You just got some news that you semi expected but honestly weren’t ready for and were in a bit of denial about. So unlike you to look into what it could mean but this may have been your best step! You will move forward with grace and treat him as a kid first and his diagnosis is just something to contend with in a somewhat secondary capacity wherever you can. The thing you need to know, I’m 4 years into this wonderful “journey” that is mothering that beautiful boy you see bef

Hey you, today's the day you will receive the dreaded phone call confirming the little life you are carrying does indeed have Down syndrome. To be honest you won't be shocked after all you are 43 and high risk. But your at work and your in your office alone, How will you process this info, your first thought will be *how will this baby fit in to family photos* I know it's a strange thought but it's the first thing to pop into your head. Your not sad, you won't grieve because

Peta my darling I want you to know  I want to assure you that you will be okay. That moment your world was shattered and your life felt devastating. The fear of the unknown will challenge you, and it will change your life in many ways. However, you will be strong and able to do all the things you need to do. I understand that reading the ultrasound results and hiding them for three days until you could speak those words will cause trauma. However, you will be okay. The questi

I know right now you feel like the ground has shifted under your feet. The words you just heard, Down syndrome , sound heavier than you imagined even though you were expecting it.  Your mind is spinning with questions. You begin to wonder if you are strong enough, if your child will be okay, if life will ever feel the same again. Breathe Julie. You are going to be okay. Darcy is going to be more than okay. The days ahead will not always be easy. You will encounter stares, unk

You have just received the call from the Dr. ‘The results are positive for Down Syndrome’ she says. You are 29 weeks pregnant and scared of what is to come. You can’t imagine your life anymore… I wish you knew then what I know now… I wish you knew that Charlie is a beautiful, sweet, inquisitive, kind and joyful little boy. He is now 4 and exploring the world in his own fiercely independent way. Charlie does everything on his own timeline and every hard-won milestone feels so

My journey with Down syndrome has been one of beauty, acceptance, knowing, a small amount of sadness, and wonder, filled with a joy and love that is more precious than words can say. This is accompanied by a deep knowing that this is who Taya is meant to be. She is the gift that none of us knew that we needed. Her T21 birth did not come with surprise, despite not knowing prior, but with a knowing for my daughter and myself that we would be gifted with her. Deep down, we had b

My memories of what I went through 26 years ago giving birth to my lovely, adorable son Dylan.  He was born on due date, 15 hours of labour nature birth. The only medical issue at birth was he was jaundice and put under lights for the first few hours after birth. At a later stage we found he had a hole in his heart that closed over six months later, two lots of pneumonia and three lots of grommets. As I couldn’t breast feed Dylan, he was bottled fed, so we were allowed to go

It's one of the calls we all dread after receiving the news that you're pregnant, and you received it shortly after your 12 week...

Do you remember that moment when your wife, Gayle, discovered she was pregnant? Absolutely.  We were both stunned — almost upset — and I...

You didn’t just survive. You transformed. I’m so incredibly proud of who we turn out to be.

Letter to myself at diagnosis. This moment is raw, I know that. Those ugly thoughts you’re having, don’t worry, they’re fleeting. This...

Dear Jules Everything is going to be ok. That little being growing inside of you is going to be ok. He is strong and he is the bravest...

While the words, setting and journey may differ, every parent of an individual with Down syndrome experiences this moment; the moment you...

Dear Tyronne, You just found out your son has Down Syndrome. You are overwhelmed with everything as it is and finding out your son has a...

To Jen and Pen, I know you’re scared. I’m sorry that you were told the news at your doctors office that your baby had “Mongoloid”. That...

Oh hey you! I have been pondering for weeks about how and what to write to you. After all, we are still fairly new at this, the beginning...

Dear Me, I’ll never forget the day like it was yesterday... It was Monday the 20th of April 2020 and I had been asked to do a...

So you have just been given some news which has left you feeling pretty devastated and in shock. Your whole world now feels like it has...

Hey you, You did it! After a seemingly endless uneasy labour she is here, safe and sound sleeping sweetly in your arms unaware of all the...

To Claire, Me, when I first received the diagnosis that my unborn son would be born with Down syndrome. Hi I’m not going to ask how you...