Friday, September 13, 2013

Strength

A friend of mine and his wife just had a baby about a week ago.  In that week, they became parents, and began dealing with their new lives not only as caretakers of a new human being, but of a child with special needs.  You see, their beautiful baby boy was born with Down Syndrome.  I just read an amazing post his wife made on Facebook about the calm and peace she feels about the diagnosis.  She is a pillar of strength who sees her baby not as a problem with a child attached, but as a regular baby who just needs a little extra love and care.  I was so very impressed that it made me think how I would react in the same situation.  Could I be calm, cool and collected knowing the hardships that not only my child would go through as he grew but also the stress put upon me and my husband?  It sounds incredibly selfish, this I know.  And maybe that's the problem.  There is an incredible stigma against those who are wired differently than the norm.  Who's brains don't function as fast or as well or whatever.  We have such an ingrained idea in our minds about what things SHOULD be, that we tend to overlook what actually is there.  I know for one that I do.  It's awful and I'm working on it.  I can only hope and pray that if ever I am put in that position, I am granted the same strength to realize that it's a part of my baby but it's not all my baby.

1 comment:

  1. Anonymous9/13/2013

    I recently attended a baby shower for my lifelong friend whose baby also has Downs Syndrome. At first they were very scared, but over the last few months through reading others words and talking to other parents etc, they've decided they've been given a gift that comes with special instructions.

    I think we all struggle with the What Ifs many times in life and this is a big one. While it's a big deal, it's not as big of a deal as some other things parents can be handed and manageable once your ducks are in a row.

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