After difficulties conceiving and a failed round of IVF, Jessica Egan and her husband had been overjoyed when they learned they were expecting. However, 11 weeks into their parenting journey, a blood test revealed that the little girl growing inside Jessica was positive for Trisomy 21. Down syndrome.
Image credits: Jessica Young Egan
Image credits: oursweetgwendolyn
“When we decided to have a baby, of course, we hoped that it would happen right away,” Jessica told Bored Panda. “When it didn’t, we found that it was easier to bear because there are so many resources available for people who are struggling to get pregnant. I joined a local infertility support group and made a lot of great friendships with other ladies going through the same thing. When our first round of IVF failed, it was disappointing, but we decided not to get discouraged and to keep trying. It was from our second attempt at IVF that our special kid was born.”
Image credits: oursweetgwendolyn
Image credits: oursweetgwendolyn
“We found out when I was 11 weeks pregnant that our unborn baby had been diagnosed with DNS. At first, we were devastated, but it was because we didn’t have any experience with Down syndrome, and it was something we were not expecting at all. We grieved very deeply for about three days, and then my husband and I decided that we wanted to educate ourselves so that we could be happy and look forward to the birth of our special needs baby.”
And that was when things began to change. Jessica and her husband contacted their local Down syndrome foundation and started educating themselves about the genetic disorder that roughly 1 in every 700 babies are born with. The exact number varies depending on the region, though. For example, as Down Syndrome Australia notes, the number is closer to 1 in 1,100 babies in their area.
“Education was the biggest factor in changing our feelings about a child with Down syndrome,” Jessica added. “We realized that we simply didn’t understand this diagnosis because we didn’t know anyone with Down syndrome. It is natural to fear things that we don’t know or understand, so we reached out to people in our community that had such special needs kids, and we made some great connections. We began to see that this indeed was nothing to be afraid of and that instead, we were lucky for being chosen to have such a special and unique daughter.
Image credits: Jessica Young Egan
After spending two months raising their precious little daughter, Jessica wrote an incredibly sincere ‘review’ of her and posted it to Facebook:
“When I placed my order, I said, ‘Regular amount of chromosomes, please!’ That’s what everyone else got and what I wanted too. They called me shortly after my order was in production and said ‘Great news, we went ahead and upgraded you to extra chromosomes for free! You’ll receive the extra chromosomes with your completed order in 9 months.’ What?! I was mad!”
Image credits: oursweetgwendolyn
“All the other orders I had seen displayed via perfect Instagram posts did NOT have extra chromosomes. Well, I decided that receiving my order with extra chromosomes was better than not receiving an order at all, so I settled in to wait for this surprise upgrade to arrive. I have now had my order for two months and am writing this review to let others know the upgrade to extra chromosomes is amazing!! If offered, definitely take it! I posted some photos below of the finished product, and you can see the extra chromosome is so worth it – it is extra cute, extra special, and extra-ordinary! So much extra joy. Would purchase again for sure.”
Image credits: oursweetgwendolyn
Image credits: Jessica Young Egan
Her post has already received over 347,000 likes. “The feedback has been so full of positivity, love, and acceptance that it is overwhelming. I have heard from multiple people who also recently have had a baby with Down Syndrome but are still coming to terms with it and have been in a very dark place. Hearing that my post touched them so completely and helped heal them is humbling, and truly something I will honor for the rest of my life.”
Image credits: oursweetgwendolyn
There are, however, a few things that Jessica and her husband still need to figure out. “One of the biggest challenges so far as a parent is not knowing what to expect as far as growth milestones,” she said. “This is our first child, so we don’t have anything to compare it to, but we always still wonder how she’s doing and how she will continue to develop. As of now, however, she is developing extremely well and is very accepted by everyone around her. We also have a big support group of other new parents who have babies with Down syndrome and so we feel very lucky and supported.”
Image credits: Jessica Young Egan
Image credits: oursweetgwendolyn
“When you receive a diagnosis of Down syndrome it is scary simply because it is not what you expected. It is important to let yourself grieve and then realize that this is not bad, it is just different. But all children are different, and there are no guarantees that any child you have won’t suffer from some sort of illness or differences. Children with Down syndrome are more like other children than they are different, and it is important not to spend too much time grieving because in the end, you will be so in love with your child!”
Image credits: oursweetgwendolyn
Image credits: oursweetgwendolyn
Image credits: oursweetgwendolyn
What is Down syndrome?
As both parents pass their genes on to their children, these genes are carried in chromosomes. When the sells of the baby are developing, each cell is supposed to receive 23 pairs of chromosomes, for 46 chromosomes total. Half from the mother, and half from the father.
In children with Down syndrome, however, one of the chromosomes doesn’t separate properly. The baby ends up with three copies, or an extra partial copy, of chromosome 21, instead of two. This extra chromosome is what leads to problems as the brain and physical features develop.
There are three types of Down syndrome. Trisomy 21 (there’s an extra copy of chromosome 21 in every cell. This is the most common form of Down syndrome), Mosaicism (which occurs when a child is born with an extra chromosome in some but not all of their cells. People who have mosaic Down syndrome have fewer symptoms than those with Trisomy 21), and Translocation (with this type of Down syndrome, children have only an extra part of chromosome 21).
Image credits: oursweetgwendolyn
Image credits: oursweetgwendolyn
Image credits: Jessica Young Egan
Image credits: Jessica Young Egan
Image credits: Jessica Young Egan
Image credits: Jessica Young Egan
Image credits: Jessica Young Egan
To follow how the family’s doing, check out their Facebook and Instagram pages!
Image credits: oursweetgwendolyn
People have been relating to Jessica’s words in the sweetest ways
Love this family, love the review. But please dont romanticize special needs kids as angels among us
It belittles the fact that they face all the same struggles as nuerotypical and non physically challenged kids plus their disabilites. Their parents arent super-parents either, its a struggle. That daid i am glad that downs is no longer treated as a death sentence
Load More Replies...Yes she is cute and now that she is born, she should have all the love and care in the world. However, stating “We began to realize that Down syndrome was nothing to fear“ is just not true. Or at least one should also realize that people with down syndrome will never be able to take care of them selves. They often suffer from a lot of different conditions like heart problens, problems with the intestine, poor eyesight, problems with breathing while asleep because of an enlarged tongue etc etc. A downs syndrome person rarely gets older than 60. There is a reason why we scan for this condition - it is not only a question about accepting a berson with special needs.
Is it the numbers of years you spend on the planet or is it the quality of life, that makes life worth living? Downs is nothing to fear, but something you need to educate yourself about and accept, that is why we scan for it. Plus that we need to monitor the child more closely. And by the way, my autism leaves me in need of a lot of support from society, does that make my life less worth living? Scientist have said that the reason for that autism is as common as it it, is probably due to that we that have it tend to survive better during really hard times as we don't need other humans in the same extent as others and that we don't feel like we have to live by some idiotic rules set up by society. This planet is big enough for us all, people with downs will always be better persons than the rest of us. Have you ever heard about a nazi with downs?
Load More Replies...Whoever took the studio shots is awesome, great pics. When I was pregnant with my second I was 42. In the middle of planning various tests and whatnot, I was sleepless for a few nights wondering what would we do if there was something wrong. Out of nowhere a tiny voice said: you would never have an abortion. Which was right. I would take whatever baby popped out. He's good, he's 17 years old, and a great kid. I'm grateful that abortion is possible for all women who need it. I grew up when women were getting hacked up abortions in back alleys and were dying because they got septic. Safe, legal abortions: because I don't get to choose whether or not YOU should keep your baby.
When I was in primary school one of my class mates had a brother with downs syndrome. We adored him, gorgeous little lad. Would beg his mother to bring him in regularly. As a child and as an adult (worked in a school for special needs children) I've only ever had positive experiences of people with downs or other special needs.
My uncle has down syndrome and he is 58 years old now. He is the happiest person you can imagine - nearly always smiling, joking, dancing and enjoying life. He is working in a special needs workshop and earns his own income (varying tasks, but for example assembling sun shades for cars, but also other assembly tasks). I love him dearly, we all do. He has been the joy of my grandparents, who both passed away (it is good they went before him, as they would probably not have survived his loss). But at the same time, he *does* need a very special care. My mother now lives together with him in the small flat they grew up in and during the non-work hours, he cannot be left alone. He sometimes gets afraid of things like stairs, is afraid of dogs and then sort of shuts down or tries to flee. He is healthy (thank g-d!), but his condition often comes with a heart condition. The level of cognitive abilities varies widely. My uncle is barely able to communicate via speech. (1/2)
He does speak, but it's more akin to: me: "HI!" "him: "aaaah SASAAA!" (beaming) "hey, how are you?" "a-igh!" "It's weekend!" "yaaa!" So you cannot really have a conversation, but it is enough and his enthusiasm transcents any language barrier that might exist. Experiencing the joy and love of someone with ds is truly special. Others can talk normally and some, rare cases, even graduate from school and some attend university. It is a spectrum and today's medicine and education is much more advanced, so they are not necessarily short-lived. But it still is a task for a lifetime as some might not be able to live independently, like my uncle. Nevertheless, I would accept the extra-chromosome variant, too, because of those experiences. <3
Load More Replies...Thank you for sharing. I loved this post and the tenderness it shows.
Such a little cutie! I hope she inherits her Mum's lovely red hair. Congratulations on your lovely new daughter!
Beautiful baby, beautiful family. I'm glad her perspective changed...and I hope this gives perspective and hope for other families who are not sure what to expect. I know there are struggles though, and wish all the best and love for the babies and their families. My son is autistic. He has some very engaging (if it's the correct subject) and delightful qualities I wouldn't trade for the world. There are struggles and I hate seeing his difficulties. But he rarely meets anyone who doesn't become a friend.
She's beautiful, and obviously much loved. Even the dog thinks she's beautiful! I'm jealous of her wardrobe, LOL.
I love kids with Down Syndrome. Every one of them I've met are feisty happy people. I have noticed an odd trend of downs syndrome kids that are obsessed with Maroon 5. Not sure why they find the music so fascinating.
Honest as the day is long, loving and kind, beautiful souls, and laughter that makes you smile and laugh,too! Talkative once they learn to talk, or shy, just like any other kid. Always believe the best in everyone, butalso a great judge of who’s truthful and who isn’t. Love, love and more love!
What do you mean?! I’m glad that she feels postitive about her child. Good for her!
Load More Replies...Obviously I hope everything works out well for this child and the family - but it seems sad to me that more and more folks seem to be getting IFV instead of adopting. We need to improve the adoption system so it's easier and more affordable for people.
It’s not up to infertile people to solve the adoption crisis.
Load More Replies...It’s a common English phrase, because made her pregnant, even though he isn’t pregnant himself.
Load More Replies...What an amaZing little girl you have, I have a nephew with downs and he is an awesome guy , I love him beyond measure - God chooses special people to have Downs babies, I hope you are feeling Blessed cause that's what you and your husband she is a darling little gem congratulations to you both xXx
I think the toughest thing I have seen over many years is that it's easy to romanticize special needs when a person is a baby or small child. But once that person goes through puberty and into adulthood, the families often have terrible struggles with physically caring for a much larger person, or dealing with the problems of an inability to work or live independently, or emotional and psychological issues of someone who is limited by their disability. The worst part of all is the anxiety and stress faced by ageing parents when they have to contemplate what will happen to their dependent child when they die. I've watched the process twice within my own close family, and many, many times in my friend groups and through work. Love your special needs children fiercely, but don't sell it as a cutesy-wutesy story. It's disingenuous and it detracts from the realities of raising a special needs person through adulthood and beyond. Yes, to love and acceptance, but also to the reality.
I had a baby with Down syndrome but she died shortly after she was a year old. I hold firmly to my heart all the memories of her because she brought nothing but joy to my life. I wish you all the best with the little precious one.
She is so precious. I just want to hug her and kiss those little cheeks!!!
I think Gwendolyn is picture perfect just the way she is. May she bring you so much joy, laughter and unconditional love in the years to come. She will teach you so many things about life. Thank Heavens for children with Up Syndrome because they are a blessing from God.
a baby is a baby and just to be beloved, to create a strong adult, even with this syndrome
What a beautiful little delicate baby girl. I love this story and Kudos to these loving parents for not aborting this gift from God. This little darling is going to experience so much love in her life. God bless them all.
Well obviously it's much easier to have a healthy, normal kid, but I'm glad that these people still love their child
We fear the unknown...well done to these parents who instead of going down the self pity road went out and educated themselves so that they were as prepared, as any first time parents can be and then took the time to pass on the gift of what they had learned to hopefully reach more parents facing the same fears. Bravo and their daughter is gorgeous
Having taught those with different forms of challenges I have always been amazed at the tenacity of those with downs. When a good family connection is there it will give them the confidence to dream big and do amazing things. Yes, it is extra individual work but that is what parenting is about. I can see from the support this precious child will get she will do just fine. To this babies parents, God bless you for accepting this challenge treat her as any other child and do not allow yourselves or others to set her apart.
Precious, she is! She & her parents will face struggles most of the population will not have to deal with, but they will grow & be stronger & more compassionate. Love the attitude of these parents.
You have been blessed with a beautiful baby girl, some women never have a baby, I do feel bad for them, God bless your little family, you will have a future full of love !!!
I will always remember being in a shop one day and a Down's syndrome boy came in with his mother. He was smiling from ear to ear, the pure joy just radiated from him. He had just won a swimming medal in the special Olympics. While everyone in the shop was congratulating him some jerk said "isn't it wonderful how they let disabled people do things like that". I couldn't help myself. I just turned on him and said "I can't swim a stroke. So in comparison to him I'd be the disabled one if we were anywhere near water". That's the wonderful thing about Down's Syndrome people. They NEVER let anything stop them from achieving what thay want and when they succeed they love to share their success with everyone. They are so full of love and joy and they are happy to spread it around. They are truly the most beautiful people as you will find out with your gorgeous little girl. I wish you all the luck in the world . God bless.
I commend this couple and anyone who can live with a special needs child, I personally couldn't and wouldn't do it.
Anyone having children may end up with a special needs child.
Load More Replies...I am the parent of a beautiful, funny, determined, stubborn as a mule little girl who has Down Syndrome. Her smile lights up the room and could melt the coldest heart. I didn't know until she was born at 33 wks (long, painful story, I now have ptsd) I felt (still do) soul crushing guilt that I had let her down, any child is a massive responsibility, but a child like ours, 100x, every decision has to be spot on. I don't see her condition, she is her and that's it, I won't let it define her or how she is treated. I expect the same standards from her as her siblings. Every milestone that you might not necessarily pay that much attention to is celebrated and savoured and so much sweeter. I have worked hard with her, which was very easy, she's determined and independent, she goes to mainstream school, has lots of friends and can read and write. March 21st is World Down Syndrome Day, get your odd socks on!!
I love the Down syndrome people I have come into contact with. They teach you how to be really happy. Such great value! We need more of them around.
I love how honest the mother is about the process her and her husband went through with both trouble conceiving and then finding out that their daughter would have Down Syndrome once they did finally conceive. Like the article states, the severity of Down Syndrome depends on the type and the individual. Developmental milestones are usually met later than normal in non-trisomy 21 children, and milestones can’t be predicted though extra work can help them. About 1/2 of all children born with Down Syndrome suffer from heart defects as well and have increased risk of leukemia, thyroid conditions, and illnesses like pneumonia. They also can suffer from hearing loss from damaged nerves or fluid in the ear, which can definitely play a role in their speech development. Their daughter is adorable and absorbs all the love, and I’m glad they finally had a child. Down Syndrome people can be successful and are loving, but the serious health issues it brings should not be overlooked.
I'm happy she is happy but I wonder how her child will evolve. You have high functioning and low functioning. I have seen people with downsyndrome be teachers, actors and so much more. But I have also seen the people with Down Syndrome that are unable to talk, stand constantly swaying back and forth unable to close their mouths because of their enlarged tongues. I hope for the little girl will be able to do whatever she desires but it seems so many people only see Down Syndrome as people with "'funny eyes" and a "big tongue". There is so much more to this. It warms the heart however to see she has such loving parents and accepting people. I hope it all works out for the best but right now it is far too early to tell.
As a nurse, I did a lot of home health visits. Several were for babies with Down's Syndrome. The one thing that always amazed me is that I never saw one cry. I know they must, but they always seemed so happy.
I don't think this post highlights the fact that these kids will need constant support and will outlive their parents. It's incredibly sad to see parents in their 70s trying to control their downs kids who are lacking the understanding that their parents can't withstand the kind of abuse that an upset 40 year old with no tolerance for change or disappointment can bestow on their pensioner carer.
It’s about a baby. That’s many decades down the road.
Load More Replies...People with downs syndrome, are angels that have decided to walk among us, to teach us what true love and acceptance is. If you have such a person in your life, you will never feel unloved again.
Not sure why you got down voted. Clearly whoever did so has not spent enough time with the special needs community. You are right in everything you say <3
Load More Replies...This is truly the ultimate in white, first world, privilege. They couldn't get pregnant so 2 rounds of IVF -that would total in at around what... somewhere in the region of $30k? They could have donated that to a charity for unwanted children with down syndrome -because trust me there's plenty. In fact there are millions of starving children of all shapes and sizes all over the world but NOOO you have to have your own- so you create one who is... yes this sounds callous... ultimately ill, will never be able to live an independent life and will not have the privilege of a normal life expectancy. Whilst other healthy children around the world die of curable illness and starve, you spend thousands so you can stare at something with your own genetics. Without sharing a chromosome with you you can't love them I guess. I don't think it's right at all.
And yet that still doesn't protect you from the possibility. Accidents, brain tumour, aneurysm, disease... ANYONE can find themselves with a child that has major disabilities.
Load More Replies...How on earth could it possibly matter to you? What is your problem? If we wanted a perfect world I suspect you wouldn't have made the cut.
Load More Replies...Love this family, love the review. But please dont romanticize special needs kids as angels among us
It belittles the fact that they face all the same struggles as nuerotypical and non physically challenged kids plus their disabilites. Their parents arent super-parents either, its a struggle. That daid i am glad that downs is no longer treated as a death sentence
Load More Replies...Yes she is cute and now that she is born, she should have all the love and care in the world. However, stating “We began to realize that Down syndrome was nothing to fear“ is just not true. Or at least one should also realize that people with down syndrome will never be able to take care of them selves. They often suffer from a lot of different conditions like heart problens, problems with the intestine, poor eyesight, problems with breathing while asleep because of an enlarged tongue etc etc. A downs syndrome person rarely gets older than 60. There is a reason why we scan for this condition - it is not only a question about accepting a berson with special needs.
Is it the numbers of years you spend on the planet or is it the quality of life, that makes life worth living? Downs is nothing to fear, but something you need to educate yourself about and accept, that is why we scan for it. Plus that we need to monitor the child more closely. And by the way, my autism leaves me in need of a lot of support from society, does that make my life less worth living? Scientist have said that the reason for that autism is as common as it it, is probably due to that we that have it tend to survive better during really hard times as we don't need other humans in the same extent as others and that we don't feel like we have to live by some idiotic rules set up by society. This planet is big enough for us all, people with downs will always be better persons than the rest of us. Have you ever heard about a nazi with downs?
Load More Replies...Whoever took the studio shots is awesome, great pics. When I was pregnant with my second I was 42. In the middle of planning various tests and whatnot, I was sleepless for a few nights wondering what would we do if there was something wrong. Out of nowhere a tiny voice said: you would never have an abortion. Which was right. I would take whatever baby popped out. He's good, he's 17 years old, and a great kid. I'm grateful that abortion is possible for all women who need it. I grew up when women were getting hacked up abortions in back alleys and were dying because they got septic. Safe, legal abortions: because I don't get to choose whether or not YOU should keep your baby.
When I was in primary school one of my class mates had a brother with downs syndrome. We adored him, gorgeous little lad. Would beg his mother to bring him in regularly. As a child and as an adult (worked in a school for special needs children) I've only ever had positive experiences of people with downs or other special needs.
My uncle has down syndrome and he is 58 years old now. He is the happiest person you can imagine - nearly always smiling, joking, dancing and enjoying life. He is working in a special needs workshop and earns his own income (varying tasks, but for example assembling sun shades for cars, but also other assembly tasks). I love him dearly, we all do. He has been the joy of my grandparents, who both passed away (it is good they went before him, as they would probably not have survived his loss). But at the same time, he *does* need a very special care. My mother now lives together with him in the small flat they grew up in and during the non-work hours, he cannot be left alone. He sometimes gets afraid of things like stairs, is afraid of dogs and then sort of shuts down or tries to flee. He is healthy (thank g-d!), but his condition often comes with a heart condition. The level of cognitive abilities varies widely. My uncle is barely able to communicate via speech. (1/2)
He does speak, but it's more akin to: me: "HI!" "him: "aaaah SASAAA!" (beaming) "hey, how are you?" "a-igh!" "It's weekend!" "yaaa!" So you cannot really have a conversation, but it is enough and his enthusiasm transcents any language barrier that might exist. Experiencing the joy and love of someone with ds is truly special. Others can talk normally and some, rare cases, even graduate from school and some attend university. It is a spectrum and today's medicine and education is much more advanced, so they are not necessarily short-lived. But it still is a task for a lifetime as some might not be able to live independently, like my uncle. Nevertheless, I would accept the extra-chromosome variant, too, because of those experiences. <3
Load More Replies...Thank you for sharing. I loved this post and the tenderness it shows.
Such a little cutie! I hope she inherits her Mum's lovely red hair. Congratulations on your lovely new daughter!
Beautiful baby, beautiful family. I'm glad her perspective changed...and I hope this gives perspective and hope for other families who are not sure what to expect. I know there are struggles though, and wish all the best and love for the babies and their families. My son is autistic. He has some very engaging (if it's the correct subject) and delightful qualities I wouldn't trade for the world. There are struggles and I hate seeing his difficulties. But he rarely meets anyone who doesn't become a friend.
She's beautiful, and obviously much loved. Even the dog thinks she's beautiful! I'm jealous of her wardrobe, LOL.
I love kids with Down Syndrome. Every one of them I've met are feisty happy people. I have noticed an odd trend of downs syndrome kids that are obsessed with Maroon 5. Not sure why they find the music so fascinating.
Honest as the day is long, loving and kind, beautiful souls, and laughter that makes you smile and laugh,too! Talkative once they learn to talk, or shy, just like any other kid. Always believe the best in everyone, butalso a great judge of who’s truthful and who isn’t. Love, love and more love!
What do you mean?! I’m glad that she feels postitive about her child. Good for her!
Load More Replies...Obviously I hope everything works out well for this child and the family - but it seems sad to me that more and more folks seem to be getting IFV instead of adopting. We need to improve the adoption system so it's easier and more affordable for people.
It’s not up to infertile people to solve the adoption crisis.
Load More Replies...It’s a common English phrase, because made her pregnant, even though he isn’t pregnant himself.
Load More Replies...What an amaZing little girl you have, I have a nephew with downs and he is an awesome guy , I love him beyond measure - God chooses special people to have Downs babies, I hope you are feeling Blessed cause that's what you and your husband she is a darling little gem congratulations to you both xXx
I think the toughest thing I have seen over many years is that it's easy to romanticize special needs when a person is a baby or small child. But once that person goes through puberty and into adulthood, the families often have terrible struggles with physically caring for a much larger person, or dealing with the problems of an inability to work or live independently, or emotional and psychological issues of someone who is limited by their disability. The worst part of all is the anxiety and stress faced by ageing parents when they have to contemplate what will happen to their dependent child when they die. I've watched the process twice within my own close family, and many, many times in my friend groups and through work. Love your special needs children fiercely, but don't sell it as a cutesy-wutesy story. It's disingenuous and it detracts from the realities of raising a special needs person through adulthood and beyond. Yes, to love and acceptance, but also to the reality.
I had a baby with Down syndrome but she died shortly after she was a year old. I hold firmly to my heart all the memories of her because she brought nothing but joy to my life. I wish you all the best with the little precious one.
She is so precious. I just want to hug her and kiss those little cheeks!!!
I think Gwendolyn is picture perfect just the way she is. May she bring you so much joy, laughter and unconditional love in the years to come. She will teach you so many things about life. Thank Heavens for children with Up Syndrome because they are a blessing from God.
a baby is a baby and just to be beloved, to create a strong adult, even with this syndrome
What a beautiful little delicate baby girl. I love this story and Kudos to these loving parents for not aborting this gift from God. This little darling is going to experience so much love in her life. God bless them all.
Well obviously it's much easier to have a healthy, normal kid, but I'm glad that these people still love their child
We fear the unknown...well done to these parents who instead of going down the self pity road went out and educated themselves so that they were as prepared, as any first time parents can be and then took the time to pass on the gift of what they had learned to hopefully reach more parents facing the same fears. Bravo and their daughter is gorgeous
Having taught those with different forms of challenges I have always been amazed at the tenacity of those with downs. When a good family connection is there it will give them the confidence to dream big and do amazing things. Yes, it is extra individual work but that is what parenting is about. I can see from the support this precious child will get she will do just fine. To this babies parents, God bless you for accepting this challenge treat her as any other child and do not allow yourselves or others to set her apart.
Precious, she is! She & her parents will face struggles most of the population will not have to deal with, but they will grow & be stronger & more compassionate. Love the attitude of these parents.
You have been blessed with a beautiful baby girl, some women never have a baby, I do feel bad for them, God bless your little family, you will have a future full of love !!!
I will always remember being in a shop one day and a Down's syndrome boy came in with his mother. He was smiling from ear to ear, the pure joy just radiated from him. He had just won a swimming medal in the special Olympics. While everyone in the shop was congratulating him some jerk said "isn't it wonderful how they let disabled people do things like that". I couldn't help myself. I just turned on him and said "I can't swim a stroke. So in comparison to him I'd be the disabled one if we were anywhere near water". That's the wonderful thing about Down's Syndrome people. They NEVER let anything stop them from achieving what thay want and when they succeed they love to share their success with everyone. They are so full of love and joy and they are happy to spread it around. They are truly the most beautiful people as you will find out with your gorgeous little girl. I wish you all the luck in the world . God bless.
I commend this couple and anyone who can live with a special needs child, I personally couldn't and wouldn't do it.
Anyone having children may end up with a special needs child.
Load More Replies...I am the parent of a beautiful, funny, determined, stubborn as a mule little girl who has Down Syndrome. Her smile lights up the room and could melt the coldest heart. I didn't know until she was born at 33 wks (long, painful story, I now have ptsd) I felt (still do) soul crushing guilt that I had let her down, any child is a massive responsibility, but a child like ours, 100x, every decision has to be spot on. I don't see her condition, she is her and that's it, I won't let it define her or how she is treated. I expect the same standards from her as her siblings. Every milestone that you might not necessarily pay that much attention to is celebrated and savoured and so much sweeter. I have worked hard with her, which was very easy, she's determined and independent, she goes to mainstream school, has lots of friends and can read and write. March 21st is World Down Syndrome Day, get your odd socks on!!
I love the Down syndrome people I have come into contact with. They teach you how to be really happy. Such great value! We need more of them around.
I love how honest the mother is about the process her and her husband went through with both trouble conceiving and then finding out that their daughter would have Down Syndrome once they did finally conceive. Like the article states, the severity of Down Syndrome depends on the type and the individual. Developmental milestones are usually met later than normal in non-trisomy 21 children, and milestones can’t be predicted though extra work can help them. About 1/2 of all children born with Down Syndrome suffer from heart defects as well and have increased risk of leukemia, thyroid conditions, and illnesses like pneumonia. They also can suffer from hearing loss from damaged nerves or fluid in the ear, which can definitely play a role in their speech development. Their daughter is adorable and absorbs all the love, and I’m glad they finally had a child. Down Syndrome people can be successful and are loving, but the serious health issues it brings should not be overlooked.
I'm happy she is happy but I wonder how her child will evolve. You have high functioning and low functioning. I have seen people with downsyndrome be teachers, actors and so much more. But I have also seen the people with Down Syndrome that are unable to talk, stand constantly swaying back and forth unable to close their mouths because of their enlarged tongues. I hope for the little girl will be able to do whatever she desires but it seems so many people only see Down Syndrome as people with "'funny eyes" and a "big tongue". There is so much more to this. It warms the heart however to see she has such loving parents and accepting people. I hope it all works out for the best but right now it is far too early to tell.
As a nurse, I did a lot of home health visits. Several were for babies with Down's Syndrome. The one thing that always amazed me is that I never saw one cry. I know they must, but they always seemed so happy.
I don't think this post highlights the fact that these kids will need constant support and will outlive their parents. It's incredibly sad to see parents in their 70s trying to control their downs kids who are lacking the understanding that their parents can't withstand the kind of abuse that an upset 40 year old with no tolerance for change or disappointment can bestow on their pensioner carer.
It’s about a baby. That’s many decades down the road.
Load More Replies...People with downs syndrome, are angels that have decided to walk among us, to teach us what true love and acceptance is. If you have such a person in your life, you will never feel unloved again.
Not sure why you got down voted. Clearly whoever did so has not spent enough time with the special needs community. You are right in everything you say <3
Load More Replies...This is truly the ultimate in white, first world, privilege. They couldn't get pregnant so 2 rounds of IVF -that would total in at around what... somewhere in the region of $30k? They could have donated that to a charity for unwanted children with down syndrome -because trust me there's plenty. In fact there are millions of starving children of all shapes and sizes all over the world but NOOO you have to have your own- so you create one who is... yes this sounds callous... ultimately ill, will never be able to live an independent life and will not have the privilege of a normal life expectancy. Whilst other healthy children around the world die of curable illness and starve, you spend thousands so you can stare at something with your own genetics. Without sharing a chromosome with you you can't love them I guess. I don't think it's right at all.
And yet that still doesn't protect you from the possibility. Accidents, brain tumour, aneurysm, disease... ANYONE can find themselves with a child that has major disabilities.
Load More Replies...How on earth could it possibly matter to you? What is your problem? If we wanted a perfect world I suspect you wouldn't have made the cut.
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