Today (March 21) is World Down Syndrome Day. The video below, #HowDoYouSeeMe, has been released to increase awareness of Down Syndrome and to challenge the way we view those with Down syndrome.

The video focuses on AnnaRose, “a nineteen year old from NJ. She’s a full time college student who works part-time at a physical therapy center and enjoys basketball and swimming through the Special Olympics NJ. AnnaRose, as many people with Down syndrome, only wants to realize her potential and live a meaningful, beautiful life.”

Watch it right to the end to feel the full force of the sucker punch.

What struck me on a second viewing (and you really have to watch it twice) was a repeating sentence: ”This is how I see myself.” It gets to the core question of identity, how AnnaRose defines herself, how she answers that second most important and influential question in the world, “Who am I?” (#1 being, “Who is God?”).

The more people I counsel, the more and more I see that wrong answers to this question of personal identity are at the root of most people’s problems. This video illustrates how AnnaRose’s answer to that question, “Who am I?” impacts every part of her life in a positive way. In doing so, it challenges us to change the way we view people with Down syndrome and the way we view ourselves.

How are you answering that question “Who am I?” and how is it influencing your life? For good or bad?