Learn more about Tate, an amazing warrior with Down syndrome!
Down syndrome | #nothingdownaboutit | #upsyndrome | the lucky few | Down syndrome awareness | trisomy 21 | #morealikethandifferent | disability advocate | special needs | special needs family | special needs parenting | inclusion | inclusion matters
Read MoreLearn more about Genevieve, an amazing warrior with Down syndrome!
Down syndrome | #nothingdownaboutit | #upsyndrome | the lucky few | Down syndrome awareness | trisomy 21 | #morealikethandifferent | disability advocate | special needs | special needs family | special needs parenting | inclusion | inclusion matters
Read MoreLearn more about Ryder, an amazing warrior with Down syndrome and a cancer survivor! Down syndrome | #nothingdownaboutit | #upsyndrome | the lucky few | Down syndrome awareness | trisomy 21 | #morealikethandifferent | disability advocate | special needs | special needs family | special needs parenting | inclusion | inclusion matters | cancer survivor | retinoblastoma | pediatric cancer | childhood cancer awareness
Read MoreMy last pregnancy was just like all my other pregnancies. No abnormalities, nothing we worried about, nor was our birth team showing any concerns. At 38 weeks, our baby was ready to meet our family. We were shocked because our last baby not only came earlier than all of our other babies, but our labor was a lot longer and harder. We all were so eager to meet the final member of our family. I had a beautiful water birth surrounded by our family, and I nailed my birth plan, but unto our surprise, we had a beautiful baby girl (we were sure we were having another boy)! Moments after our precious daughter arrived, I started to notice a few differences in her face…nothing I was worried about, but she did look a bit different than my other squishy babies. One of my friends/clients had recently had a beautiful son and my daughter had a few features that resembled some of his, but no one was saying anything, so I quickly dismissed it.
Read MoreAfter 5 1/2 years, my husband and I (mostly me) decided that we wanted to have one more baby. We already had two wonderful boys that brought us so much joy and laughter. I love being a mother!! It's what I was born to do. And I felt like they were growing up so fast and I was ready for more. After a year of trying to get pregnant and two miscarriages, we finally had our baby on the way. I could not have been more excited and terrified at the same time. Starting over again after six and a half years was a little intimidating. I was having a fairly easy pregnancy and loving the feeling of growing a little human inside me. There are no words for this.
Read MoreAt my 11-week ultrasound, the doctor ordered a blood test to check the gender and ensure everything was genetically normal. For women over the age of 35, this test was routinely recommended. I was elated! I had the opportunity to find out the gender almost 10 weeks earlier than normal, since that is typically not done until closer to the 20-week mark. The genetic part seemed like an afterthought and I wasn’t worried in the least about it. My doctor said the results would be emailed to me, and a week later as I was checking my inbox for the results, my phone rang. I was at work and completely surprised to see my doctor calling because I hadn’t expected a phone call from her. I immediately felt a sense of dread. When I answered the phone my doctor quickly asked if I had seen the results via email yet, and I told her that I had not. Without further pause she said, “Your baby has Trisomy 21”.
Read More“Congratulations, you’re having a boy, however your test came back positive for down syndrome. I’m going to refer you to a genetics counselor.”
Read More
