I cannot believe that tomorrow my baby will be three years old. It’s fitting that this week the Today Show aired a video of Shawn Johnson and her husband celebrating the news of their child not having Down syndrome. Three years ago, I remember anxiously awaiting the neonatologist’s opinion on whether or not Sienna had Down syndrome. I prayed that she didn’t, but I didn’t get the news Shawn and herhusband did. My baby did have Down syndrome.
Here’s what I want to say to the moms out there that got the same news I did. The moms sitting in hospital beds watching TV hoping for a distraction, but instead finding more pain while watching their morning news program. These painful moments are the hardest part of this journey. The casual use of the r word. Gut punch. A friend celebrating her normal genetics results. Gut punch. A curious child asking why your baby looks different. Gut punch. I’m not going to sugar coat it. These moments happen and they take your breath away. I promise you that you’ll get resilient.
The world doesn’t know that this life can be beautiful. They don’t know what they’re missing. To quote Shelby from Steel Magnolias, “I’d rather have 30 minutes of wonderful than a lifetime of nothing special.” Guess what? You’ve just been gifted a lifetime of special. You’re going to witness miracles every day and you will know that you’re witnessing them. I know it’s hard to see through the fog you’re in, but I promise you that one day you’ll be grateful for the perspective your child will give you. You’ll be grateful for the empathy your family will gain. You’ll learn how capable these kids of ours can be. Your dreams for your child don’t need to change. You’ll realize that the biggest obstacle in this life of ours is the outside world, and all that they don’t know. Try to give them grace. Try to educate them. You’re an advocate now. And when the outside world breaks you with one of these gut punches, you’ll quickly learn that there’s an army of moms behind you that do get it. We get it and we’re here for you.
