A Story of Down Syndrome Awareness and Tolerance
by Tom and Bryan Lambke
“It is not my fault. I just am.” — Bryan Lambke
Bryan Lambke, with the help of his father, Tom, examines what is normal about each of us.
All too often, we shroud ourselves in ignorance, which ultimately can prevent us from learning from others whom we consider to be somehow “different.” In his book, I Just Am: A Story of Down Syndrome Awareness and Tolerance, Bryan Lambke, a young man with Down syndrome, invites us into his world where he lets us know he shares the same dreams and emotions as everyone else.
EXCERPT FROM I JUST AM
I dream. I hope. I have plans. I have goals. Isn’t that normal? Or is it? I don’t lie. I don’t cheat. I don’t steal. Now that’s not normal. I don’t try to deceive. I don’t put on an act. I just try to be me. Maybe I’m not normal. I’m not perfect. Who is? I look different. Doesn’t everyone? I don’t get it. Do you? What is normal? I just am.
ABOUT THE AUTHORS
Bryan Lambke is the son of Tom and Karen Lambke. An avid sports enthusiast, Bryan was just eight years old when he competed for the first time in the track and field events of the Illinois Special Olympics. Fourteen years later, he stood atop the winner's platform at the 2003 Special Olympics Summer World Games in Ireland.
“This engaging and helpful book updates older titles that might describe people as ‘suffering from’ or being ‘afflicted with’ mental retardation. Weed those and replace them with this one.”
— School Library Journal
