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Sometimes I Forget That Our Son Has Down Syndrome
There are moments when I lose sight of the fact that my son has Down syndrome. His toddler tantrums, playful grin, and adventurous spirit often steal my attention. Max is a blend of determination and sweetness. When his big sister, Lily, has one of her dramatic meltdowns, he’s the first to rush to her side. He loves to climb into my lap, reaching up with his tiny fingers to gently brush my cheek—his unique way of expressing love.
Of course, he can be a little whirlwind too; opening drawers, scattering toys, and creating chaos. When I catch him in the act, he lowers his head and peeks up at me with an almost apologetic grin. Sometimes he helps clean up, but often he’s off to find his next adventure. His love for music is infectious; he’ll start dancing the moment he hears a tune. Whether it’s a round of “Itsy Bitsy Spider” or “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star,” he can’t resist getting involved, no matter his earlier mood. Max even dances along with the fireworks on the Fourth of July!
There are times I forget that Max is more than just my son; he’s also Lily’s brother—a sweet, spirited, and determined little boy. Then reality hits when someone makes an insensitive remark. Just the other day, the cashier looked at me with pity and whispered, “I bet you wish you’d known before he was born. They have a test for that now…”
A wave of shock and anger surged through me. I thought about confronting her physically, but I opted for a wittier response instead. I smiled broadly and replied, “Right? It’s so much harder to get rid of them once they’re here. Trust me, I’ve tried…” Her eyes widened in disbelief as she processed my words. Leaning closer, I added, “So, you think it’s acceptable to end his life before birth, but not after? To me, there’s no distinction. We knew everything while I was pregnant, and I would never let any harm come to my children—especially when they’re considered disposable.”
Sometimes I forget that not everyone sees Max the way I do. To others, he’s labeled as a “Downs kid,” and they may view him as a burden or a child who must be suffering. It’s easy to forget until I catch a glimpse of pity in someone’s eyes or hear a thoughtless comment.
I have to remind myself that it’s often ignorance, not malice. They don’t understand the weight of their words. They haven’t experienced Max’s infectious giggle or seen how fiercely Lily protects him, despite her claims of disliking “boy babies.” They’ve never cheered for him as he reaches new milestones, their hearts swelling with pride.
I sometimes forget how I felt before Max came into my life. My understanding of Down syndrome was limited to what I read in nursing textbooks, which only left me in tears, picturing a lifeless and incapable child. I didn’t know.
At the end of the day, we all have to remember that to us, they’re simply Max, Lily, and that’s exactly how it should be. If you’d like to read more about similar experiences, check out this insightful post on home insemination.
In closing, sometimes we overlook the realities of our children’s differences, and that’s okay. It’s essential to celebrate them for who they truly are.
Summary:
In this reflective piece, Jamie shares her experiences of parenting her son, Max, who has Down syndrome. She highlights the joy and challenges that come with parenting a child with special needs, emphasizing how easily one can forget about the label and instead focus on the unique qualities of their child. Through humorous anecdotes and poignant moments, Jamie reminds readers that societal perceptions often stem from ignorance and that love and understanding are crucial in parenting.