Letters to Me: Dear Ouma

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 both known for years that Taya would bless us with her presence.

When our amazing Taya entered the world, we became blessed with her precious extra chromosome, her peacefulness, exuberance for life, and pure joy in the world and those around her, and her amazing stubborn attitude that will determine her life journey.

There was a small sadness that came with this; however, this was not for the fact that Taya has T21, only for the knowing that she and my daughter would face many additional challenges unknown to those who do not walk this path. However, I have watched my daughter bloom in the reality, find her tribe, and grow into who she is also meant to be. There is no sadness. It has been replaced by my knowing and understanding that my daughter will always be Taya’s biggest advocate as they navigate their way together in this world, alongside Taya’s four amazingly awesome older siblings and Dad who love her so much, and I know will always be there to nurture her. Yes, this changed their lives as does any new sibling, however in that I have witnessed beautiful attachments grow, and the building of a community which surrounds them all, together as one.

Some may want me to give ‘negatives’ to this journey, however I can hand on heart say that there have been none with Taya, as with all of my grandies. She is who she was created to be, and as with all of my tamariki (children) and mokopuna (grandchildren), she is her own person. She will be filled with dreams, goals, struggles, and she will give the word ‘extra’ new meaning. She may have to strive ‘extra’, however, she also loves ‘extra’, laughs ‘extra’, and brings that ‘extra’ sparkle to the lives of all around her. She is our ‘extra’ blessing.

Written by Sue, Ambassador Taya's Ouma