The Letter I Wrote to My Dad on His 50th: A Down Syndrome Story

Growing up as the daughter of a father with Down syndrome, Ritchie Ann Castillo often felt dissatisfaction with her 'package deal'.

Many of us have regrets from our childhood about how we were raised, but Ritchie Ann claims that she grew up constantly wishing she could swap her dad for another, until she matured. "Dad, it took me so many years to summon the courage to face everyone. I didn't always know how to tell them the truth - I was scared. As a child, I didn't see you as different; I saw you as my dad - I didn't understand why they laughed at me and called me 'the daughter of the abnormal one'. I realized it years later, and it made me fearful.

"In class, everyone teased me because they said you were different, and it turned me into a coward. But you don't deserve a cowardly daughter - you deserve love, understanding, patience, and acceptance, like any person with Down syndrome deserves. I've never done this - laid my feelings bare for all to see and written you a personal birthday message on social media, but I feel I owe it to you because you are so brave. You've been through so much, yet you've never been afraid - not even once."

I Can't Imagine Being in Your Shoes

Ritchie Ann continues, "For almost your whole life, you've let doctors stick needles in you, you've had surgeries, and you've undergone dialysis all your life. I could list a long line of restrictions and unpleasant things you've gone through, but I've rarely seen you complain. After long nights in hospitals, after surgeries and procedures, you always managed to say: 'I'm not afraid - because I trust in Hashem'. You always smiled, even after long days at the dialysis center.

"You're the strongest and most courageous person I know, and I can't imagine being in your shoes. I've seen you at your worst when you broke down and said you were tired, and it made me cry for days. I couldn't bear taking you back to the hospital. I saw you cry because your knee was filled with fluid, and it hurt me because I couldn't help you. I can't feel your pain, but I wish I could take your place so you wouldn't have to feel pain anymore.

"If there's one thing I regret, it's that I hid you from my life so many times because deep inside, I'm still that little girl afraid of being hurt. Dad, no amount of words can sum up how sorry I am for being absent from your life when you needed me most, and I'm sorry I don't visit you more often. I love you more than you'll ever know, and you inspire me to overcome even the hardest challenges in my life. I am strong and brave because of you, and I love you so much," she concluded.

A thought to ponder: No matter what home you come from and who your parents are. Parents are parents, and we owe them respect in every situation.