Dear Quyen,
She is curious. She is exploring. She is always on the move. Her tiny hands and feet are fluttering with activity, so much so that it is hard to keep up. It seems that she is in a hurry, to go places, to see things. For she does not stop.
She is wildly independent, and fiercely determined. Do not tell this kid that something is hard, because it does not ever stop her from doing it. She thrives on challenges, and does not shy away from anything new or different.
She is thriving. She is flourishing. She is making waves with leaps, and bounds in progress. Last year, we saw her master rolling, and pushing herself to sit. This year, we watched her learn how to crawl, and then pull herself to stand. Right now, she is making huge strides with walking. Yes, WALKING. She took her first few tentative steps, then five, then ten. She is now loving the newfound freedom in her legs that she is so eager to take off. We always knew that once this girl takes off, there is no holding her back. Any moment now, she could literally start running, and we are gleefully waiting in anticipation.
She is cheeky, she is vivacious, and she is full of character. She is loud, and so expressive. She is sassy, she is goofy, and she is incredibly funny. And, oh how she laughs at the silliest things. Her adorable laughter is the most precious sound. It warms you to your core. It is so full of mirth, that it is wildly infectious.
Doesn't she sound wonderful? I think so, too. You see, that is your daughter, Evalyn that I am describing.
I know you are worried as to what might be in store for your daughter's future. You are devastated thinking that it might be grim. If you are looking for a glimpse of what lies ahead, I can assure you that it is nothing as you imagine.
When I received my daughter's diagnosis, I wish I could have peered into the future. I wish I could have seen how amazing my daughter will be. I wish someone could have shown me how wonderful she is. I wish I was shown all the things that she can do. I wish I knew what I know now.
Often when you receive a diagnosis that your baby has Down syndrome, you are given predictions about your child's future. A lot of it will seem like limitations. "They may not walk. They may not talk. They may not live independently. There will be a lot of hardship and adjustment. They will suffer health conditions." There are so many negatives.
You believe the doctors to know of your child's future, but believe me when I tell you that they do not. They have no idea what your child's life will look like. Even you do not know what your child's future is like. No one can predict the future. What you can know for sure is that nothing is for sure. And, as far as those "they will never" predictions, how many times have they been wrong?
If I can tell you anything, it is this. People's textbook knowledge of Down syndrome is not your child's future or worth. The only thing a Down syndrome diagnosis can provide is a diagnosis. Your child has an extra chromosome. That is it. That is ALL it can inform you of.
A diagnosis does not tell you how much joy your daughter will bring into your life. It does not tell you how much pride you will feel for her. It does tell you how funny her personality will be. It does not tell you what her capabilities will be. Evalyn is funny. She is clever. She is strong. She is tenacious. She is fearless, and she is so capable. Down syndrome does not dictate what she can or cannot do.
My darling Evalyn, do not be afraid to dream your wildest dreams. You may stumble, you may fall. But get right back up. Because there is nothing that you cannot achieve. Do not let the world tell you otherwise. If you think you can, you can.
Trust me, she can.
And she will. Just watch her. From Quyen, One and a half years on. xox
Ambassador Evalyn's Mum
