The Lucky Few Tattoo showing up in the Ozarks

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NIXA, Mo. Every parent hopes for their kids to be strong and healthy.

Kim Taylor, mother of four and member of the Down Syndrome Group of the Ozarks said, "It was my biggest fear before we had her. Was that a child of mine would have down syndrome.And so the day she was born, I was heartbroken."

But organizations like the Down Syndrome Group of the Ozarks create a community for support, and even activities like this- getting matching tattoos.

Lauren Moreland, President of Down Syndrome Group of the Ozarks said, "The tattoo is just a way to be able to bring everybody together and say, hey! We're all one family, we're all one big tribe."

The design that everyone lined up for today: these three arrows. Now, these three simple arrows represent the three copies on the 21st chromosome, and how this group is able to rise up and move forward.

"Sometimes as parents, sometimes just as family members, with individuals with Down Syndrome, we face challenges. And so, a lot of times we have to be pulled back, like an arrow to shoot forward. So, that's the thought that it is just outward from our bodies, so that way we just kind of go forward," Lauren said

"I have four kids, so when I wanted to get this one, I'm going to make sure that they know that it's not just about the child with down syndrome, that it's them too. So, they each have 2 chromosome, and my daughter with down syndrome has 3. So, get the whole family!" Said Kim.

A family reminding everyone that down syndrome is not something to be afraid of.

"And now I'm heartbroken thinking about how heartbroken I was because she's been wonderful and it's not something to fear. It's we're going to come across challenges, but I have 3 other kids that I come across challenges as well. They're just not shown on their faces," Kim said.

But at least their signs of support and triumph can be shown in other ways.

For more information on the Down Syndrome Group of the Ozarks you can visit their website, or find their "the Down Syndrome Group of the Ozarks" page on Facebook.