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November 21, 2007
My dream for this blog is that someone who is on the brink of a decision regarding the life of their baby would find hope and choose life. Or, if you’ve just given birth to a baby with Down syndrome and you want to look into a crystal ball to see what’s down the road a bit…look at Nathan’s progress. If this blog accomplishes nothing else, my wish is that it shows new parents that having a child with DS is not the end of the world, it’s the beginning. Prior to Nathan’s birth, I never would have imagined that I could love a child with DS. When there was a tiny hint that I may be carrying a baby with DS, I felt very sad and disconnected. But since his birth, he has become one of the greatest sources of joy in our lives. He’s not a sluggish little baby with a blank stare. He’s extremely active and alert. He has a very good memory. He’s learning in every catagory at a rapid fire pace. As I write this, he’s providing sound effects for the car that he’s zooming around in the kitchen just like any other little boy would do.
I think many parents from previous generations were told that their children with DS would never do this or that, so they simply gave up or didn’t provide opportunities for learning and growth. But now with all that is available—therapies, medication, stimulating environments—anything is possible. Nathan LOVES to learn. He is constantly dragging books to my lap for me to show and tell him about or read. He is intensely curious and loves to imitate his family. Lately we’ve all had some kind of cough, so Nathan goes around faking a cough as he hunches over and covers his mouth like a little old man….too funny! He’s running, playing, chattering, and signing away every day. In so many ways, he’s just like a normally developing child, but he’s delayed a few months….nothing drastic.
As for his sister, Miika, she adores him. They tangle just like any other pair of siblings, but on countless occasions, she tells him that she loves him.
I am so thankful for BOTH of my kids who are God’s gifts to us.