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Becoming Stronger

April 30, 2007 on 7:03 pm | In Uncategorized | No Comments

Becoming strong means making decisions that are right for you and it is not about making decisions that will meet the expectations of others.

When a family makes a decision to keep a child who was born with Down syndrome, for the first time in their lives they will realize and be forced to confront the question as to who are their real friends. That is to say that some so called friends will respond with a shallow perspective and yet others with little or no sensitivity at all. And yet those who will stand by your decision and support you will earn a place in your lives as friends without reservation.

For many this is the first time that they have come to the realization as to what true friendship entails.

A lady walked into our house about a year after our daughter was born with Down syndrome.

When she saw our little Suri for the first time she spontaneously walked over to her and picked her up and held her, played with her, and cooed with her.

My wife was so positively impressed with this one act of spontaneity that they have become fast friends for the past 16 years.

And yes there were others in our lives prior to our daughters birth who until this day cannot bring themselves to discuss or be involved with our daughter or the issues surrounding her life.

The fact is that at this moment of a child’s birth with Down syndrome we are confronted with the reality that we are all sitting around waiting for someone else to change the world. And when the opportunity is sent your way you have the choice to accept it or reject it.

Ask yourself, why should someone else do this for me? Why should I allow someone else the opportunity to grow and change and discover in my stead?

And what about this baby, this vulnerable child that will be denied the warmth and love of their own parents.