An extra Chromosome

So here is a little of what I have been thinking this week:

Sometime this week there has been a "wave" of comments regarding having kids with special needs, either on the ASD or Down syndrome or any other disability. Yes it is hard path. No, is not for anyone. And thinking back on all the comments and posts I have read here is the thing for ME:

Gabby came to us as the most wanted, wished, prayed, cried, and desperate needed baby. I was able to be smart enough to ask for prenatal test. And here is the most important thing. I wanted the test not to end my pregnancy. But to be ready. NOTHING was going to change my mind about having this girl.

It was really hard to know she was coming with an extra chromosome, It was hard to hear "when do you want to end the product, I can do it next week...." with no more than 2 minutes after hearing Yes it’s a girl, and has DS.....

It's hard to hear a doctor say... well.. She might not be able to walk, eat by herself, go to school and function like any other kid...


But it was so much better to hear my husband say.. I love you no matter what. To hear my mom say.. We are with you, and YOU CAN DO IT.

So after crying and mourning the "normal, perfect kid" I was no longer going to have... I was blessed to have a change of though and get ready to be the best mom I could be.

Read any book regarding Down Syndrome that fell in my hands, my MIL.. bought also tons of books on PT, OT and Speech and even behavior on kids with DS for her and us...

THAT.. was just perfect.... She was loved by all before she was here... I was aware of what difficulties we could have and learned success stories to prove myself there is more out there to be done...

So yeah... We were ready for Miss Gabby... and yes.. It has been different, It has its challenges, but She is amazing.. She wants to do everything like everyone else. She was able to walk, feed herself, and dress herself.

She is learning to swim and ride horses.

She adores Daddy especially when they go on a four-wheeler ride. We do crafts together; she helps me fold clothes from the dryer (her own way of course)

She is loved at school by her teachers, aides, therapists and peers.

and my Husband family and mine love her... so so much.... I have seen more smiles than tears; I have seen more satisfaction than disappointments.

I keep learning, and even more now that we also have the ASD diagnosis... well.. our challenges got different, but manageable... and even then.. I see my girl as the most precious treasure in the world.

Why I would like to change it... why would I wish not to have that extra chromosome...

And I think... well... my challenges can be helped, can be prevented, can be worked with, so why not?