{"id":62911,"date":"2015-04-23T16:15:29","date_gmt":"2015-04-23T20:15:29","guid":{"rendered":"\/news\/?p=62911"},"modified":"2015-04-24T14:31:52","modified_gmt":"2015-04-24T18:31:52","slug":"dad-creates-photos-of-his-son-flying-to-raise-awareness-for-down-syndrome","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/archive.liveaction.org\/news\/dad-creates-photos-of-his-son-flying-to-raise-awareness-for-down-syndrome\/","title":{"rendered":"Dad creates photos of his son ‘flying’ to raise awareness for Down syndrome"},"content":{"rendered":"
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A Utah dad’s creative\u00a0photo series<\/a> displaying\u00a0his 18-month-old son, Wil, “flying” has gone viral. Father Alan Lawrence, who created the images, said he launched\u00a0the series to raise awareness for Down syndrome, noting that \u201ca child with Down syndrome can be a blessing to your family.\u201d<\/p>\n

Titled “Wil Can Fly,” the photos showcase the preciousness of individuals with\u00a0Down syndrome,\u00a0and the truth that\u00a0disabilities do not hinder an individual’s potential to pursue their dreams.<\/p>\n

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Lawrence told Buzzfeed that he did not know that his son had Down syndrome while in the womb. When doctors informed Lawrence and his wife, his wife handled the news\u00a0“really, really well.” However, Lawrence struggled with it:\u00a0\u201cI was a little more selfish about it.”<\/p>\n

The idea for the photo series sparked\u00a0after the couple\u00a0noticed that Wil’s crawl looked as if he would\u00a0take off in flight. Lawrence said he saw\u00a0the\u00a0empowering and life-affirming message that the images could present:\u00a0\u201cWil is going to be able to do anything he [puts]\u00a0his mind to.”<\/p>\n

Preborn children prenatally diagnosed with Down syndrome are tragically aborted at an extremely high rate. These heartwarming images, however, affirm the dignity of human life, proving that\u00a0all individuals, regardless of disability, are precious.<\/p>\n

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Getting my kids to focus on their homework is not easy. Wil buzzing around their heads does not seem to be helping the problem. #wilcanfly #downsyndromeawareness #downsyndrome<\/a><\/p>\n

A photo posted by Alan Lawrence (@thatdadblog) on