Pure joy: Big brother with Down syndrome meets newborn baby brother

In June of 2017, one proud grandmother shared a video of her precious grandsons with the world on YouTube. But this video was special, because big brother Kent, who has Down syndrome, got to meet his little brother, Noah, for the very first time. His reactions are just precious, and he is clearly full of delight in his role as big brother, even delivering a stuffed blue teddy bear for the family’s new arrival.

Kent meeting his new little brother Noah for the first time

The boys’ grandmother wrote on YouTube, “In March of 2017 We welcomed our Sweet Noah! My Grandson Kent, who is 4 yrs. old and also has Down Syndrome, had been waiting so long for this moment, so excited to meet his Little Brother! Kent is going to be the best big brother. He is the most loving boy in the world. He really loves everyone…. whenever he enters or leaves a room he has to hug everyone in it.”

Kent and Noah’s grandmother went on to say that while Kent, at the time, was mostly nonverbal, “he is trying and knows a little sign language,” adding, “He is very smart and understands so much it blows me away.” She said, “Kent can say a few words and the one most used is ‘Yeah!’ He agrees with everything and everyone lol.” Kent is “very social” and “has a million friends who love him,” according to his grandmother.

READ: 22-year-old with Down syndrome becomes Taekwondo world champion

It is incredibly heartwarming to read the words of this grandmother, who clearly adores her grandbabies, calling them, “my beautiful family”:

I can’t wait to see the bond my Beautiful Grandsons develop. I’m sure they will truly be best friends. Kent’s reaction to seeing his little brother for the first time is one of the most beautiful things I’ve seen in my entire life…. just priceless! True Love! …

… In the words of a friend “God gave you all that little cutie for a reason. This, I’m certain, is just the beginning of the lives and hearts he will touch with love and kindness throughout his life. God has truly sent an angel to us all. We now have 2 Angels! Noah & Kent

There are truly no limits to what people with Down syndrome can do, or to what Kent will do when he grows up. People with Down syndrome can be husbands and wives, business owners, lobbyists, missionaries, pageant contestants, and public speakers. But most of all, they are valuable people, regardless of their abilities or career choices — just as we all are.

Sadly, far too many societies view people with Down syndrome as defective… people to be rooted out and eradicated before they even draw breath. But as you can see, people with Down syndrome, like Kent, have an enormous amount to teach the world about love and acceptance. The world would be a much emptier, unhappier place without them.