A Safe Landing | Jaydon’s Story
I found out I was pregnant with our third child just days after we sold the baby items that our two older boys outgrew. We were living on a military Base in Texas at the time. I scheduled an appointment with my OBGYN, (although, most of the details are blurry), I remember getting an ultrasound and the Doctor explained to me that there were potential markers for Down syndrome. I was nervous, scared, and I had a million questions, but even with this news we were happy and excited for our bundle of joy to arrive regardless of the potential diagnosis.
Shortly after my appointment my Husbands’ six-year career with the military was up and our family headed back to California. Upon arriving I continued with my prenatal care appointments and met with a Geneticist. I felt terrified, and lonely in that office. Not about my child potentially having Down syndrome but why do I need these tests? Why does it matter? What do they mean? And how will this affect my life? Either way, I knew the results would not change my mind. This is my baby, and I will love this child no matter what! Eventually, I allowed the pressure of the Geneticist to overcome me, and I did the Prenatal Diagnostic Testing. My results came back, and our baby had Trisomy 21, the most common type of Down syndrome, a third copy of the 21st chromosome. The Geneticist asked me if I wanted to terminate my pregnancy. My response was absolutely not, please do not ask me that again. She stated she is required by law to ask once. She asked me again at my follow up appointment and once again on the phone, I was appalled! I yelled at her and said, you already asked me twice before, this is unethical and ridiculous! I hung up the phone and immediately began to bawl, I felt like she did not think my child was worth living or she thought I would not be a good mother. It was one of the worst times of my life. I was never asked if I wanted to terminate my other two children…WHY THIS ONE?
I am grateful that my momma heart was not persuaded by that one professional who could have changed the outcome of a young vulnerable woman, who loves her children more than anything but who at the time was scared and did not have all the answers and relied on her community and professionals for guidance and support.
Seeing Jaydon’s ultrasound, hearing his heartbeat, and feeling his kicks, somehow made choosing his name easy. My husbands’ brother Brandon passed at an early age and so did my best-friend Jaymie; We put both of their names together the first three letters of Jaymie and the last three letters of Brandon and that’s how we came up with this special name- JAYDON! I looked up the meaning on google and it means God hears, God heard. In that moment everything came full circle for me. I was at peace. I felt like I was being wrapped in a fresh warm down blanket.
As Jaydon got older, I yearned for a place to take him where we would feel accepted. A place with families that understood some of the challenges our family was going through. A place that might understand the struggles of multiple surgeries, in-home therapy sessions, and fighting for inclusion to keep up with peers.
I heard about DSIA (Down syndrome Information Alliance) when Jaydon was a few months old, and I was happy to find out they offered resources, a wealth of information, community events, and a Step up for Down syndrome walk! My family and I went to almost every event that they hosted. We had a blast and met wonderful people along the way with whom I’m still friends with today.
But I still longed for a place to go…
Fast-forward to stumbling across a GiGi’s Playhouse start-up orientation. It was located at a Granite Construction site, while I was in the thick of my anxiety. Jaydon was getting older, he was eloping, getting hurt more often, seeing more doctors, (fearless, unwary, strong-willed, MY CHILD). I was a mess and needed adult interactions with people who got it. My son Logan and I decided to go. April and Ashley were the ladies that led the orientation, (they were on the start-up team for GiGi’s Playhouse Sacramento), and they spoke with ease and passion about GiGi’s Playhouse. I found out that GiGi’s is a Down syndrome achievement center, with free purposeful programs that are 99% volunteer run. I knew my family belonged with this non-profit organization and we had to get involved. And that is just what we did!
I am thankful beyond words for that night. Our family would not be the same without Jaydon in it. We laugh, cry, sing, play, and enjoy life more!
Since GiGi’s Playhouse Sacramento opened on May 16th, 2021, (which was on Jaydon’s 7th birthday!) He has attended multiple events. He has had fun bringing in the New Year for the New Year at Noon (NYAN) event, celebrating the annual World Down syndrome Day (WDSD) event at Leatherby’s, Trunk or Treat at the Playhouse, Holly Jolly Jubilee, and receiving his medal at the GiGiFiT Acceptance Challenge. To learning and participating in all the amazing programs he has been in.
Jaydon participates in 1:1 Literacy tutoring at GiGi’s Playhouse Sacramento, he adores his tutor, Alina! They have the best time reading, sounding out letters, and playing games. She challenges Jaydon and I love that. His language, imagination play, and love for reading have exploded!
My eyes, my heart, and my world have forever changed. Jaydon is happy to see his friends (even if he has never met them before), EVERYTIME we go to GiGi’s.
GiGi’s is a place of pure magic! Go in and meet some of the best people on this earth, and fill your love cup, you will not regret it!
As a family we are extremely thankful to our Down syndrome and GiGi’s Community, we don’t know where we would be without YOU ALL!
-Nicole Deters (Jaydon’s biggest fan!)
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