Jackson is 6 years old and the youngest of the Faulkenberry clan. Jackson loves anything Cars (the movie and actual cars), swimming, and playing with his brothers, Michael and Lucas, and his “sissy” Sammi. You might be wondering what is Down syndrome? Down syndrome is when a person has 47 chromosomes (the things inside us that decide how we will grow, act and if we will look like mom or dad) instead of the usual 46 chromosomes. We like to think of it as Jackson got just a little something extra when God made him! Down syndrome isn’t a disease and you can’t “catch it” (although, if you could catch Down syndrome, it would probably just make you smile more).

Down syndrome makes Jackson look a bit different than other people. You might notice that he’s much shorter than kids his age and he has a flatter nose and smaller ears. Down syndrome also makes it hard for Jackson to talk and he is often difficult to understand. Jackson understands everything other people say to him or around him, but he has trouble answering like you and I would. To help others understand him, Jackson not only talks, but uses sign language for some words that are especially hard for him to say. Jackson also has trouble doing some physical activities because of his Down syndrome because his muscles can be weak. Fortunately, swim is easier than some sports for Jackson to do with his weaker muscles (and he LOVES it)!! We encourage you to share this information with your children so they have a better understanding of what they are swimming for. And please, they encourage you all to come and say hello to Jackson.