Welp, this IG post by the brother of Emma Bennett, one of our 2016 Rockin’ Recipients, had me tearing up from just about the very first line ❤️????❤️ Emma’s big brother Cody (on the right) posted this as a tribute to her on her birthday a couple years ago, and when I read it I just had to share!

“If you know Emma… you know she is special. She’s a little different than most of the other kids. She marches to the beat of her own drum and sings louder and prouder than anyone I have ever met. When Emma was born, my family didn’t know she had Down Syndrome. I can still remember my parents explaining to Ethan and I that ‘we can’t really know what to expect… but we are never going to limit her. We are not going to treat her any differently. We’re going to raise Emma just like everyone else. She will get in trouble, and she will be disciplined. That being said, people are going to make fun of her… and it will hurt. You are Emma’s big brothers, and we expect you to stand up for her whether she’s there or not.’ I didn’t know it then, but they were right in every way. She did get in trouble, and my parents disciplined her. People did make fun of her, and it still hurts. You’d be shocked at how many people still speak ignorantly about others with special needs. My parents were also right when they said ‘we can’t really know what to expect.’ I don’t think anyone expected her to go to college, prom, or join the swim team. Keep proving them wrong, Em!”

Omgoodness, I am bawling. ❤️❤️❤️ these beautiful words about a truly beautiful soul!! Her big bro is clearly another beautiful soul – he also wrote, “To Emma- Thank you. Thank you for always loving me with everything you’ve got. I am so proud of you. You are beautiful. You are funny. You are smart. You love your family and friends. I could not ask for a better sister, and I wish I could be more like you.” ????????????

Read more about Emma here: http://rubysrainbow.org/recipients/emma-bennett-university-tennessee-future-program/

#KeepOnRockinItEmma #TheLuckyFew #DownSyndromeRocks #DownSyndromeIsBeautiful #SaturdayInspiration