Mom Pens Superpowers Song for Son in Honor of World Down Syndrome Day

March 21 is World Down Syndrome Day, and to celebrate, singer and songwriter Rachael Lampa is sharing a heartfelt message of joy, love and strength—through a new song inspired by her 2-year-old son, Leo.

Born on October 28, 2022, Leo was diagnosed with Down syndrome—a journey that Lampa says has completely transformed her perspective on life and motherhood. “I could’ve never imagined that my life could be so flipped upside down in the most steadying way,” she wrote on Instagram, reflecting on Leo’s birth in a post sharing her new song. “I am changed by Leo. I am changed by his Down syndrome diagnosis. I have never felt so at home in myself and my heart.”

The new song, titled Superpowers, serves as a heartfelt anthem celebrating everything Lampa loves about her son—and the beautiful strengths revealed through his diagnosis. In the chorus, Lampa rewrites the harmful narratives often associated with Down syndrome, instead highlighting the inspiration and love she’s found on this journey. “Whatever they said was wrong about you / Couldn’t have been more wrong about you / Standing up to all the doubters / You’re the one with superpowers,” she sings.

In her Instagram Stories, she shared more about the inspiration behind the song. “The story behind Superpowers is basically just renaming all these things society has named as flaws or imperfections. I actually see them as superpowers,” she explained. “Some might say he’s developing slower or he should be doing this or that. I just think he’s putting his time and strength into being loving, being joyful, being resilient, being strong—these are the things he’s focusing on, and to me, those are superpowers.”

Lampa hopes that her song encourages other families walking similar paths to feel seen and celebrated. She’s inviting families to join in by sharing their own stories using the hashtag #superpowers and tagging her—with the dream of eventually throwing a massive “Superpowers Party.”