Mom pens letter after son with Down Syndrome excluded from party

CANADA (WTXF)- A mom in Canada was heartbroken to say the least after her son's entire class was invited to a child's birthday party, with the exception of her son. Her son, Sawyer, has Down Syndrome.

Jennifer Kiss-Engele posted her letter to the parent who did not invite Sawyer to the party on Facebook along with a photo of her son. She writes that her goal is to share a valuable lesson while also advocating and educating.

Jennifer begins by acknowledging that the other 22 students in the class were invited, with the exception of her son.

She goes on to eliminate all the possible reasons her son may not have been invited:

"I know it's not because he's mean, you couldn't meet a happier child. I know it's not because he's not fun, he has a great sense of humour and an infectious laugh. I know it's not because your child and him don't get along, he's brought up your child's name on several occasions."

She then claims the "only reason why you decided it was OK to not invite my son to your child's birthday party is because he has Down Syndrome."

Jennifer writes that the mother may not be informed on what it means to have Down Syndrome, and proposes that this experience can be an opportunity for the parent to get to know more about her son.

"You see, having Down Syndrome doesn't mean that you don't want to have friends. It doesn't mean that you don't have feelings. It doesn't mean you don't like to go to birthday parties. People with Down Syndrome want the same things that you and I want. "

She continues on, and adds that at one point in her life she was also scared and misinformed about her son's condition. She says she worried about the connections Sawyer would have with her other children, and explains that her worries were unfounded, and their connection has shaped her children into better individuals.

Jennifer concluded her letter by offering the parent an opportunity to talk, which she later says the parent took her up on.

She added the happy ending that the parent she was referring to spoke to her child about Sawyer, Sawyer received a special invitation to the party.

Jennifer writes that Sawyer has had a smile on his face ever since.

You can read her full post above: