Annika DeJonge

About this Offering

It has become apparent to me over the years that the special needs and disabled communities are not seen by the majority of society as a marginalized group that faces discrimination, exclusion, prejudice, and oppression on a daily basis. This idea was only emphasized when I researched songs for this project. There was an extremely small selection of songs written for or about the special needs community. And when I say a small selection, I mean about three songs written by artists I had never heard of.

Growing up with a severely cognitively impaired and medically complex sister, I grew up in and surrounded by the special needs community. With that, I also witnessed and experienced first-hand the prejudice and discrimination they face. I grew up watching other children pick on and make fun of my sister. I grew up seeing fully-grown adults pull their children away from her out of fear that she would harm their children or that they would “catch” whatever "horrible sickness" she had. I grew up being ostracized by neighbors because they didn’t want to have to "deal with" having my sister around. My family has been asked not to come back to places we attended regularly because they “weren’t equipped” to “deal” with my sister. These are only a few of my personal examples. Others have had it much worse.

I firmly believe that it is our job to defend and speak for those who, oftentimes quite literally, can’t speak for themselves. People will often say to me or my family members, “I don’t know how you do it. I could never do what you do.” They say that like it’s a compliment. Like, somehow, the reason I love my sister is a result of something special about me that no one could or should be expected to have. While this is a well-meaning statement, it’s horribly ignorant, uninformed, and offensive. Let me explain why: if my sister was your child or your sibling, you wouldn’t bat an eye at doing exactly what my family and I do every day. By saying this, you are implying that loving a disabled individual is a choice and a chore. It is neither. Unless you are a callous, unfeeling person, loving your child, sibling, or family member for the abilities, or disabilities, they were born with is absolutely not a choice. It is an innate instinct.

The love I have for my sister is one of the most unique and powerful loves I have ever experienced in my life. And while caring for an individual with a disability is challenging and extremely frustrating at times, it is never a chore. This song “If There Was No You” by Brandie Carlile accurately describes the love, protection, and deep connection I have for my sister. While it was originally written as a romantic song, I think it puts perfectly into words the way people in the special needs community feel about their loved ones.

Peace Builder Biography

My name is Annika DeJonge. I am currently studying Voice Performance in Opera at the University of Michigan SMTD. I am very passionate about creating stories through my art. Art is a safe haven for me in life, and I want to pay it forward. I am also involved in advocating for fair and kind treatment of those with disabilities/special needs. Along with my personal experience, I have volunteered at several summers camps helping those with disabilities thrive and learn every-day skills. So while this style of music is not what I'm trained in or usually sing, I felt the story needed to be shared.