The Blessing of Down Syndrome 

This little boy is so precious, I had a down syndrome brother he passed away on Christmas Day 2019 at the age of 65 and I miss he so much, my mother told me it's a blessing to have a down syndrome baby, and my brother was the most loveable brother in the world and he was the most gorgeous baby when he was born and that is so true because he was a blessing from the Lord 💗

My brother has Downs he is 64. He had heart surgery at 25 which increased his life span. He is more fit than I am. He now has early dementia, but still has his fun personality and loves his family. Always asking about the babies (his nieces and nephews). He reads and writes (phonetically so his spelling can be off) and does basic math. He also knows how to use a calculator. He loves Elvis Presley, his room is decked out in Elivis and all his records and CD. He still misses mom and dad and often talks about them. He is considered severely Downs. Back when he was a child we had to deal with the ignorance from the eugenics movement (there was no help). My mom and dad (and me) spent a lot of time teaching him to read and write (no schools available for him until he was older). I played school with him. We did a lot to help him walk as his bones and muscles strengthened. He became an excellent swimmer and saved my 3 yr. old when he jumped in the deep end of my mom's pool, quick thinking and reaction. So no one should ever say they can't accomplish and do great things because they can! Your son will get there just takes a little longer!

What a fantastic family! The mom has such a wonderful attitude and is raising some really special children. Taonga is one handsome little man

There’s this inexplicable aura they all seem to posses. Love and gentleness unadulterated

Taonga, OMG what an adorable child! Those eyelashes and those bright eyes, that smile! So lovely.

As a Special Educator, I am honored to work with these children and am in awe of the loving wonderful parents who fight for and love them endlessly. These children deserve a chance at life and to spread the unbeleievable amounts of love they have.

Mum is so positive. Simply enjoyed listening to her sharing her family stories ❤.

I love these documentaries. One of my favourite things is they use so much Maori with the kids, even those whom aren't Maori by ethnic background. Much love ♥️

How can you not, just completely fall in love with this family.

Absolutely love this video. Our son Jonty has Down’s syndrome he’s just 15 months old and he has touched some many people’s hearts. We couldn’t of asked for anything else. Jonty was our ivf miracle baby. Thank you for sharing your story.

I taught children diagnosed with Autism and I thought the same thing they are perfect the way they are. Loving playful and fun to be with. It was a total joy teaching them.

He is so adorable I just want to smother him in kisses 😚

My husband used to say...we are raising kids not grass...the house and yard came last...our 5 are all grown up now and wonderful!😍👵

Taonga is a gift indeed, not to mention adorable! My first experience with Down Syndrome occurred when I was 19 and was asked to babysit several young children, one of whom had DS. I absolutely fell in love with him. Individuals with DS have such lovely personalities, are so sweet and loving, and I believe they have the ability to contribute greatly to society. They are to me is a treasure and a blessing from God.

I know why he's so popular on Facebook... He is SUPER cute! That butt dancing stole my heart and his chatting with everyone/anyone melts my heart! 💙💙💙

My little sister have downs syndrome, and i love her! And she is super sweet and hugg all of my friends when they come over. I wold never change annything about her, she is my sister and i always gonna love her!♥️♥️🥺

My nephew had special needs. Unfortunately he only lived for 14 months but everyone that held him said they felt something special. I remember one of his doctors asked if he ever cried. We said no because as soon as he starts to grunt we pick him up. Special needs kids are just that special.

😍Look into his eyes, really look into those beautiful eyes....he KNOWS he's 'THE BOSS' of the family!! Bless those two big brothers!! They are so loving & sweet with him❤

He sure is a cutie, and a ray of sunshine. I took care of a little boy with down syndrome he was a really special boy. His parents moved away and I will forever miss him. Taonga is a blessing and thank you for sharing your story.. 💜🌞💙

The entire family are all so funny and loving and all bring wonderful love and joyful feelings to each other and the people in their lives.

thank you for normalizing and being postive image of topics of syndromes, im so happy seeing happiness rather than sad and sombre vibes of other vids in the same topic. this makes me glad.

What a beautiful family.Wish you best.

I just want to snuggle with him. I miss my boys being small. They are 20 and 14 now. Time flies!

I absolutely love 🇳🇿 New Zealand and I’ve never been there. It’s just so special and full of incredible people. Something keeps drawing me there. Great doc! Awesome family! 💖💖

I truly enjoyed this video. In all honesty - I have a 26 year old son who is non-verbal. He is dx'ed with severe autism, profound mental retardation, and Pandas (strep in the brain). I did every therapy known - and almost every biomedical therapy except for chelation....Not only is he non-verbal - but he doesn't understand receptively - *spoken words". He doesn't understand sign language - he does understand pictures - it took me approx 7 years to teach him true understanding of pictures. However, with the recent diagnosis of Pandas - he has been regressing. He should have had the diagnosis of Pandas when he was 2 - not 25 because there is no cure now. I watch him suffer day in and day out with pain and that is the hardest part - not understanding and not being able to communicate other than "behavior". With regard to your beautiful son, I think in time - the physical will catch up (it will take longer though). He will have so many successes with physical therapy (and you will celebrate each and every success)!!!!!! Taonga's level of comprehension is a m a z I n g!!!!!!! If you have your comprehension: of spoken words in his language and ability to think and reason - (his reasoning may be different - but we all have a different reasoning process) - He will attain his goals, dreams and more! After 26 years of 24/7 caregiving I've learned so much - and now I also am a caregiver to my mom who is 95 and has advanced dementia. Your son lit up my computer screen - he is very lucky to have you both as parents. I've seen many young adults graduate from college with a diagnosis of Down syndrome. Hold on - you are in store for the most wonderful ride of your life - your heart will explode over and over again! I can't wait to see his MANY FUTURE successes. GO TAONGA!!!!!!

Oh my god his smile, so gorgeous

What a sweet boy that smile is everything!!! Blessings to the family.

I grew up in a neighborhood where one of our neighbor girls had down syndrome. She would play with us all the time. The MOST amazing thing about her was, she was the ONLY one who could tell me & my sisters apart. I'm an identical quadruplet. All the other neighbor kids had a hard time figuring out which one we were. When I see babies with down syndrome, I think thwy are Sooo Special, God's special children!

What a beautiful baby you are blessed with. He is a joy to the world. He will know it eventually.

I love New Zealand; It's the country I would choose to live in if I was able to. You have a lovely family and Taonga is such an affectionate lovable little boy.

Taonga is PERFECT and so pure 💟 Love this family

Aaawww I adore him ❤️ my son is 16 years old and has Down syndrome also, every and anybody loves him. People with Down syndrome are absolutely awesome!!

My brother who I now have guardianship because of our parents passing. Is 44 years old and a wonder of a beautiful boy/man. I could tell you amazing stories about him. I love him so much.

your whole family is wonderful! I too Think Toanga is a Bright little boy. He will go far. I am Glad his brothers accept him too. He is Precious.

Hi he's very cute and special and loved god bless you and your beautiful family to love you handsome boy 👦

I love them no less they are perfect and can do anything they set their minds to.. 🥰

Why would someone dislike this??? What a wonderful family and what a sweet little boy. I really hope he continues to thrive and their family stays happy and healthy:)

love that little Taonga . GOD BLESS HIM.

All three boys are handsome, they are all unique in their own way, look at them, they are happy healthy and fun to be around, they have "good mum & dad. Lots of love to you all. Xxx

What a wonderful family you have, your amazing attitude I think is the driving force behind your happiness, I was blown away, fantastic video. Fantastic kid's, so real.I wish you all the very best for your futures. I wish there were more people like you all.

What a beautiful family and Taonga is absolutely adorable!! I just want to reach through my screen and cuddle him...💙🤗💙 His "booty dance" was sooo cute!! 😂😂😂 I love that his name means "treasure" because that's EXACTLY what HE IS!!

He is perfect. Such a little bundle of treasure, you have no fear for his future, where ever and whatever he decides to do or be when he is older, he will be a success.

I'm a physical therapist for special needs babies. Great job, well loved . Im impressed

Huh your amazing mother.... no words can express how lucky you are to be his mom...great job and gob bless

I love the positivity of this video. Thanks for sharing. Blessings from Southeastern NSW Australia, Dot

I think he’s adorable....😊. You’re doing a great job parenting.....from Linda in California.

He’s god special child your a wonderful family I wish to dear god people were like you to I send all my love from Elaine England what a wonderful family xxxxxxxxxxxxxx

You are doing an amazing job with Taonga. You are embracing his uniqueness and building on that.

A wonderful Doc! Taonga is so cute and loveable. He reminded me of my son who passed away April 19, 2017 age 45. Loved music, superman movies, and spaghetti. Your lives are blessed with a special child. Thanks for sharing your love. Best wishes from California.

He is a beautiful kid and so are his brothers he is a very bright wee boy and I think his speech is very good I really don't think this kid condition is going to hold him back much he is so happy and I think he is so bright because of his mum and dad treating him just like the other two boys and his brothers just treat home like there best friend this wee chappy was born into the best family ever they are so loving and caring

I love how Taonga’s brothers don’t think he’s different to the other kids, he’s just their brother. Which he is

Cutest kid I've ever seen

Taonga there is a real magic boy eh! Lucky for us here, we got our magic boy Maui....rays of sunshine these boys in a sometimes crazy world. Happy days and thank you for sharing your perfect family and magic son with us! Stay well all of you!

Oh my goodness!!! He's so awesome!! What a loving family, so much dedication!

What a beautiful family and Toanga really has the dance moves. He’s such a happy bright little boy. It’s nice seeing a family on RU-vid that doesn’t portray itself as “designer perfect”.

Thanks for sharing your story with us. You inspired us. I also have a 2 year old with DS and has doing great. Looking forward for your next videos

This was soooo beautiful everyone is soooo beautiful I love this family he was soooo Blessed to be born in such a GREAT Family 💕 I teared up when the dad said “the best” 😂🥰 they did so good at the radio station I was so proud 😭

Hi. Thanks for sharing about your family and especially about Taonga. Your treasure your gift. You are beutiful parents and Taonga is going to grow up to be whatever he wishes to be, because he was born into an amazing family. On a different note. We also have the name Taonga in my mother language and it means " we're thankful to God / we praise God "

I have a son who has a traumatic brain injury from his birth he is now 23 and his girlfriend has Downs they have been together since middle school and I adore her .They have a love I wish everyone could experience it doesn't matter how long since they have seen each other..they can just sit together and be the happiest people on earth 🌎 I am blessed to have my son and also to have her love him like she does.

Thank you for sharing your family with us. The family has the right attitude about their son and his differences.

Lovely boys, lovely family , lovely life. What a great example to the wingers of this world how to live life to the full with love. U.K fan xx

Hes beautiful and so is his family ❤

Such positive parent's with 3 wonderful son's ❤🇬🇧

Awwww he likes to boogie woogie to music. So cute he's gonna do so much good in his life. He's perfect in every way. What a lovely family.

I had a down syndrome brother. He was so loving. Bless this little guy.

Such a lovely family. Very cute kid. I think alot more people are kinder to anyone that may be different these days. I know I've taught my kids to be kind to everyone. I love these shows.

Such a lovely family you are!! It's so important for people to understand that even with our differences, we are all the same. Bless you for sharing your family. xxx

Aww gorgeous, precious family. So lovely.

He is a tiny gorgeous GIFT FROM GOD✝️

How cute when he copies his mom!! 👋 Pure magic! Keep growing little man! Taonga will still have his independence one day:) This mom boy! Reminds me of my mom, woman dedicated her life to us!! We were not healthy and her life was between hospitals and surviving:)

"Is everybody happy?" "No!!" "Why not??" "IT'S BECAUSE I'M TIRED" 😩 ...😂

He's so very sweet and lovable 💖😊

Such a beautiful family and handsome young boys. So precious.

What a happy little boy. Wonderful parents too.

A lovely, warm, REAL family. Such a pleasure to have the privilege of seeing a small slice of their journey. Thank you!

This video was a blessing for me. Thank you very much, and God bless you and your family.

Excellent share! "Celebrate his differences" Beautiful story.

Such a precious boy, and awesome parents. ❤️

He is very bright and very intelligent, I am in Australia. He is so cute. wish a lot of happiness for all of you.

Ataahua doco such inspiration and I admire this family soooooo much...... blessings

I love their brotherly relationship😍My older brothers (45yrs old & 50yrs old) have DS as well. The bond they have with each other are amazing. We've been blessed that the only medical issues they have are gouts for the oldest which started 2-3yrs ago and seizures for the other which started in his 30s I believe. But his seizures are managed with the medication he takes. Other than that they still do everything by themselves and becomes very aggravated when someone tries to help them. They feel everyone moves too slow, so that's why they wants to do everything themselves🤗I just love how they touches everyone lives that comes into contact with them. The meanest people or people with no patience just falls in love with them💖

I have a 6 year old low functioning autistic son and he has a down syndrome kid in his class that is more advanced than him. My daughter doesn't have autism but she was delayed and started taking classes at 18 months. There was a down syndrome kid in her classes that was the same age and was more advanced than my daughter. Those two kids changed the way I see kids with down syndrome. My neighbor also had down syndrome and my mom was actually his special ed teacher throughout elementary school.

Love this, thx for sharing.

I love your whole family. You are all so loving and genuine towards eachother

The effort for natural bilinguisme is cool....I wish my kids spoke my language...

He is cute and sweet and beautiful no matter how vision he is 26:58 to 27:07 to 27:08 to 27:06

The little añgles are so sweet he is full of love take special care of this beautiful human.

I love your beautiful Taonga and family! Yes, what’s gift you’ve been given! My family has my precious cousin, Monica, age 47, who has an extra 21st chromosome. We adore her, too! 💕😊💙

Thank you for sharing your video it's wonderful. You have an amazing family and such beautiful children.

Your all so blessed! Prayers for you all,and love!

God bless you and your family from Australia

Such an wonderful family ❤️

toooo cute ❤️❤️🥰 amazing family

What a beautiful and loving family🥰

I love how your boys interact. So sweet and kind to their little brother. Lovely little family.

0:03 to 0:02 he is so adorable

He’s a wonderful child!!!!🥰😍

Sweet angel. He's so smart in his own special way

Most beautiful family and I could eat Taonga up he’s super duper cute 🥰

Such a beautiful family 💗