than give mind to a fool. God bless you and your family.

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    2. I think this baby is really cute!! I love the pictures and seems to be soo happy. :-D:-Di hope those kind.of idiots who think like this about children will get what they.reserve!

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    3. i think your son is beautiful he has a smile that would melt many hearts mine especially and would light the darkest day ,i have a daughter with special needs and know what a daily struggle it is to ignore others ignorance i applaud you for your response to this pathetic human who sees fit to abuse a beautiful innocent child well done and i hope your son continues to grow from stength to strength he is adorable

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    4. I think Quinn is adorable and happy! You are a wonderful mom!

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    5. Quinn is a wonderful and BEAUTIFUL little boy and I am so glad he is better. His joy in that picture is infectious! I want to thank you for responding to the "troll" who felt the need to be a jerk. Too much tolerance in the name of righteousness emboldens these people. I don't mean to lower to their level, but your response was a light shined on the cockroaches and show them for what they are. We won't get rid of them, but we don't have to put up with them either. God bless you and Quinn and the rest of your family.

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    6. He's so sweet. Give him a hug & kiss for me!
      (daughter, wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother. Just admitting to being middle-aged)

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    7. Good for you for getting your message out there, whether the troll sees it or not. My first thought when I saw the picture was, my, that is one heck of a cute kid! What a beautiful smile he has and I know he can light up the life of anyone he comes in contact with. It is so sad that there are so many ignorant a-holes out there with nothing better to do. Just know that this person leads a sad life and isn't happy with themselves and would rather attack an innocent child than improve his/her self.

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  3. Your son is adorable! And so happy! It's amazing that cowardly people find the internet a place to hide in anonymity and say unkind things people. Good for you mama for saying what needs to be said. Is that an amber teething necklace your son is wearing? I just got one for my son, do you find it makes a difference?

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  4. Hi! Found your article on Huffington Post. I'm a new parent - we have a 6-week-old little girl who is just amazing and adorable. Really liked your article. There are way too many idiots out there who make stupid comments and have no compassion or empathy. Your son looks happy, and now that I'm a parent, I know how amazing every moment with them is. The photos you posted of him are really cute. One thing you write in our post struck me...that you know "where most of those boys ended up." That's so true. I remember being in grade school and seeing the bullies and crude kids that made everyone miserable. I remember being consciously aware that those kids were likely never going to achieve much, that they'd never find true happiness because they were so hell-bent on being mean to everyone else. Guess what? Most of those kids turned out exactly how I imagined they would. No happiness. No family. No achievements. Nothing to be proud of but their criminal record. So kudos to you for fighting back! :)

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  5. I don't agree with the ignoring approach being applied across the board, there are times when you should take a stand and call someone on their ignorant, bigoted behavior. I think that the trolling culture that has emerged along with the proliferation of anonymous access to the internet via wireless hotspots is just one of those things that attracts the bottom feeders of society, in a different time they would be wearing pointy white hats or goose stepping.

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  6. Your son is beautiful! Don't let anyone tell you otherwise. I love his smile - you can tell that he is enjoying life. (And is certainly enjoying life more than a troll who has nothing better to do than make ignorant comments.) As a father of two young boys, I know what happy looks like...and Quinn is happy. That's all that matters.

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  7. Looks to me like Jusescrusthd is off the air. After doing a search all their posts have been taken down. Good work. It mattered that you wrote the letter!

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  8. Megan, I think you're a class act. We could use more people like you in this world. God bless you and your beautiful family.

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  9. I'm 37 and a father of two boys. For that smile, I would give him a piggy-back ride. Even if it meant walking over broken glass. Have you ever seen something so perfectly beautiful that a swelling overtook your chest, rushed into your neck, right up under the eyes, and boiled over in tears. That is what happened to me when I saw your son's pic. The words "jack-pot lucky" don't even begin to describe your fortune as a mother. There is strength in numbers...count our family alongside yours.

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  10. Hi, Megan! I think Quinn is adorable--just like my precious grandson. He looks about the same age as Liam who just turned two. Oh, yes, the medical issues! What a nightmare! But things are looking up for us, and we are looking to the future as you are. You might be interested to know that in my new series (coming by May), I have a DS character, a young man named Danny, who lives independently, has a good job, has discovered a talent for photography--and most of all, a keen sense of who people are in relation to him. He comes out on top every time. I'm dedicating the books to Liam, of course! I'm book marking your blog so I can keep up with Quinn, too. Thanks for sharing!
    www.judythewordplace.blogspot.com
    www.judynickles.com

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  11. Hellow fellow Megan, I just read about this on viralnova. I just wanted to say you are a wonderful and courageous mom, to stand up to a bully. Your son is absolutely one of the most beautiful children I have ever seen, it actually brought tears to my eyes when I looked at his pictures after reading what that troll said. That person clearly has a distorted image or what true beauty is. Quinn's smile is contagious. I would be honored to have him as my child and get to wake up and she that gorgeous face everyday. He's lucky to have a great momma like you!

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  12. That's how you teach a lesson! Awesome letter, Megan. The world needs more people like you. Beautiful pics, btw.

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  13. dear proud mama - for whatever its worth, I think you're son looks adorable, sparkling and full of love. hugs from copenhagen denmark - casper

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  14. He is beautiful, happy, smiling and loves his momma! I smiled as I looked at his photos. I have a 4 year old son and an 8 month old daughter, and as a mother I am so angry that someone said that about your child. Talk about bringing out momma bear! You handled it much better than I would have.

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  15. Dear Megan,

    My name is Chelsea, and I'm a 22 year old from Nova Scotia, Canada. I came across this response today on my Facebook Newsfeed, and I can only describe my feelings as hurt (on you and your son's behalf) and inspired by your response. I've been involved with peers with learning disabilities from a very young age, most recently with my involvement with an organization called Best Buddies International. I am so proud to see a mother like yourself so beautifully respond to the awful actions of another, your post was tasteful, and most importantly, true.

    I've followed you on Instagram, mostly because the pictures of your little boy brightened my day.

    I hope you realize how inspiring your courage is.

    Sending love from the North,

    Chelsea

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  16. I came across this article someone posted on my facebook, I proudly work with adults with disabilities and yes at times it can be frustrating but honestly I have yet to have a great satisfaction in life than to come to my sessions and help them achieve their physical goals. People are cruel, but those people live in a world that is small and close minded and I feel they have a worse disability because they will never be truly happy like your beautiful son looks in all of your pictures.

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  17. Mrs. Mennes:

    My name is Matt Gimben and I am a 16 year from Kansas. I saw this on the Huffington Post and thought that it might be one of those trashy responses that are so common. I clicked on the link out of curiosity, and I was pleasantly surprised to find that you responded very well to the troller's comment.

    Thank you for posting about your son. Quinn is a beautiful boy and I hope that he will always respond to such slurs on his disability as you have: with compassion and Christ-likeness.

    In Christ,

    Matt Gimben

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  18. Like most everyone else commenting here, I heard about/read your letter via Facebook. Quinn is such a beautiful boy and an absolute cutie! I lost my precious brother David, who also had Down's Syndrome, eight years ago this July and I miss him absolutely every day. Thank you for your pictures. Especially the one of Quinn his argyle sweater with his birthday cake. They are a testament to our rightful bragging rights - that my brother (and your son) have more chromosomes than other people's brothers and sons, which does, indeed, make them pretty damn awesome.

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  19. Hi Megan

    I applaud your reply to someone who is so ignorant. Your son is beautiful and he has such a lovely, happy smile.

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  20. Hi Megan

    Just saw your letter and I want to say that you are an inspiration, as is your beautiful wee lad. I applaud your reply. I understand why you felt the need to write it whether this sad person ever reads it or not. People like you...make people like me proud to be part of the human race. Good luck to you and your family.

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  21. your son is beautiful and so full of joy!

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  22. Gorgeous precious little boy with a mother who is teaching him what love is, even in adversity. Much love to you and your family.

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  23. Megan, I think your little boy is beautiful! I'm sure he will keep giving you love the rest of your life. It breaks my heart that people can be so cruel as to make fun of a special needs child. They are the ones who truly need help.

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  24. Just wanted to send a smile your way. And that photo... made me smile. My nephew has severe cerebral palsy. Credit to you for making people stop and think about their words and actions.

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  25. Your reply is simply FANTASTIC! Nobody should write UGLY to a child... children are children and they are all beautiful. Children with special needs are children like others. Your Quinn is adorable, and you are right to sign Proud Mama! Mean people are everywhere, but compassionate, caring, sweet people are also everywhere and we are more powerful that those poor inside, ignorant ones... LOVE WINS SISTER! YOU ROCK!

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  26. Hey Megan. Cute kid. I felt I should restore some balance. Having been a victim of a troll last week myself who luckily (he says being ironic) attacked me instead of my family, I know the hurt they can bring, but do what I (finally) did; count all those positive comments and messages and I bet you have a million more of them.

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  27. You are right. Your little boy is so cute and wonderful. When I was 20 I decided to go to Germany (I am from France) and I lived at a family with a down syndrom little girl "Jenny". To pay my studies, I had to care the little girl and it was one of the most beautiful, important, wonderful experience of my life. I will always remember Jenny. I am now 47 and she is now 30 ... and she is one of my loves.
    Agnes from Vichy (France)

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  28. God Bless you.. I read the story of the "Ugly" post on viral nova.. The insensitivity of some people still amazes me. How can ANYONE look at a precious innocent child, (Down syndrome or not) and make such cruel statements? I worked a few summers with kids with special needs , (Down syndrome, cp, autism) putting them on horseback and walking alongside them as they accomplished different tasks... This was such a blessing to me.. each child was was different and unique from the other but all ALL were so precious...
    I have a special place in my heart for those who are dealing with these issues. I told one mother How special she was for being a single mom of an autistic child, and the issues she had had to face in the process.. There was one dad who was struggling with not wanting to be involved in his childs life, a little embarrassed by some of the things the child did... I told him and Im telling you the same thing.... "Its not an accident that your child came to be this way, GOD chose YOU to be a SPECIAL PARENT for this child, and HE has a purpose for that!
    So to the UGLY remark... You handled it very well... that person is a coward with no heart or feelings. they will get what they deserve , it will come....
    You are a much Bigger person than they are... Enjoy the beauty of your child and the children he meets along his journey... Encourage other parents to be Special Parents to their special needs child... Have a full and wonderful Life without allowing the "UGLYS" to deter or detract you from what is truly BEAUTIFUL!
    Again God Bless you! B

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  29. Your son is such a cutie and that picture shows nothing but pure joy! It made me smile because his smile is so infectious.

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  30. Beautiful! Your little boy, his mother and her reply!

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  32. I happened to come across an article about your response to the troll. I don't think I could have thought of a better response. And for the record, Quinn is one of the most adorable toddlers I've ever seen.

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  33. He is beautiful!!! His smile is so infectious. :) And you are such a beautifully powerful Momma!

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  34. I was drawn to your article because I wondered "what brought such happiness to that little boy?". Now I know that it is your love, strength and support that buoys him. You are an amazing mom!
    Your response was/is perfect! To the imbecile who wrote that ignorant comment? Well, I'm going to choose to be too polite to say what I think. As s/he should have been.

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  35. Your little boy is adorable. But then you already know that! He has the most beautiful smile. The person that said such a ugly remark to you is more about how he/she feels about their self . These people tend to try to make others feel as they do.It does usually backfire on them.

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  36. Dear Quinn,
    Your mama rocks! But guess what, kiddo? So do you. I love your beautiful smile; you lit up my day! I'm going to follow your mama's blog so that I can share in the joy of watching you grow up to be the amazing guy you're undoubtedly gonna be.
    Love,
    Lizzie

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  37. I was linked to this through my facebook this morning and it absolutely made my day. The world needs more women like you to combat the awful and inspire others to do the same. I can`t help but smile when looking at the pictures of Quinn, as his smile is as infectious as his mother is wise. (His cake picture made me laugh so hard I almost cried - there are not words to describe the level of adorable going on right there) You are both very blessed to have each other. Thank you for being a piece of wonderful in this world and raising your child with nothing but love. Its a story I will share with everyone, because its something I believe everyone should be aware of.

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  38. Hello Megan, I just came across this on Facebook and all I want to do is send you love and support. Your gorgeous little boy, Quinn, is so lucky to have such a brave and intelligent Mummy to stick up for him. The whole thing makes me cry. Thank you for your wonderful words - I hope they touch the troll and turn his life round - you never know. With love from a Mummy and Grandmother in the UK.

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  39. Your son is absolutely adorable!!! Continue to be strong for him!

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  40. When I initially saw Quinn's picture, my first reaction, was to smile, he made me smile. His face just lights up and makes you want to smile, he's beautiful. Whoever said he was ugly, has issues and insecurities of their own. This troll is not worth your anger.

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  41. I'm sickened by the fact that I am of the same species as that troll. God bless your grace in your response and in general and I don't need to say it because God has already blessed you and your son.

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  42. I think Quinn looks vibrant and happy (quite the opposite of what some cruel people choose to call him). May the wonder of his youth stay with him forever. :)

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  43. Way to go momma! Such simple and poignant call out to the (sadly) popular proliferation of trolling (a less direct way of saying bullying) on the internet.

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  44. The Troll is ugly. Quinn is GORGEOUS--- beautiful boy, looks so to me both inside and out. So cute, and you are so blessed!

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  45. your son is a wee cutie :) Love from Scotland. x

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  46. You have responded perfectly! Your son is perfect, and beautiful, and I'm sure the light of your life! And he is so lucky to have a mom like you, that I'm sure will continue to stick up for him, and teach him to do the same for himself :)

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  47. give yourself a pat on the back! so well stated! beauty is on the inside not the outside the guy proved how ugly he is on inside n that's so sad hes the one loosing so many things in life your son is cute n precious! God will reward u one day in heaven for all you are doing not just for ur son but for everyone life u touch you have a loving heart n are out to help everyone that's a true gift! ive meant a lot of beautiful people on the outside but when they speak their heart is hard n to me that's so very sad! keep up the great work your a great mom n a great person!

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  48. hi megan! I stumbled upon your article and I want to say you are an inspiration to all mom's out there with kids who have special needs. thank you for speaking out so beautifully and with great dignity. no wonder God chose you as Quinn's mom...you are truly awesome and you love him with all your heart.

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  49. Hi Megan,
    read this story today and felt compelled to write you a comment. Firstly your son Quinn is very cute and has an adorable smile and I am sure he has a great personality also. Unfortunately there will always be trolls/blinkered people out there with hurtful comments, but I like to think there are more good natured people than nasty out there. I hope the many positive comments on here convince you.
    Great comeback and I love your heading at the top of your blog :). Crazy sure is trying to balance being a Mam, teacher and wife. My own wife does a fantastic job as a stay at home mother, tending to our children and running the home. I see Quinn is wearing an amber bead necklace, for teething purposes I persume?. We had one for our youngest and it helped his teething.
    Best wishes to you and your family.

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  50. Hello..I came across your story on ViralNova and all I wanted to say is that I think your child is beautiful and I'm so sorry that there are people out there who feel the need to say such harsh things.

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  51. Quinn is beautiful. God bless you and your family

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  52. He is beautiful and so are you for sharing him with the world.

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  53. When a child is loved and has someone to believe in them they have a sense of contentment and happiness. It shows in your childrens’ faces. You are a good momma!

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  54. Saw your answer to that troll on Viralnova... I just love it!
    Take care and hug that little sunshine from me!

    Kjelle (Sweden, yes THE Country Sweden)

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  55. Just read your article. Quinn is a beautiful little boy, and you are an amazing mother and woman! He is lucky to have you. Karma will get the person who wrote that about Quinn.

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  56. Wonderfully stated Megan♡ Quinn is a very handsome lucky lil boy xo
    Unfortunately we can't fix ignorance

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  57. Like many of the others here, I happened across your article via FaceBook; I saw the photo first - it made me smile. Then I read what that ignorant, puerile, hateful, waste of oxygen had to say about your son and, perhaps more importantly your response. I confess that as a mid-forties male that has never had children, I only have a basic understanding of Downs Syndrome or Autism or Cerebral Palsy or any of the other illnesses that can make our children alternatively gifted but I do understand how beautiful they are, how funny they can be and how their place in life is infinitely more viable than that of the troll, @JusesCrustHD (what sort of moronic handle is that anyway?) and those like them. I will not discuss my thoughts regarding this person any further on your wonderful site as I don't wish to distract from its intent or beauty. Suffice to say that you are a wonderful person and an inspiration. On the plus side, thanks to this "bully" I have had the pleasure of seeing the many photo's on your Instagram page and my life is now richer for it.
    Thank you for sharing Quinn's extraordinary life. He truly is beautiful (as are you). I wish you and your family nothing but the very best for the future. xx
    Kev (UK)

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  58. Dear Megan,
    My name is Parash and I'm from India. I came across your story on viral nova which shared the Huffington Post article. I was really ashamed by the behavior of the troll and, BTW your son looks really adorable in the pics smiling. He doesn't look sick in any manner. I have faced pranks and insults from people as a child when I used to stutter. I understand how it feels. I was really inspired by your response. I think if a few more netizens become like you the cyberspace would be so much better place for people even with disabilities. I wish all the luck and pray for your son's condition. Keep up the good work. Thanks, Parash

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  59. Several decades ago and for a number of years I worked as a professional service provider for adults with Down Syndrome who lived in the community. I came to love these folks and developed an appreciation for their fortitude and love of life. I developed an idea that this group of people may well be a new species of human, designed to remind people that joy is the purpose of life. Of course some of the older adults I worked with were not so joyful because they had been forced to deal with the likes of the person you addressed this blog to; but those trolls didn't hide behind a screen they got up close and personal with some of those folks and the eventual result were people, born to be perpetually happy, turned into miserable grumpy sad people. I love your site and all the wonderful pictures of your child and the other children who clearly demonstrate their best attribute; joy in living. Kudos Megan...and a big ol happy face too.

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  60. The troll is the ugly one. Your son is adorable and beautiful!

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  61. Perfection. Your response was absolute perfection. You are an incredibly strong woman; I doubt I would have shown the same intelligence and restraint as you did. Your family is gorgeous. Rock on, Mama!

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  62. Your sons are adorable! God Bless You

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  63. I think your son is beautiful, and with a mother like you by his side i have not doubt that he'll be a bright and loving person. Ignore the hate and keep doing what you're doing.

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  64. Well, your son's smiles light up a room! Who could resist smiling back at such happiness. :-) Well done on your response. I have teenagers, one of whom was bullied in middle school, and one of the classic things she came up against was, "Oh, I was just kidding" after the mean words had been said. The internet has just given these pre-teen bullies a chance to continue to be puerile and mean as adults. I'm sorry that your happy post about your sweet son was tainted!

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  65. I just read this wonderful response through someone posting it on Facebook and just wanted to say that the photos of your son are beyond beautiful and his gorgeous little smile brought a happy tear to my eye before I even read what the article was about!

    Your response to the troll was fantastic, dignified and clever. I hope that the person who left such an unpleasant message takes the advice you gave and becomes a better person for it.

    Your kids are lucky to have such a proud mummy.

    Wishing your lovely boy the best of health for his future!

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  66. Your son is absolutely gorgeous, precious, perfect and well.....just adorable. I saw the pictures you posted of him and just want to give him a snuggle. I am a Mummy myself of little boys and he looks as cheeky as the best of them. How lucky your kids are to have such an inspiring Mummy. Lots of love x

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  67. You have an amazing family... Continue your quest for happiness as the rewards are endless. Loved your response; perfect!

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  68. Frankly, madam, your post is completely redundant. Your son needs no defense and the pathetic individual this open letter is addressed to cannot be expected to understand a word of what you have written. I have come across some of these people and they are happy with whatever little attention they get from anywhere. If you throw things at them they will smile with glee, if you manage to cause physical injury, they will flaunt it like some kind of battle scar and be happy in their sorry little world because they got you to notice that they exist. By the way, your son looks like a bubbly little pudding pie (I have no idea what that might be but the words just came together!) in this photo - good enough to eat! Best wishes ... :)

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  69. All children are beautiful! As a woman and mother, I am sooo proud of you for standing up for Quinn and all children that are not "perfect" in the eyes of our society. Quinn is blessed to have such a beautiful and strong mother! Thank you for your poignant letter.

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  70. Wow... I am speechless. Thumb up!

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  71. What a beautiful little boy and family! Your letter is inspiring! So sorry he was sick, but he got to go out and soak up some good sun. That makes you feel much better. I am so sorry that a internet idiot tried to take away your joy. I have had that happen to me today already. Someone taking away my joy. You have turned that lemon (the troll) into a nice big gallon jug of sweet lemonade! He is precious in that picture where he is smiling and pointing! God bless you all!

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  72. Your response was amazing...you showed no excruciatng anger..only expressed your dissatisfaction towards this individual..at the same time educating him/her...enough about this hater...

    Your son is just adorable...his smile says it all..

    Keep well

    Much love from East London, South Africa..XXXX

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  73. Your son is a gorgeous little boy. More importantly his amazing smile shows a lovely personality, something that troll sadly can't boast of. Enjoy your time with your son, kids grow up so fast.

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  74. Your response was amazing...you showed no excruciatng anger..only expressed your dissatisfaction towards this individual..at the same time educating him/her...enough about this hater...

    Your son is just adorable...his smile says it all..

    Keep well

    Much love from East London, South Africa..XXXX

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  75. Your boy is so adorable and your pics of him so cute that I actually giggled out loud! If someone looks at him and sees ugly it only reflects their darkness inside. Your response is perfect- go mama!

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  76. I'm just so annoyed that this troll, total waste of perfectly good bandwidth, has potentially ruined this wonderful picture of your beautiful son for you. But I do know there will be thousands more great pictures of Quinn and I can only hope that when you look at this particular one you'll be proud of yourself for standing up so eloquently to cyber bullies and bullies in general- I know I don't know you but I'm so grateful you wrote this.

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  77. As a parent who works with kids, including kids of my own and other kids with significant disabilities, I would far rather have an adorable child with Trisomy 21 than a heartless bully. As much work as it is to properly parent a child under even the best of circumstances, I hope you count yourself lucky to have a child who gives and inspires love.

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  78. I must say that you have adorable kids. Well, what can we say? The world is full of ignorance and people unable to see the real beauty in it. I admire you for standing up for your child. You go girl! Love from Brazil.

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  79. Your b oy has what the troll never will have...dignity. Amazing young man.

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  80. I have never commented on someone's blog before, but I saw your story on Facebook and it just broke my heart. I have a 7 month old son and I can't imagine someone intentionally being cruel to him.....especially if he had a disability. I just wanted to say good for you! I am so glad you spoke up! It is so sad that someone would deliberately hurt you and your son's feelings. I'm sure you have helped so many mother's with children who have disabilities. Shame on that troll! Ignore him and keep sharing your proud moments with your son. They grow up so fast!

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  81. Your son is an absolute beauty, and so are you, and your words. Abundant blessings to your family. So sad that there are people like that out there. Can't imagine what that poor person's life has been like. =\

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  82. I just saw the pictures of your beautiful son and began to read and couldn't continue on. Quinn is stunningly beautiful and more perfect than all. That is all I want to say. Praise God for Quinn and his mother.

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  83. this baby is most beautiful than anyone, hes so pure , inocent and lovely !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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  84. Hi, not that it's relevant but your story even made it to the newspapers overhere in Belgium.
    I can only say, just forget about that narrow minded person and look at he beautiful pictures.
    The disarming smile on his face tells us all that he's as happy as can be.
    I myself find it difficult not to smile when I see the picture of your son.
    So look at the picture and you will smile too and soon forget all about that stupid guy.

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  85. A perfect response!!!

    Greetings from Belgium

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  86. Your little boy is so adorable. I loved your reply that heartless bully. You and your beautiful son are so lucky to have one another!

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  87. Your son is beautiful!!

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  88. I belong to a rather vast group of what many would consider ugly, even scary, people. Being ugly and scary is part of what makes us so effective in what we do: empowering wounded little ones to no longer fear the world in which they live. We are BACA (Bikers Against Child Abuse). There is a vast world of those such as ourselves who back and support you as the mother, wife, teacher and especially the rebel you are. It's not so much what others might say about you or your son. Rather, it is what those words they choose are actually saying about them. Let the rebel in you absorb that truth. All respect to you and yours.

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  89. You're son is not ugly. He's a cute angel, and you have a lovely looking family and dog too. Your family looks very full of love and seem very contented and full of life...and this is what drives the haters, those devoid of empathy, empty of emotion to sink their hate into you.

    Some folks just want to watch the world burn. It's the only thing that fills their empty heart's.

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  90. Wish all children could look as happy and joyful as Quinn. Everyone can tell his joy comes from his heart and soul!
    Congratulation on having such a wondereful family! Know it has taken time, consideration and love from your husband and family to have this family!!!!

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  91. Been a long time since i found a great read(or maybe i just don't read that many things on the net). Pure luck that I found these, your open letter to the troll speak volumes about you :D. I'd apologize first hand if this sound offensive, but i can't help thinking. Your child may have disability but then he has you. There is but so little amount of people who really understood the meaning of being a parent. Keep up the great work, your child do have down syndrome but he won't lose to anyone when it comes to being loved.(slightly crying >.<)

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  92. Vanessa from BelgiumApril 22, 2014 at 6:32 PM

    As a mother of two young children, I just wanted to tell you that you have a beautiful boy. Quinn, don't let anyone pull you down for who you are.
    What a gorgeous little boy!
    Your smile makes me smile!

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  93. Been a long time since I found a great read(or maybe I just don't read much?). Pure luck that I came here and suddenly noticed the header, your open letter to the troll speak volumes of you. I'd apologize first hand if this comes out as offensive.
    Your child may have disability but he has you. There is but only so little of people who understand the meaning of being a parent. Keep up the great work, your child do have downsyndrome but he won't lose to anyone when it comes to being loved.(officially touched)

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  94. Your letter was beautiful (brought tears to my eyes!) Thank you for sharing your words not only with this Troll, but for those like myself who find your words inspirational and a source of strength.

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  95. Your son is absolutely adorable! He is such a cutie and seeing that bright smile of his made my day. It is a beautiful picture!

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  96. Dear Miss Megan; My daughter is an Educator for Challenged Children to which I have learned so much of these wonderful children. I have often found myself trying to deal with the dilemma of anger and as a Pastor retreating to prayer for help in dealing with my anger. In trying to understanding both sides, I often get upset with the Ignorance of such people. In my experience, those who use the words like "ugly" must be describing the feeling of themselves. By not responding as you did, it sends the message, "I will not judge you and makes them think ". It IS just in this case for anger because attacking ones family is not okay. The look on you son's face is so joyful that you know it is real. You have my ut most admiration for bring out that Joy and in closing, I would like to ask God to Bless you and your family, Sincerely, Pastor Ken

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  97. Good for you, for this letter, for the recognition that the comment was representative of a deeper lack, a bigger void that the writer exposed in the remark--and in seeking small vulnerable ones to put down. It is, as you noted, cyberbullying. And all bullies are cowards. It is a sad, sad admission of lack in the person who wrote this ugly comment. And it was an ugly comment.
    As for Quinn, he is adorable. His happiness is contagious. He is a loved boy and it shows in his smile, it radiates from his eyes. And this is something no ugly people can take away--not with his mama bear around to protect and cherish him. I'm with you. I hear you. Good for you.
    Different is no less precious. If anything, children like Quinn--children with all manner of difficulties and disabilities, differences and challenges--teach us about ourselves, about our assumptions, our prejudice, our fears ... and our depth of capability for love and acceptance and learning about ourselves and the world we live in.
    You chose the high road--good for you.
    Along with you, I feel sorrow for the person who goes out of their way to find pictures to mock. Seriously, how sad is THAT?
    Happy that you enjoy Quinn, that he is feeling better, that the sun shines in his eyes and on those peachy cheeks of his (do you nuzzle him every half-an-hour just because he is too cute to stand?) :)
    Take heart. There are a lot more reasonable people than there are bullies, FAR more who don't need to hide behind anonymous names in order to insult little kids for recreation ...

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  98. You are a beautiful person. Your story makes me smile and I am so impressed by how you handled this. I wish you and your family nothing but the best this world has to offer. Quinn is perfect :) Best wishes...

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  99. I don't know you but came across this story on Facebook.
    I'm so sorry you had to deal with this comment. I have a 10 month old son myself and I think such comments would be heartbreaking.

    Your son is beautiful.

    I hope you will continue to write about him and post pictures of him and are able to ignore the real uglies of this world.

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  100. You are a proud Mom and a wonderful advocate for Quinn. I know how much it hurts when when heartless FU!@!@# A$$hole makes an ignorant comment, but please know 99.9999% of people are not cruel and evil like the troll with its evil comment. Your son is gorgeous and so lucky to have you as his Mom. XXXOO

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  101. My first thought before even reading your post which was shared on Facebook was "What a sweet little boy, seeing his smile makes me happy"
    Guess the bullies' mama never taught her/him if you don't have anything nice to say don't say anything at all.
    Your response to the bully is an inspiration.

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  102. Hey Megan, I'm not sure if you know this or not... but you, your husband, your two adorable children... all of you... rock. I'm a married man with 2 tiny kids as well, one with what we believe to be a severe learning disability. You words inspire me. Thank you for simply sharing your world.

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  103. Quinn is a teacher for those willing to pay attention and learn.

    His smile warms me up like hot chocolate on a cold day.

    He is beautiful.

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  104. Quinn has much to teach those who are willing to learn.

    His smile warms me up like hot chocolate on a cold day.

    He is a blessing.

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  105. I saw your letter on huffington post. Before I even read it, I looked at the beautiful picture of your son and smiled. I thought to myself, what an adorable boy! Then I read it. I couldn't believe it. The joy that shines through your child is angelic and catching. Made me smile just to look at it, and in the other pictures posted of him in the article as well. You are blessed. Im sorry that ignorant people will try to tear him down. He is also blessed. It is obvious that he has a mom who will build him up. Enjoy your children,as I'm sure you do. Many blessings for your future.

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  106. let me try a one word comment...."PERFECT LOVE" whoops sorry couldn't do it, no words big enough to encompass someone so close to heaven during his life on earth.

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  107. I just have to say how much I enjoyed reading your open letter. I truly love the way you handled the situation. I also think that your son is absolutely adorable and I love his precious smile! All the best!!!

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  108. Both of your children are beautiful, and look VERY happy. It appears to me you are blessed and lucky to have been chosen for such a noble life. You are eloquent and laying the path for many others to follow through a paradigm shift about how we view one another in this life. God doesn't make mistakes. Quinn is (as are all of you) destined to do great things with his very presence in this world. You don't have to be a perfect parent, you just have to be good enough, and you are the BEST in my book. Kudos, peace, love, and happiness to you and yours!

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  109. Your kids are beautiful! You are one lucky mama, and they are very very lucky to have you for a mom!

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  110. I have 2 wonderful boys, so if i were you i will do the same thing! Fight for our children. You are blessed with Quinn in your life. God knows your strength, He know that you are the kind of mother that Quinn need. And for other reason is for you to teach to other mom who have the same experience with you. So..God bless you!

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  111. Your child is beautiful! Those blue eyes are unreal. There is no ugly in him at all. :-)

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  112. Your child is NOT UGLY! The one who said that must have been a person full of negativities in his/her mind and heart. Your son is CUTE HAPPY BOY! And I am equally happy for him for having you and your husband as his parents. Continue giving good example to couples having the same situation like yours. God bless you!

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  113. Your child IS NOT AN UGLY CHILD! He is in fact A CUTE HAPPY BOY! And I am equally happy for him for having you and your husband as his parents. Please continue giving good example to everyone having the same situation as yours. Don't mind those who are giving negative comments. They don't know any better. God bless you and your family!

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  114. Hello Megan !
    I leave in France and whend I see the photo of your son and the dog, I want to read because I see a beautiful son with a cute smile and I thought that it was a story about him and, not about bads words about it. I just want to tell you how much your son is beautiful and you can be proud about him. Sorry my bad english I would like to tell you more but look at him how he is marvelous. I kiss you and him from Alsace. Violette

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  115. Seriously isaw thenews artical about the troll i didnt read any of your site and iam not going to its 309 am iam awake because cause the injury i suffered to low back si joints is hordiblepain is bad but anyway FIRSTLY your son is amazing , handsom , and what he endures n life the smile on his face in these pics is a testement to your family life and parenting skills i salute you when i was 19 my parents fostered a lil man austin who had down syndrom something about him drew me in we bonded in the first 3 min he we met he made me a better persn ( trying to keep this short?) I hate to feed the troll but you need your butt beat in real life there are consequences for saying asanine hurtful things i try to teach my son that just because we are men and capable of hurting those who offend us or just bscause were mad violence be it verbal or physicl should not be a first response in every situation show compassion if your parents raised u any kids of decent show them the propper respect and like it by the way id glady like to break that rule to show the consequences of the crap u let spew out of your mouth

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  116. Seriously isaw thenews artical about the troll i didnt read any of your site and iam not going to its 309 am iam awake because cause the injury i suffered to low back si joints is hordiblepain is bad but anyway FIRSTLY your son is amazing , handsom , and what he endures n life the smile on his face in these pics is a testement to your family life and parenting skills i salute you when i was 19 my parents fostered a lil man austin who had down syndrom something about him drew me in we bonded in the first 3 min he we met he made me a better persn ( trying to keep this short?) I hate to feed the troll but you need your butt beat in real life there are consequences for saying asanine hurtful things i try to teach my son that just because we are men and capable of hurting those who offend us or just bscause were mad violence be it verbal or physicl should not be a first response in every situation show compassion if your parents raised u any kids of decent show them the propper respect and like it by the way id glady like to break that rule to show the consequences of the crap u let spew out of your mouth

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  117. Let's not waste a single time to even care about that troll. The fact that the troll bothers to come and comment a single word like that probably shows that they have more uglier things to hide, so they have to throw it at someone else, to distract themselves, to throw the attention elsewhere instead of on them. On a side note, your kids are so adorable !!! I love the smiles and the cheeky-ness that shows when they smiled !

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  118. Everybody sees love in your pictures and in the eyes and the smile of your son and I think it is the most important.
    I'm french, so, please, excuse my mistakes.

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  119. Hi, Megan! (I hope it's okay with you that I call you that.) I'm not (yet) a mom, but I have an uncle who has autism and has a learning disability. He's in his 40's now, and he's more like a brother to me. He knows when people talk about him or make fun of him, and I feel really helpless when he feels hurt.

    I'm so glad that you took the time to write this, because bullies need to know their place. Your son is beautiful, and he'll have an amazing life with a mom like you around. Kudos to you!

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  120. Dearest Mom,

    I just read the article about the troll who called your kid ugly, in my opinion you handled it SUPERB! I'm a single dad with two beautiful daughters and I can only imagine what it's like for you guys to take care of a wonderful child with down syndrome, my experience with children with down is that they tend to show their emotions in a more inhibited way than others and so you get a lot more love and affection from them than from some others. I know I've been blessed, my girls (9 & 6) are healthy and smart and I try to teach them to love in stead of to hate, I try to teach them to speak their own mind but always remember that everyone needs to be treated with the upmost respect! Everyone is equal in my opinion, whether you are white, brown, black, yellow, pink with red dots, every human being should be treated the same way! I just told my girls your story and we discussed it briefly, I showed them your pictures and they asked me if we could come and visit to give your beautiful boy a big hug and tell him he's gorgeous! And make no mistake, he is!I had to explain that we live on the other side of the world but that there are people everywhere feeling the same way we do so that all the hugs we send to you guys in our minds would eventually reach you and your family.
    I know it's normal for you to respond on something like that, I just want to thank you for the way you handled it, it's the kind of method I try to teach my children as well, you showed him and the world that there is a mature way of telling someone to p* off, a clear message to the whole world in my book!
    Anyway, give your family, and especially your little man, a big hug from us three here in Belgium and again : way to go mom :-D

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  121. To an amazing mother, a teacher for humanity, and a wise women..

    I am not here to trash troll or follow any of his foot prints .. Just want to say, I am inspired and would live to see more people like you in this world. I honestly believe a "true disability" is when you have all your senses and abilities, yet aren't able to accomplish anything except spread a ignorance.

    Honestly, I stopped by your child's photo on Facebook to comment, " how cute is this little boy?" Then, I realized that my friend is sharing a link :). What a beautiful person you are! It is obvious that your little angle is reflecting his mommy's personality and he will grow up to be something, I believe

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  122. I rarely comment on blogs in general, but i wanted to say, I saw the pictures of Quinn, and not only is he adorable and sweet, he is one of the most beautiful children I have ever seen. I know many people who have children with Down's Syndrome and theses children are the sweetest most precious children ever. I wish that Quinn only knows the good of people and that he stays the happy beautiful person that he is!

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  123. I just tried to get an Instagram Account so that I could simply write 'Beautiful' under the photographs in question... but alas, I don't own a mobile device and couldn't find my way to getting an account via PC.

    Quinn indeed looks a beautiful boy in a happy and loving family. I am being completely genuine in stating that opinion - I'm only sad I couldn't comment 'Beautiful' on Instagram.

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  124. You are a wonderful mother. And your son (s) are so cute. You have my fullest respect for everything you do. It's unbelievable how mean and degrading some people are and how you say it ... eventually it will hit him. I admire your strength and can only emphasize again how absolutely sweet your boy is.

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  125. Your son is a beautiful child. And you are a great mom. Beste wishes from Germany!

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  126. Dear Megan,

    I saw that stuff on Facebook and actually I'm from Germany and living in Hamburg. Just to let you know, this story has found its way around the globe ;) I really like your troll letter and hope to see more pics of your cute children and little family. When I saw Quinn's pictures on FB, I had a big smile on my face, as it is raining here today, but he can make the sun shining again with his cuteness :D

    So, take care and hope my English is not too bad!

    Best Greetings from Hamburg,
    Jasmin :)

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  127. He is beautiful – and what’s more important is that his soul is beautiful and perfect. I have personal experience and I've always been just bowled over by my niece’s exuberance and her unconditional love. If I could be half as nice a person as she is, I’d be happy indeed.

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  128. Dear Megan,

    Proud to see moms like you
    it's good that you kinda fought back... well staying quiet and tolerating shits like that ain't always right... that just makes a bunch of species assume that they can do whatever they feel like.. it's people like you who show them that they ain't gonna get away with it.... that they are being watched closely... that they need to have limits...

    your son is lovely
    he's gonna grow ..great having a mum like you
    take care

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  129. Your son is beautiful. I hope you have a beautiful life with him, and that he has his own life worth living :-)

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  130. You are a great mother and your boy looks so unbelievable happy and sweet. I could cuddle him. Go your own way with your son and ignore such stupid posts. Best wishes from Germany

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  131. "There aren't many things in this world more beautiful than seeing your recently-ill child light up in a smile" You are right!!! Thanks for that!!! Makes me smile!!! This is the most powerful, beautiful thing I have read for a long time. Your response to that troll was definitely the right way. Thumbs up!!! I hope a lot of people read this. Greetings from Bavaria (GER), wishing you all the best.

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  132. Well said and your son is a cute little dude and looks like a absolute legend!

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  133. I read your article and wanted to say that not all people out there think like the troll. Continue to be a proud mama. You have a beautiful little boy and should not have to deal with idiots like that troll but we live in the real world where morons think its OK to say things from the safety of their homes. Loved your article. Wish you and your family the best

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  134. I am not a parent, let alone the parent of a child with Downs Syndrome, so I can not speak to the hurt you must feel when someone attacks your child. I can speak to the fact that your son is precious, and has one of the most beautiful smiles I have seen, and I am sure a contagious laugh to go along with it. Whether it is a mental or physical ailment, we must always remember that these beautiful souls have Special Abilities. Yes, abilities that sometimes vary from what some ignorant individuals call "Normal", but in the eyes of people who understand, they are simply, Special, and beautiful and offer us the unique opportunity to see things in a whole new way. Lucky be the ones who have the chance to experience this :) <3

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  135. Nothing is worth than the love we give to our kids no matter what their situation is. I admire you for speaking your heart, your mind. I too have a kid like yours but for me she's a jewel, she's worth my love and respect. Sometimes people are so blunt and disrespectful of others to comment harshly. In the eyes of God, in our eyes, our kids are the most beautiful. You have my admiration.

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  136. Hi Megan,

    Don't know how I ended up here, but I got here. What an amazing reply to that horrible bully!!! I hope he learned his lesson. A deep deep bow for you Proud Mama!
    Your sons are so damn cute it's hard to put into words. What a sweet and genuine soul your little Quinn is. He radiates sheer joy. When one sees a smile like that it's like walking on air.
    A big hug and thank you from Holland for you and your family!

    Martine, The Netherlands

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  137. Your son is a beautiful boy and has a wonderful mother!

    Ordinarily I agree with the philosophy 'Don't Feed The Trolls', but by posting your response on another forum I don't think you did. As you said in some ways posting your Open Letter was cathartic and allowed you to express your feelings without feeding the troll's ego.

    My best regards to you and your family..

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  138. What a inspiring Mother u are Sorry if my english is bad thats bcause im dutch did u knew that your story was also in a online newspaper in belgium i think u guys are great and your son shows so much joy all the best from Holland love Cynthia Martherus

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  139. How on earth can anyone see anything "ugly" when they look at that child. His sweet smile and happy eyes are BEAUTIFUL. He is an angel. God Bless.

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  140. You have an absolutely beautiful child. And obviously have more understanding than I do. If someone were to seek out my daughter in that way... I don't see anything good in that persons future. Your response and the way you did it, is an inspiration to people like myself with horrible tempers. And again, you have a beautiful child and I hope he continues to grow and flourish!

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  141. Hi proud mum,
    here is a hansch (/hasenhuman) from GErmany. I'm a punkrocker since 1982 and i stand in opposition of arseholse, which have no empathy for those humans. It share the article on faceboook and google+ and said : be human and become homo sapiens. I love your boy. He is present and he smile like the whole sun. So this video is about birthday and it's his everyday birthday-video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uWzNxYqYAkY .. thanks a lot for beeing here little man.

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  142. The Lord must have a special place reserved around His throne for Down Syndrome kids.
    He made them with hearts of gold, and not a mean bone in their bodies.
    The unconditional love of God pours out of them. Blessed are the pure in heart.
    Any parent of a Down Syndrome kid knows this. Too bad for those who don't.

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  143. Your response was brilliant, and your son is beautiful and amazing! It's sad that we as parents have to fight these fights, but seeing those who do gives me hope and fills me with pride. We've encountered much rudeness (glares, stares, comments, etc.), regarding our Autistic son, but my wife and I are determined to do all we can to give him every chance. We don't seek out conflict, by any means, but we sure don't back away from it either. It's amazing in this time of enlightened and heightened tolerance, that so many people are anything but. As you said, it's so easy to make comments and "jokes" at others' expense, while hiding behind the internet and usernames. Everyone's day will come, and I doubt it'll be a pleasant one for JusesCrustHD when karma pays him a visit. As an example, a "writer" for ESPN made an inappropriate "joke" about the weight of a fan at an NBA basketball game, who happened to have a courtside seat. The "writer" was promptly suspended from Twitter, and may face other sanctions as well. If I could post a photo here I would, just to help illustrate that such commentary is unnecessary and does not go unnoticed or unpunished.

    Thank you again! I hope you and your family have a wonderful week! God bless!

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  144. Megan, Thank you for sharing your wonderful response to a coward that posts as 'anonymous'. Our thoughts & support are with your beautiful family and yourself.
    Jim Watkins at Ability Chicago

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  145. The only sad thing here is that another so called person that wrote that crap, you called them out on it and it was tasteful, tactful, and thoughtful. Your boy is BEAUTIFUL what a smile, glad he is feeling better.

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  146. Your son is adorable and beautiful. Every mum, dad and each person with a heart will tell you exactly the same. Concentrate on the happiness that your child brings to you and your family, that is the only thing you need. Good old karma will surely do the rest...big hug from Belgium (yes your post has gone viral ;-) ), xxx

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  147. Dear Megan,

    thank you for sharing this open letter with us!
    I absolutely looooooved reading it. You are an inspiration.
    I hope you enjoy the positive feedback and the messages of love you are receiving from people from all over the world.

    Hugs from Germany,
    Vanessa

    PS: The photo of Quinn is absolutely gorgeous. You are a beautiful family.

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  148. Once I heard the god created these children when he was cheerful. Your son is wonderful!

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  149. You are a wonderful mother and Quinn is a beautiful happy baby!!!! He is so lucky to have you as a mom. God Bless you and your family!!!

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  150. It is so awful how many more trolls and bullies pop up every day on the Internet! Anywhere I go online there is at least one person talking badly towards something or someone. .... it is getting crazy and I'm unhappy about it because my kids use the Internet and I'm sure they are bullied. Lucky for me my son is strong enough to not care much about it but it upsets me. Anyway lovely little boy. I have a 15 year old with DS and yep! It gave me a thick skin! :-) good job on the letter! Thank you for sticking up for all of us parents with special needs children! !!! Thank you!

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  151. From one mama to another, I think you handled this beautifully. I saw this on Facebook and wanted to lend one more supportive voice to the large group already here!

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  152. What a sweet face. Your sons photos makes me smile because his smile lights up the room. It makes you want to give him a hug.

    I know how you feel when this happens because I have a 2 grandchildren with autism and the world is cruel to them. Not just other kids but adults who bully and abuse them if they have the opportunity. These bullies are sick individuals inside themselves projecting how they feel onto others and they are cowards to boot. I am glad you posted on this subject because it happens too often and needs to stop. I fight against child abuse and was shocked to find out how some people view it. They want to ignore it as if that will help but they are cowards to just not the bullying type. People need to man up and tell the abusers to stop or it never will. I am glad you stand behind your son and told this sick bully off. Like you I found that the cowards are usually picking sites like autism and down syndrome to do their bullying on and it makes me sick to my stomach. They need professional help. Best wishes and give that little boy a hug for me.

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  153. I used to work with a guy who had Down's Syndrome and he was great friend and coworker. He lives in another state now but I still see him on Facebook. There is also a restaurant owner named Tim Harris and and an actor named Chris Burke who have the same disorder. The bully was basically attacking me as well since I have a disorder called Asperger Syndrome.

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  154. Your son is adorable! So sad that a person's self-esteem is so low that the only way to make them feel good about themselves is by making rude and ignorant comments on photos such as this. Keep posting and keep hashtagging! Never let someone's darkness dim your light!

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  155. What a beautiful mind and what a beautiful son you have =)

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  156. What a beautiful mind and what a beautiful son, you have =)

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  157. To see pure happiness on anyone's, but especially a childs face, and still be able to say something terrible says something so sad about the persons soul.
    Your sons face holds the innocence of an angel and beauty that people like that are likely to miss. Gorgeous little angel you have, thank you for sharing the pictures :)

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  158. Why do you hashtag pictures of him #downsyndrome?
    Seems odd to me, surely that isnt what defines this picture?
    I think you handled the troll well and im not judging, im also no good at instagram, so just curious :)

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    1. The hashtag allows me to network with other parents who are raising kids with Down syndrome. We've built a fantastic support network online and I've made/found many friends this way. It's a viable question!

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  159. GOD has entrusted you with your dear son, Quinn. I shudder to think that the bully might have a child with a disability and what a disaster that might be.

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  160. I worked with handicapped children back when I was young. These kids are the most loving individuals you could ever meet. I hope there is a special place in hell for these low life trolls!

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  161. Ich finde deinen sohn sehr toll. Das lachen spricht bände. Es gibt nichts schöneres auf der welt wie sein eigenes kind lachen zu sehen. Wünsche euch viel glück. Liebe grüße aus deutschland.

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  162. You have a beautiful child. His smile lights up the World!

    Peace and love from Germany

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  163. As a 19 year old girl who has grown up around this i personaly believe writing this letter was not a waste if your time. And your son is soooo handsome. Never stop doing what your doing, people may insult him but you know better (:

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  164. Your boy is absolutely gorgeous! I can't stand a bully! Both of my sons have been bullied, but my youngest has truly caught it BADLY. He has Asperger's and ADHD and he has some physical issues that cause him to walk and carry himself differently. He's been picked on since pretty much day one. Between some bad stomach issues and mean kids (and a few mean teachers/staff), I have to homeschool him. He wants a friend so badly, but nearly ever kid we come across is a jerk. I appreciate what you said so much! I hope that moron read it and actually understood it! I wish with all my heart that we could get through to all of the bullies out there and make them feel what they make others feel! Maybe, just maybe, some of them would stop it!

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  165. Proud Mama - your son is beautiful just the way he is! Every child is a true individual and wonderful in their own way. I wish people would look at each person for the wonderful attributes they have to share with the world. I am sorry for you and your son.... that you must be subjected to such cruel and thoughtless people. They hide behind the screens and their own insecurities and it may be painful but just remember that there are plenty more GOOD CARING people in this world than that! Thank you for speaking up. I send my peace and love to your son, you and your family. A young mother from Connecticut

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  166. He's adorable!!!! That smile of his made me smile! THAT wins over ugly comments any day! Bless his heart! Unfortunately, there are more and more ignorant people in this world than ever before, it seems. Try not to let it bother you. Enjoy this lovely, darling boy!

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  167. I just wanted to leave a comment there. You, your son, your family and your work a great! I believe your son will become a good and warm-hearted person with an awesome character.
    I work with disabled people (four of them also have the Down Syndrome) and my younger brother has the Williams syndrome, so I know what some people say who can't accept the speciality of such great persons.
    Stay strong and fight on for your little family. I wish you much strength for the future.
    Best wishes from Germany

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  168. My son has autism. I know we don't reply to trolls for their sake, we reply for our own sake. We reply because to not reply is to allow someone, anyone to make us and our special children feel less than the amazing people they are to us and the world. I'm grateful for your reply. Your children are beautiful. God bless. Carrie

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  169. Unfortunately one has been seeing this behavior for a long time and will see more of it in the future. Some of it is based on Ignorance. Some is based on the fact tha there are a lot of losers out there who feel that they make themselves look better by trying to make others look worse. The Media is also to blame for encouraging this type of behavior when they ignored the insults and even encouraged it against Sarah Palin and her child with Downs Syndrome. There are many people out there who get their only marching orders from the Media and take them literally.

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  170. Your son is an adorable boy and will likely grow up to be smarter and more successful than the Trolls out in the world!!

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  171. I work with kids with a variety of special needs. Those children, particularly the ones with Down's Syndrome, are some of the most beautiful people it has ever been my good fortune to meet. I read this quote today by Martin Luther King and I thought it was so lovely: 'I have decided to stick with love, hate is too great a burden to bear.' If someone has so much hatred, anger and frustration in their lives that they can look at that picture and see anything other than joy, well that is the very definition of ugly.

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  172. Extraordinary Mommy. Keep fighting the good fight. Your Son's beautiful face with a smile full of love says everything that matters. We are the Body and the mouths have spoken in the words of our Father.

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  173. Anyone who can look at the sheer joy on your son's beautiful face and think anything else besides "wow!" , "adorable" and "made my day" is not worth a second of time.

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  174. I'm a mother of five and I'm proud of my children everyday. Of course they are not perfect, no one is, but they are beautiful in their special ways. They are unique. Your son is unique, too. I can see his beauty and his happiness in his eyes. Enjoy the time you have together!

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  175. I look at the picture of your son and think to myself, so full of joy and life. I applaud you for speaking out and not lashing out as they are two different things. People who usually take offense usually come off as being no better than the person insulting in the beginning. It's very sad that people not only are like this but still think they can get away with it......so very sad... You were blessed with this little bundle of joy, enjoy it, and nobody can take that away from you.

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  176. What a beautiful way to show your feelings. I have a cousin with Down Syndrome, and she is beautiful, just as your son is too. You have surely said everything that we all would like to say to people like that, and sure, jokes may be made, but once you post something, its not going back. Love is deep in the heart, and you have truly spoken from it. Give yourself a pat on the back, and tell your son that he is beautiful. You are a great mother to express the way you feel like that. Stand Proud.

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  177. Your response was so full of grace, bravo momma! Your son is absolutely adorable and shining with light and love. Any person who can't see that and instead wants to hurl insults is missing a heart and don't deserve a second thought. Your baby boy is beautiful.

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  178. The Mighty Quinn with a Mighty mum!

    It's hard to imagine what a sad and tortured mind this 'troll' has. The tragedy is theirs that Quinn's sunshine smile couldn't penetrate their bleak outlook.

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  179. :) My brother has special needs, a really rare genetic disorder. He just turned 27 today which, is a miracle in itself. His smile is so infectious that when I am having a hard day, it melts my heart and nothing else matters. Its such an amazing pick me up. I think Special needs children are God's angels here on earth to teach us lessons of how to accept others, love with out barriers and to be happy with the simple things in life. People have tried to put a label on him but you can't. I've worked with Downs kids in Special Olympics and other areas, I love the little downs kids because they are spunky and full of life. There is a Downs Project where a dad debunked all the myths and labels people put on Downs and other Special Needs kids. It was so neat. Downs and other special needs kids are huge blessings. Your household has a precious angel in it and he is too cute for words. :)

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