Some parents of children with Down syndrome start off a blog post by explaining Down syndrome. But since I can see you have access to the internet, I'll just let you Google it if you need more information. :) I'd like to show you what you might not find on Google. I'd like to show you my little girl. Not "my Down syndrome little girl". Not "my little girl with special needs". I think people forget sometimes that we're all just people. We're all different. And Izzie is quite the little person! In the beginning of her life on this earth, she was...
When I was pregnant with Izzie, one tiny little marker on the ultrasound showed that she had a pretty big chance of having a genetic condition. Heavenly Father guided us through the pregnancy in such a manner that I never felt sorrowful over the diagnosis of our daughter. We did an amnio at 31 wks because we live in a smaller town, and we just needed to know if we should deliver at a bigger hospital that would be better equipped for any special concerns. After having the amnio and receiving the diagnosis, I became concerned. Not in the way you may think. I was so excited to start this new journey with our precious little spirit, but fiercely protective over what others might think or say about her, or how she would be treated. I remember having dreams of literally beating the crud out of people for being mean to her (isn't that awful? Blame it on pregnancy hormones :). But it hasn't been that way at all. People have been amazing with her everywhere we go. She immediately attaches herself to people that she knows need a little extra love. And every time, my initial concern is, "How will they react to her?" But it is always the same...she brings out another side of people, that they may not have even known themselves. I know she's still little and things will change. But she is crazy tough, and I know Heavenly Father sent her to this earth to fulfill a bigger mission than we can see at this time. And she has been blessed with an immense family structure that, if nothing else, have taught her that she IS loved and has MUCH to give. And I am forever grateful for that.
Have you hugged someone with Down syndrome today?
