Monday 26 March 2012
The Joy Down Syndrome Can Bring
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X2BJQI-qAEw&feature=youtube_gdata_player
Queen of Hearts
Something amazing has happened in my life that I'd like to share with you. I've met this person with remarkable powers. Bearing witness and being directly influenced by this person certainly has had a positive effect on myself, my family, friends and even some strangers.
Let me try and explain. My partner Karen and I are a combined family. We both have 2 children from previous relationships. Jaxon 17, Georgia 14, Jim 10 and Leo 8. We often talked and joked about throwing a baby into our crazy world. We'd laugh and say something like, We're mad but not completely insane! Then one day we both came to the realization that you never regret a child. How could you begin to think, Gee, I wish we never had that last one. Also seeing the possibility of regretting NOT having "that last one". Before long Karen and I were gazing and rubbing our eyes in disbelief as that second blue line slowly appeared on the pop stick of good news. We felt so blessed and thankful with this gift. At the ultrasound it was love at first sight. "Look bubs has your nose and my chin! Was that a wave?!" Both of us were completely hooked. Bloods were taken and sent off. This brought up the conversation called, what if there's something wrong. Just days later we found ourselves wading into our doctor surgery fearing that horrific news was about to be burdened. Why the urgency to see us? He ushering us in refusing to exchange a nervous grin for a comforting smile. "Although the ultrasound looks good, he explained, the results of your blood tests and age has given you a one in fifty four chance of having a child with Down syndrome." Oh the relief! "Is that it? You dragged us in because of a one in fifty four chance?" I continued quickly trying to put this news into perspective, "How lucky would you be backing a horse with those odds? You'd consider yourself a winner pulling the queen of hearts out of a deck." The odds still seemed slim. It was decided we wanted to know before the birth. Karen took the call from the hospital with the results of the amniocentesis. A baby girl was on the way and the long shot had come in. We have the queen of hearts! It still hit hard. We wept in each others arms that afternoon. Confused and sad. What about the things she won't be? We even felt sorry for ourselves. Remarkably our tears and self pity faded within hours. This girl is an extra special gift. I glanced up and smiled, "You sure pull out some big ones" Not really knowing what Down syndrome is we rang Down syndrome SA. Gina eased our worried minds and reassured us that everything would be alright. Golden words. We received a pack in the mail welcoming us to Holland. The endless appointments soon started. Specialists telling us worst case scenarios. The search for complications, ultrasound after ultrasound. I asked the pediatrician the question, "How many couples continued with the pregnancy after a positive result?" Her response was shocking, "We had one last year." How could that be? Finally it was time, we'd waited so long. Still no signs of complications. We were ready for anything. Entering the hospital I was loaded like a pack horse with carefully packed bags containing strange items, everything that a birthing suite apparently needs. I would've been a fool to question. The natural birth plan turned into an emergency cesarean. In that surreal, sterile, panic ridden theatre consumed with fear and doubt, "Hey, this isn't in our birthing plan!", is when I glimpsed that person I started telling you about, you know, the one with remarkable powers. Held breifly above that curtain like a trophy.
Yes, our daughter Gypsy. Round, plump with pixie ears and a mop of dark hair. Looking every part what I'd imagine an angel to be.
Since that day, 8 months ago now, I've noticed amazing changes. A new perspective on what is most important. A higher level of harmony, love and unity in our family. Total strangers now good friends. Hardened hearts suddenly bursting with love. A whole new group of kindred friends through Down syndrome SA and the Early Intervention program. A brighter future for all of us.
Let me try and explain. My partner Karen and I are a combined family. We both have 2 children from previous relationships. Jaxon 17, Georgia 14, Jim 10 and Leo 8. We often talked and joked about throwing a baby into our crazy world. We'd laugh and say something like, We're mad but not completely insane! Then one day we both came to the realization that you never regret a child. How could you begin to think, Gee, I wish we never had that last one. Also seeing the possibility of regretting NOT having "that last one". Before long Karen and I were gazing and rubbing our eyes in disbelief as that second blue line slowly appeared on the pop stick of good news. We felt so blessed and thankful with this gift. At the ultrasound it was love at first sight. "Look bubs has your nose and my chin! Was that a wave?!" Both of us were completely hooked. Bloods were taken and sent off. This brought up the conversation called, what if there's something wrong. Just days later we found ourselves wading into our doctor surgery fearing that horrific news was about to be burdened. Why the urgency to see us? He ushering us in refusing to exchange a nervous grin for a comforting smile. "Although the ultrasound looks good, he explained, the results of your blood tests and age has given you a one in fifty four chance of having a child with Down syndrome." Oh the relief! "Is that it? You dragged us in because of a one in fifty four chance?" I continued quickly trying to put this news into perspective, "How lucky would you be backing a horse with those odds? You'd consider yourself a winner pulling the queen of hearts out of a deck." The odds still seemed slim. It was decided we wanted to know before the birth. Karen took the call from the hospital with the results of the amniocentesis. A baby girl was on the way and the long shot had come in. We have the queen of hearts! It still hit hard. We wept in each others arms that afternoon. Confused and sad. What about the things she won't be? We even felt sorry for ourselves. Remarkably our tears and self pity faded within hours. This girl is an extra special gift. I glanced up and smiled, "You sure pull out some big ones" Not really knowing what Down syndrome is we rang Down syndrome SA. Gina eased our worried minds and reassured us that everything would be alright. Golden words. We received a pack in the mail welcoming us to Holland. The endless appointments soon started. Specialists telling us worst case scenarios. The search for complications, ultrasound after ultrasound. I asked the pediatrician the question, "How many couples continued with the pregnancy after a positive result?" Her response was shocking, "We had one last year." How could that be? Finally it was time, we'd waited so long. Still no signs of complications. We were ready for anything. Entering the hospital I was loaded like a pack horse with carefully packed bags containing strange items, everything that a birthing suite apparently needs. I would've been a fool to question. The natural birth plan turned into an emergency cesarean. In that surreal, sterile, panic ridden theatre consumed with fear and doubt, "Hey, this isn't in our birthing plan!", is when I glimpsed that person I started telling you about, you know, the one with remarkable powers. Held breifly above that curtain like a trophy.
Yes, our daughter Gypsy. Round, plump with pixie ears and a mop of dark hair. Looking every part what I'd imagine an angel to be.
Since that day, 8 months ago now, I've noticed amazing changes. A new perspective on what is most important. A higher level of harmony, love and unity in our family. Total strangers now good friends. Hardened hearts suddenly bursting with love. A whole new group of kindred friends through Down syndrome SA and the Early Intervention program. A brighter future for all of us.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)