Have you recently found out that your baby has Down syndrome? Are you fearful of a Down syndrome diagnosis? We have all faced this at the beginning of a new and exciting journey with our child with Down syndrome. It is scary. Initially, we are shocked by the Down syndrome diagnosis. Then we grieve. It’s not because we don’t love our new child. It’s because it (a Down syndrome pregnancy or a Down syndrome diagnosis) is not what we were expecting (see Welcome to Holland below). Good Job Buddy would like to speak to those who are seeking an answer. A woman who just came from a prenatal doctor’s appointment and has received news about her pregnancy. “The baby has Down syndrome.” This woman is asking herself,
->> “speak to anyone who is seeking an answer. Like, a woman who just came from a prenatal doctor’s appointment and has received news about her pregnancy. “The baby has Down syndrome.” This woman is asking herself, “What should I do? How could this have happened? Should I terminate this pregnancy?” We also want to hear from the family who just brought home their new baby, in a daze, not knowing what tomorrow will bring. Contact us! Reach out to those who have already had this experience. Read what we have written for this site. You are the reason we are here! Also, open your heart to the following account from a mother of a boy with Down syndrome:
There is something about my son that is magical. He is a healer, a teacher, a spiritual guru, a comedian, my best friend and an unexpected miracle. I didn’t always feel that way. It took me some time to get out of myself and quit being so self-centered and insecure. “Poor me, poor me. I have a special needs child. Life will never be the same.” THANK GOD!!! Life is not the same! My life is rich and meaningful now, and filled with the magic of a very special little boy. He touches everyone he meets and leaves seeds that grow into acts of kindness, acceptance, gratitude and love. I feel blessed that I have been chosen to be his mom. What a shallow and ignorant person I was before he came into my life!
Here is the reality. (I will speak about my own child and not generalize about all kids with Down syndrome.) I will never have to worry about my son drunk driving with a group of friends when he is a teenager. I can dismiss many of the issues that parents of typical children will face. I don’t have to worry about being able to afford the newest and coolest clothes and toys. My son will sit and blow bubbles for hours on my porch. He watches each sphere from birth ‘til death with an equal amount of wonder and joy. His temper tantrums might last 1 minute on a bad day. He does not hold a grudge. He is not concerned with his status or what others think. He lives his life to the fullest with no fear and no prejudice. Being his mother is not trying or cumbersome. Watching him reach milestones comes slower, but they are sweeter. It isn’t harder it is just…different. When we overcome irrational fears and the fear of being different, we are one step closer to having a content and peaceful life. That is just one of the many lessons my son has taught me.
My son’s Down syndrome diagnosis was the most scary and most wonderful thing that has ever happened in my life. Our whole family has changed for the better because of him. DO NOT MISS YOUR CHANCE TO HAVE THIS SAME EXPERIENCE. Do your homework first. Gather all the information you can. Not from doctors or clinicians, but from parents, friends and relatives of people with Down syndrome. Don’t let fear rule your decision.
