Parenthood
Grateful dentist shares insight on growing up with father who has Down sysndrome
It's easy to get emotional when listening to the love and thankfulness Sader has for his dad. We should all celebrate the ones we love while we can.
B.T. Swezey
03.21.22

Each year, it is estimated that anywhere from three to five thousand children are born with Down Syndrome globally.

Down Syndrome is caused by a chromosome disorder and is often associated with physical characteristics.

According to the National Down Syndrome Society, these include:

“low muscle tone, small stature, an upward slant to the eyes, and a single deep crease across the center of the palm – although each person with Down syndrome is a unique individual and may possess these characteristics to different degrees, or not at all.”

Pexels - Cliff Booth
Source:
Pexels - Cliff Booth

Of course, having Down syndrome does not mean that you can’t live a normal and fulfilling life.

Take Jad Issa for example.

He was diagnosed with Down Syndrome as a boy and still went on to get married, hold a respectable job, and give birth to a healthy son of his own.

YouTube - SSSD
Source:
YouTube - SSSD

That son, Sader, is now grown into a young man and is currently in his third year as a dental student.

This is a highly respected profession in Syria, where the Issa’s live, and Jad couldn’t be more proud of his son.

Similarly, Sader is proud of his dad.

YouTube - SSSD
Source:
YouTube - SSSD

Ina video released by the Syrian Society for Social Development, Sader explains what it was like growing up with a father who has Down Syndrome.

He says, “A child who grows up in the lap of a person with Down Syndrome will have all the love and tenderness that anyone can offer. This will lead up to a person who has an emotional and social balance and is able to achieve anything he wants.”

YouTube - SSSD
Source:
YouTube - SSSD

Sader points out that being a good father and husband is a challenge for anyone, but his father was able to do both extremely successfully.

He explains, “He was a father, a husband, and a family leader for 21 years. This is a challenge for many people and many people cannot do this. But for my father, it was easy.”

So much love to give

YouTube - SSSD
Source:
YouTube - SSSD

Jad works full-time at the local mill and does everything that he can to provide for his family.

He’s a blessing of a father.

YouTube - SSSD
Source:
YouTube - SSSD

He is very proud of his son and loves to introduce him to people.

In the community, Jad is well-liked and respected as well.

Sader says, “The social relations are simple and pure because he loves every and any one, and in return all people love and respect him and (treat him) like any ordinary person.”

A beautiful outcome

YouTube - SSSD
Source:
YouTube - SSSD

Along with studying to become a dentist, Sader considers himself to be a Down Syndrome advocate.

His goal is to raise awareness of the fact that people living with Down Syndrome can live successful, fulfilling lives just like anyone else.

On his Instagram page, Sader posted a photo of him and his father and had this to say:

“Our loved ones with DS are our source of inspiration and strength, when we feel down they raise us to the highest sky with their love and compassion. Personally I think I would’ve been much less excited about life and much less passionate with what I do if I didn’t have my special father.”

Hear Sader and Issa’s heartwarming story in the video below!

Please SHARE this with your friends and family.

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