Dear old me…….a look back to diagnosis day
Diagnosis day comes in different ways but the shock, fear and mourning are a common thread. These emotions and feelings are 100% normal and do not make anyone a “bad parent” BUT as you moms, dads, sisters, brothers and friends share your stories, as you live your beautiful (sometimes messy?) life you show the word how much joy one extra chromosome can bring the world. You show others who are just starting the journey they did not pick that there is a future filled with possibilities. You pad all that uncertainty and fear with hope and love. You continue to pave the road to a future that is so beautiful. You are the change! Today we have Syracuse board member Becky Stover sharing some beautiful words with us.
“Two years ago today, I thought my world was ending. And looking back, it was. And in its place a bigger and better world than I could ever imagine was beginning. During those first dark days, I read a post on a website called downsyndromepregnancy.org. It was moms writing in advice they would give themselves on diagnosis day. I remember thinking about future Becky someday doing that. So two years later, here is the advice I’d give to myself on May 2, 2011.
“Settle down. Everything will be ok. Not today, not tomorrow, probably not for the rest of this pregnancy. But soon enough, this will make sense. You will know without a doubt this girl and you – you guys are meant for each other. Take on this battle of good and evil right now. Lay these demons to rest – Don’t listen to them – you will be strong enough for her, patient enough. Let the doctors worry about her health , they get paid a lot of money to do that. You just worry about being her Mommy. And finally, let go of your old life. I know it was good, but you can’t imagine how great the future will be. This girl is going to inspire you to chase dreams you never knew you had. She is going to give you a life you are proud to live.”
Miss Sarah we are just so head over heals in love with you! So glad you are exactly who you are little lady. Becky, thank you for sharing your beautiful words with us.
If you have something you would like to share in this space we want to hear from you! Contact Heather at hrodriguez@gigisplayhouse.org
Happy Birthday to beautiful Miss Sara!! Thanks for sharing this LOVE story!!❤️
When my son was born I was 20, and the lady in the next bed gave birth to a baby with Down syndrome. I didn’t know what to say to her, no more than any one else. She was alone in a ward of new mums, with her baby.
Now I feel so ashamed, when I think of how she must have felt. If I could go back…34 years I’d change my silence for normal words.
But we can’t go back in time…
Since then I’ve met Down syndrome children and adults from time to time, and they always smile and talk to me. They seem so happy, innocent, loving.
If the mum whose baby was born on the 11th April 1979, at Chertsey, Surrey, UK, reads this, I’m sorry for being so stupid and young, and not talking when a word or two could have made some difference to you.
“I did then what I knew how to do. Now that I know better, I do better.” ― Maya Angelou
xoxo