These people make it so easy for me to blog. They write so much better than I do, so all I have to do is link to their articles! Check out this piece by Mark Leach on The Public Discourse:
A Few Make a Rare Few Rarer: Reflections on World Down Syndrome Day
Coobie!
Thursday, March 22, 2012
Article: Weakness That Makes Us Strong
Another great article in honor of World Down Syndrome Day. It's everything I would want to say, but better! Weakness That Makes Us Strong
Wednesday, March 21, 2012
Julia's First World Down Syndrome Day!
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| Here's what Julia thought of her first World Down Syndrome Day! And check out her groovy threads from Reece's Rainbow! |
Happy World Down Syndrome Day!
Monday, March 19, 2012
It's A Girl...!
We didn't know Julia had Down Syndrome before she was born. My doctor mentioned the screening blood tests at one of my prenatal visits but I didn't follow through right away because my elderly father-in-law, who was living with us at the time, was sick and running a fever, and I wanted to get home quickly. When I mentioned the tests at a subsequent visit, my doctor said that I had missed the window, and the tests would no longer be accurate.
For me, I'm glad I didn't know before Julia was born. It wouldn't have changed the outcome of my pregnancy but I probably would've spent the remaining 6 months worrying. Shortly after Julia was born, the doctor came over and gently said he and the other doctors had noticed some features consistent with Down Syndrome. My first thought was "She doesn't have Down Syndrome, YOU have Down Syndrome." Then my husband turned to me and said he had noticed those features, as well. When they brought Julia back over to me, I looked at her again, and it seemed pretty obvious that she had Down Syndrome. It took almost a month for the results of the blood test to confirm Down Syndrome but we were operating under the assumption pretty much since she was born.
We were among the fortunate when Julia was born. We know people who have had very negative experiences before and after giving birth to a child with Down Syndrome. Doctors have said things like "You two are going to get divorced. You should've had an abortion," as they weighed and examined the newborn child. I'm so grateful that was not our experience. Everyone at the hospital where Julia was born was kind and supportive. In fact, one of the doctors at the hospital had a friend with an adult daughter with Down Syndrome...and the friend and her daughter ended up visiting Julia and me in the hospital!! It was such an encouragement.
I can see how people would be afraid of a prenatal diagnosis of Down Syndrome. It's a medical term, fraught with uncertainty. But looking at Julia, how could I ever be afraid?
For me, I'm glad I didn't know before Julia was born. It wouldn't have changed the outcome of my pregnancy but I probably would've spent the remaining 6 months worrying. Shortly after Julia was born, the doctor came over and gently said he and the other doctors had noticed some features consistent with Down Syndrome. My first thought was "She doesn't have Down Syndrome, YOU have Down Syndrome." Then my husband turned to me and said he had noticed those features, as well. When they brought Julia back over to me, I looked at her again, and it seemed pretty obvious that she had Down Syndrome. It took almost a month for the results of the blood test to confirm Down Syndrome but we were operating under the assumption pretty much since she was born.
We were among the fortunate when Julia was born. We know people who have had very negative experiences before and after giving birth to a child with Down Syndrome. Doctors have said things like "You two are going to get divorced. You should've had an abortion," as they weighed and examined the newborn child. I'm so grateful that was not our experience. Everyone at the hospital where Julia was born was kind and supportive. In fact, one of the doctors at the hospital had a friend with an adult daughter with Down Syndrome...and the friend and her daughter ended up visiting Julia and me in the hospital!! It was such an encouragement.
I can see how people would be afraid of a prenatal diagnosis of Down Syndrome. It's a medical term, fraught with uncertainty. But looking at Julia, how could I ever be afraid?
Saturday, March 17, 2012
Happy St. Patrick's Day!
Juju just found out that she'll be spending the day preparing corned beef and cabbage for me!
Saturday, March 10, 2012
Why the Blog?
Maybe you're thinking "Is this going to be another one of those blogs where parents post about how wonderful their kid is ad nauseum?" Well...yes and no. Ordinarily, I would be opposed to blogging exclusively about my children, lest they grow up to view themselves as the center of the universe. I mean, I'll post photos to FB every now and then, or share a funny quote from a toddler, but a blog dedicated to one of my children...that seems a bit over the top.
That is, until you consider the fact that one of my children is an endangered species. (Wait, is this one of those weird inter-species blogs?) No, my child is not some sea turtle off the shores of Costa Rica. My child has Down Syndrome, and 90% of pregnant women who find they are carrying a child with Down Syndrome choose to end the pregnancy. In other words, only ten percent of children like Julia ever get to see the light of day. I find this statistic to be devastating. Clearly, a bleak picture of life with Down Syndrome has been painted for these women. I want to paint a different picture. I want to share the joy of Julia.
That is, until you consider the fact that one of my children is an endangered species. (Wait, is this one of those weird inter-species blogs?) No, my child is not some sea turtle off the shores of Costa Rica. My child has Down Syndrome, and 90% of pregnant women who find they are carrying a child with Down Syndrome choose to end the pregnancy. In other words, only ten percent of children like Julia ever get to see the light of day. I find this statistic to be devastating. Clearly, a bleak picture of life with Down Syndrome has been painted for these women. I want to paint a different picture. I want to share the joy of Julia.
For information on prenatal testing and abortion rates, click here: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10521836?dopt=AbstractPlus
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