This is the Truth

A few years before I started having kids, a friend of mine shared something on Facebook that has stayed with me through the years.⁣⁣
She said “I never knew how much I wanted a child with Down syndrome, until I got one.” ⁣⁣
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My first reaction? ⁣⁣
She had to say that. It was her kid! Of course she thinks that about something she simply can’t change. ⁣⁣
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My today reaction? ⁣⁣
Flood gate of tears... knowing the true depth of what she was saying, and immense anger at myself for being a person who thought those words were forced. ⁣⁣
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I know from experience that new parents don’t wish for Down syndrome, we have been taught and moulded to believe that differences are not beautiful. We have been taught that a diagnosis means a life of unhappiness. ⁣⁣
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But I am telling you, from experience, that WE are the happy ones, we are the lucky ones, BECAUSE we have Down syndrome in our lives. ⁣⁣
How lucky am I, to have read those words from my friend so many years ago, and finally know the weight of them. ⁣⁣
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I too, never knew how much I wanted this child. ⁣
I too, never knew how much I would love having Down syndrome in my life. ⁣⁣
This is not forced, these are not words I say because I have to... ⁣⁣
THIS the truth about the diagnosis - she is incredible. ⁣⁣
She is everything I ever wanted. ⁣⁣