KATE'S IDENTITY IN HER OWN WORDS

The very first learning outcome in the Victorian Early Years and Development Framework is for children to have a strong sense of Identity. 

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Kate thinks IDENTITY means:

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"Feeling good about yourself and proud of who you are"

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When Kate was asked on 14 July 2020 "What is your identity? Who are you?" these were her answers in her own words:

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• Family

• Friends

• Being Greek

• Romantic things - I LOVE love

• Love songs

• Bollywood music

• Dresses

• Comfy clothes like trackies and hoodies

• Dancing

• Zumba

• Singing out loud

• Drives with Dad

• Walks with Mum

• Swimming

• My fitness

• I love ice-cream, solo and pink milk

• I don't like homework!

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The one thing Kate did not say was part of her identity was having a disability. When I asked her about it, she said "I still don't like to talk about it. It makes me feel uncomfortable". It was so good that Kate was able to come up with all the positive things about her identity but coming to a place of acceptance and celebration of her Down Syndrome is a long term and important goal.

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In October 2019, Kate did a I Used to Think, Now I Think on having Down Syndrome. It would be great to look at this and her answers above every now and then to remind Kate that having Down Syndrome is only one part of her identity and that many of the awesome things she has experienced have been because of her having a disability.

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