My name is Alicia de Haas and I am very happy to invite you into this little book about my life so far. I am especially excited that my book will be available for my dear family and friends. However, I really want to tell everyone my story, from the time I was born till today when I am enjoying my life as a thirty-eight-year-old woman living with my adoptive parents, Peter and Angela, in Mareeba, in Far North Queensland, Australia. I have Down’s Syndrome, with some intellectual and physical disabilities (especially problems with my heart) which have been present since I was born … but this hasn’t stopped me at all from living a very full and rich life, filled with much love, joy and laughter–and with lots of adventures. While I do have some disabilities, I have many more abilities. I am looking forward to telling you about some of these.
My story doesn’t totally belong to me. Above everything else, my life, my story, is about the constant, unconditional love and wonderful care my parents, our extended families, and my friends, have given me over the years. Without this, there wouldn’t be much of a story to tell.
I dearly love my family and my friends. I think I might have mentioned this more than a few times in this book! My heartfelt love for them is an integral part of my life story and how I have affected, and changed, those who are closest to me. Today, I am very happy being who I am and am looking forward to seeing what the future holds. I am hopeful about my future … and I still have dreams! I hope you will enjoy my little book. It’s my little gift of love, and of hope. Alicia