Down Syndrome Diagnosis | Finding The Joy
The ABILITY to experience great JOY is possible! Joy can even be found after receiving a Down Syndrome diagnosis!
Many people today seem to think that it’s not worth it to give birth to a baby that is diagnosed or has a certain percentage chance of having Down Syndrome (DS). More people than I would ever expect (up to 90% according to some studies) behave as if children born with DS and their families would be better off without the heartache, inconvenience and trouble that is sure to come.
But those ideas are LIES.
Babies, kids, and adults with Down Syndrome make the world a better place. They give us a beautiful opportunity to learn how to love, how to accept, how to persevere in the midst of daunting circumstances.
Their ABILITIES far outweigh their supposed disabilities.
As my husband and I have discovered, all four of our children have special needs. Uniquely personal needs for love, acceptance, patience, grace, guidance, discipline, fun, laughter, sleep, and more than I can list. There is no true difference between any of our kids.
That extra chromosome our little girl has may change some physical things, but she is as much a person and human being as any other. I believe that with courage and God’s blessing, we are all able to choose life and JOY!
My family has been on a journey with Down Syndrome for over 2 years with our daughter, Quinn, who just turned 2 at the end of October. There have been ups and downs throughout our adventure, and through it all we have seen joy infiltrate our lives in ways we never expected.
We have a testimony that says you are ABLE to get a Down Syndrome diagnosis and respond with hopeful expectation instead of merely disappointment and grief.
I hope my message reaches those just discovering the results of an NIPT test, those who saw images on an ultrasound you never thought you would see, and those who, after finally holding your newborn in your arms, find out the child you were given was not the one you expected.
Welcome to my amazing journey starting with a Down Syndrome diagnosis! (H2)
I will dig into my journals of times past and share the raw truth of what happens:
- when receiving NIPT results with 90% possibility of Trisomy 21
- when an ultrasound shows a double bubble, also known as duodenal atresia, and possible heart problems
- what it’s like as the pregnant mom to have health complications like polyhydramnios due to the developing child’s medical diagnosis
- when 2+ hour stress tests don’t go as planned
- wondering when this baby will come, with extra complications or not, via c-section or natural birth
- at the actual birth
- upon baby’s admittance to the NICU
- with surgeries, specialists, medicines, therapies, and so much more!
It’s overwhelming at any point along the way. But one step at a time you WILL continue on this journey and hopefully grow, learn, and love bigger than you ever thought you could.
God’s love for me, and the relationship I have with Him, was my saving grace. I look back and see so clearly how He carried me through each stage, each new piece of information and decision.
My joy and faith was made stronger, and my confidence in just how powerful and mighty our God is, grew deeper roots in my soul.
I’m far from perfect but I look forward to seeing how He will continue to mold me and shape me to be more like Him. That has become my heart’s greatest longing, to love like He does, and to find joy in the suffering as James 1:2-4 says:
“Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.” (ESV 2016)
I also hope this blog will chronical my humble journey learning what God wants to teach me and show me about His way to a life of contentment and peace.
I hope you leave encouraged at whatever stage of life you are in. It’s the abilities to see joy in the everyday blessings that help make this crazy life bearable. And once you have joy, even in the midst of a Down Syndrome diagnosis, it’s contagious. I wish you could meet my daughter, you would see just how true that is!