I grew up with an uncle who had an extra chromosome. When I was little I didn’t know what Down syndrome was, or that my uncle was really even different. To me he was just my smiley, goofy Uncle Steve. He participated in the Special Olympics, where he dominated in swimming and running. He is a hardcore supporter of Batman and an admirer of "I Dream of Jeanie." He will give hugs to anybody he sees. It might seem weird to some people receiving a hug from an absolute stranger, but for my uncle, it’s just spreading love. He will laugh when he knows he is making someone smile. My uncle isn’t high-functioning. He lives with my grandma, but he does have a job. He packs boxes of dog food in boxes at our local Logan Industry, an organization that gives people with autism a chance to reach their full potential.

I’ve learned some things throughout my 19 years with an uncle who has Down syndrome, and they're things I believe everybody should learn. It isn’t just my uncle, it’s the extraordinary stories I hear of others. This is near and dear to my heart; it’s personal for me but I’m writing it for you.

1. Being happy when life around you isn’t

So much goes on around in the world that can cause people to be down, angry and depressed. If my uncle sees that someone is upset, he will do something to cheer them up. All the people with Down syndrome people I have met have been happy. The students with Down syndrome at my former high school always would say hi. I didn’t know them, and they didn’t know me, but they would still say hi. They also asked for high-fives, and every time it put a smile on my face. If they can find pure joy in the smallest things, so can we. If they can spread happiness and make people smile, we can learn from them to uplift people rather than drag people down.

2. Being passionate

My uncle has a few passions. He loves doughnuts, he has to have pockets on all his shirts and he’s obsessed with Batman. Everyone should have a passion in life. No one’s passion should seem lesser than anyone else’s. I read a story about a kid with Down syndrome who cried when he realized he got accepted to college. His passion was school. A kid with Down syndrome on "Ellen" loved to dance. No matter if the passion seems unrealistic or minimal, I’ve learned from the passions of people with Down syndrome that just having a passion and being truly passionate is the best joy in life.

3. Overcoming adversity

The Special Olympics is an amazing way for people with Down syndrome to overcome adversity. “Normal” people are so quick to judge and disregard people that are different from us. Some people are uncomfortable with people that are “different” simply because they are ignorant. However, every athlete in the Special Olympics is showing us up. I’m pretty much as un-athletic as it gets, yet my 50-year-old uncle can say he won medals for swimming, running and bowling. It’s showing bravery and strength I wish we could all have. If they can learn to overcome being “different” and do “normal” things like running and swimming, then nobody can come up with an excuse of why they can’t do something. Organizations like Logan Industry also provide career opportunities for people with Down syndrome, once again proving they are just like us, if not stronger.

4. Seeing kindness

In the eyes of someone with Down syndrome, they only see kindness. I can’t speak for them, but how can they not when the only people with Down syndrome I have been blessed to meet are kind? They smile at strangers, hug loved ones, make people laugh - and they don’t see people as inferior or superior or even different. People with Down syndrome can teach us to see kindness and see equality because that’s what they see, and if I can have the attitude and passion they have, then everything has a chance to be amazing.

They are great teachers. So thanks, Uncle Steve, for all the wonderful life lessons. You are truly one-of-kind in my heart.