Mid-South-area mother/entrepreneur Tasha L. Love bringing about Down syndrome awareness through experiences with her daughter

DUNCANVILLE, Texas — Jordan Davis has been appropriately described as a number of things.

Because of her mostly witty and carefree social media photos, “Such a diva” ranks near the very top of the list.

Amongst the reasons is that even as a 15-year-old Memphis Kirby High School student who was born with Down syndrome, Davis is a youngster whom, to her credit, embraces and treats life for what it is — a precious, but fragile gift from God Almighty.

“(She) loves listening to Beyoncé and watching (the reality show) Bring It to practice on her majorette moves,” explained Tasha L. Love, Davis’ mother, during a telephone interview from Memphis with Making Headline News on Saturday. “(She’s) also is a huge Tyler Perry fan and can act out every character on each movie. Can’t forget about hanging with her BFF’s (best friends forever).”

It is, by all accounts, because Davis has been a continuous blessing to Love, her family, close acquaintances, and even total strangers that her mother is challenging others to wear blue and yellow attire on Monday, October 30 as a way to bring about her awareness of people who are harboring this genetic condition.  

October is Down Syndrome Awareness Month. 

According to www.downsyndrome.org, Down syndrome is caused when there is an extra chromosome. People with Down syndrome have 47 chromosomes in their cells instead of 46. They have an extra chromosome 21, which is why Down syndrome is also sometimes known as trisomy 21.

Moreover, although medical experts know how Down syndrome occurs, they have yet to know why it happens. Down syndrome, in fact, occurs at conception, in many cases across all ethnic and social groups and to parents of all ages. Interestingly, it is nobody’s fault, there is no cure, nor does it go away.

In addition, Down syndrome is the most common chromosome disorder that we know of.

According to a report by Down Syndrome Australia, it cited that one out of 700-to-900 babies born worldwide will have Down syndrome, although this number is lower in Australia. Also, People with Down syndrome have some characteristic physical features, as well as health and development challenges and some level of intellectual disability.

Because no two people are alike, each of these things will vary from one person to another, according to a detailed description of the genetic condition at www.downsyndrome.org.au.

As Love specifically acknowledged, she deemed it essential to bring about awareness of Down syndrome, in large part because those with the genetic condition often face being bullied by their peers.

“Often, our children are bullied or stared at because they might look a little different,” Love, a Mid-South-area entrepreneur and a native of Mound Bayou, Mississippi, said. “I want to bring Awareness about Down syndrome, but to also let people in just a little bit on our journey. I also want to give that parent hope that just received the diagnosis or that parent that has a sick child.”

All things considered, Love’s journey with Davis — her young diva who is widely known as “Snuggles” — is one that although it has had its share of challenges, she’d be the first to admit that she wouldn’t trade her precious jewel of a daughter for anything in the world.

“I want to let (others) know (I’m aware) of the bad days, but I also enjoy the amazing ones,” Love said.

Having given birth to her daughter when she was 19 years old, Love wasn’t informed of her Davis’ condition until after she was born.

Truth be told, she admittedly was in denial for some time after fielding such shocking news.

Once the shock had been effectively put to rest, that unyielding love and support had ultimately taken over and have been the primary focus for Love and her family since Davis had made her ceremonious arrival to the world.

“I was in denial even after getting the results,” said Love, “because I couldn’t imagine (raising a child with Down syndrome), but with an amazing support system that are my prayer warriors, I’m definitely enjoying this ride.”

Credit her young teenage diva who’s widely known as “Snuggles” for adding to what undoubtedly is a continuous joy ride.

MAKING HEADLINE NEWS SALUTES TASHA L. LOVE AND JORDAN “SNUGGLES” DAVIS: 

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Andre Johnson is Founder and Publisher of Making Headline News. A 2000 graduate of the University of Memphis School of Journalism and former reporter of sports for the Memphis Commercial Appeal newspaper, Johnson covers the NBA Southwest Division from Dallas, Texas. To reach Johnson, call him at 901-690-6587 or send email to [email protected] or to [email protected]. Also, follow him on Twitter @AJ_Journalist.