What if you have a Down Syndrome baby

What if you have a Down Syndrome baby?

I heard some moms talking not too long ago and this was the topic of discussion.  One of the moms was waiting for a blood test that reportedly had some possible concerns and the topic came up.  The women exited the waiting room before I had a even had a chance to interject and I did not have my son with me at the time.  So, what if you have a down syndrome baby?

Does that mean that your life is over?  I know that is the first thought that crossed my mind.  I thought that we would never have smiles, fun, and excitement in our lives anymore.  I thought that I was going to have this little one that just stared off at a wall somewhere, drooled on himself, and had a perpetual blank slate for a face.

Related Post: What Does it feel like to find out your baby has Down Syndrome?

I can’t tell you where these ridiculous ideas had come from.

I can’t tell you why I felt so overwhelmed and thought that life was over, but I did.

I imagined loneliness, sadness, pity.  I imagined never being alone with my spouse, growing old and resentful, caring for a large baby for the rest of my life.

But wait… that’s not what happened.

I did have a down syndrome baby, and you know what?  I wouldn’t change him.  I mean that, if given the chance to go back and make him, “normal” I would not, because I love him for who he is.

It didn’t take long in our journey for me to see that he was just a baby.  He didn’t drool more than my typical kids had.  His face was capable of more expression than mine, and he had the ability to always turn mine (and every one else’s) into a smile.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

He is engaging, he is entertaining, he is capable, and he is smart.  Yes, smart.

He watches people.  He knows if you are having a bad day and he will leap into the arms of a complete stranger and hug them if he feels the need to.

He has emotional intelligence that some adults don’t possess.  He is amazing and I am lucky to be his mom.

So, if you have a down syndrome baby, you get to enjoy stages a little longer.  You get the best snuggles known to man because no one snuggles like a child with lower muscle tone.  You get to cheer on even the small accomplishments.  You get to see the world through a new set of eyes.  You get to see some of the kindness in humanity again.

If you have a down syndrome baby, you get to join one of the most amazing families ever.  A network of individuals who are connected to someone who has Down Syndrome and they will welcome you with open arms.  You will have camaraderie with people from completely different socioeconomic status levels, opposite cultures, countries abroad, and differing values; yet you will share a bond that is unbelieveably strong.

If you have a down syndrome baby, welcome to the best club you never knew you wanted to be a part of.

 

Related posts:

The day a stranger recognized my son’s Down Syndrome

Thankful for Down Syndrome (this one has pictures and video of lots of kids)

5 lies about Down Syndrome

Need to know more?  Sign up for our email list for some great information and freebies (it’s right there one the sidebar)