CALEDONIA, Mich. — A 5-year-old boy in Caledonia has been chosen out of thousands to represent children with Down syndrome in New York’s Times Square. It’s an honor his parents tell 13 ON YOUR SIDE they hope will mean more inclusion for children like their son.
Arnes and Esmina Hamzagic met here in the U.S., although both of their families migrated to this country from Bosnia fleeing war. The two have a son named Harun who has Down syndrome.
His mom explained, “You know, there are days where it’s super difficult but then also days where you’re just like, 'I’m just so happy you’re mine.'”
Down syndrome can often be detected during pregnancy. That was not the case for this couple.
“We actually found out 48 hours after he was born that he had Down syndrome,” said Esmina.
It’s a condition that develops when someone has an extra copy of chromosome 21.
“With that comes the low muscle tone, developmental delays,” said Esmina before adding, “50% of babies with Down syndrome also are born with heart defects and Harun was one of those babies.”
Harun underwent open heart surgery at just 5 months old.
His father said, “It was a tough first year, but I think that’s what made us stronger and more united as a family going through all that.”
Even with these challenges, “He is also [still] a child,” said Esmina.
The 13 ON YOUR SIDE camera crew captured video of Harun as he played with his 3-year-old brother, Amar.
Esmina described Harun, saying, “He’s very social. He loves handshakes. He loves hugs.”
The couple say connecting with the Down Syndrome Association of West Michigan has been a big help.
“You feel less alone, and you feel like they understand your path. It just gives us some kind of comfort knowing that we’re not alone,” said Esmina.
They later came across the NYC Buddy Walk looking for picture submissions to show the faces of people living with Down syndrome.
Esmina said, “This is our third year sending in our pictures and the first year that Harun got chosen out of 3,000 other children.”
Each year, 500 people with Down syndrome are chosen from across the country to highlight their beauty and diversity.
The picture that will represent Harun was taken by Jessi Lynn Photography.
“When we first were walking this journey, we were still grieving, and we were hearing lots of things of like ‘he can’t, he won’t, he will not,’ and so this is just for us to show that he can, and he will,” said Esmina.
The parents hope others don’t count Harun out just because of his differences.
“He loves to play. He loves to learn. He loves to make friends, and so, yes, there are differences but also there are so many similarities,” said Esmina.
The family won’t be in New York for the NYC Buddy Walk when Harun’s picture will be seen on the jumbotron in Times Square. That’s because they’ll be taking part in the Step Up for Down Syndrome Walk happening Saturday, Sept. 7 in Hudsonville. They’ll have a team of 50 wearing the green shirts you see them wearing in the video. The shirts say, “Harun’s heroes.”