Ugly? This Little Boy, Who Has Down Syndrome? Someone Said So. Here’s How The Boy’s Mom Replied

Does Down Syndrome make that beautiful little boy in the picture above “ugly?” When Megan Mennes posted that picture of her 16-month-old son Quinn on her Instagram account, some internet troll — a total stranger with the Instagram alias @JusesCrustHD — took it upon himself to post a one-word comment: “Ugly.”

Now, Megan is an English teacher. Words, well, they’re kind of her thing. And she had a few for @JusesCrustHD. She took to her blog to post her response, and though this mom was clearly and understandably upset, her reply was pitch-perfect.

“I don’t want to make assumptions about you, but I can guess from your immaturity and ignorance that you know little about the helplessness that parents feel when caring for a sick infant with respiratory issues,” she wrote. “Quinn was sick last week, but was feeling much better by Friday. We decided to sit in the backyard and soak up the sun after school. There aren’t many things in this world more beautiful than seeing your recently-ill child light up in a smile, and I snapped a few photos to celebrate his recovery, then posted them on Instagram with the hashtag ‘#downsyndrome.'”

But when Megan examined the internet troll’s profile, she found that this person made a habit of seeking out photos of children with Down Syndrome, for the sole purpose of ridiculing them.

“The fact that you find my child ugly is one thing. You are entitled to your opinion. But the fact that you intentionally search #downsyndrome to find pictures to insult (sadly, Quinn is not the only victim of your behavior; I came across many other inflammatory responses) is both childish and sad.” she wrote.

But rather than simply vent her anger at the troll, Megan had some words of sound advice.

“God knows there were plenty of cruel adolescent boys in my time: boys who took pleasure in pranks and jokes at others’ expense. There were even a few of them that were directed at me, but it gave me tough skin and I grew from the experience of facing such mistreatment. Maybe that’s why I’m willing to let this one go; I know where most of those boys ended up and it’s nowhere I’d want to be. And as a teacher, I’ve seen kids like you crash and burn. Go outside. Read a book. Compliment someone. Most importantly, enlighten yourself; there’s already enough cruelty in this world and anyone worth their salt should be striving to make this place better, not worse.”

Will Megan’s comments change the behavior of pathetic, sad individuals who think it’s hilarious to make fun of a baby with Down Syndrome? Probably not. But this mom expressed one wish for her own family.

“I simply hope my own children learn to look past ignorant comments and actions and treat others with respect and dignity,” she concluded. “We all deserve it, even you.”