Be Inspired!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, JOHN!

(Submitted by John’s Family)

There’s a volunteer in our church nursery who asks every parent who drops off their child, “Any special needs?” He’s asking about bottles and diaper changing instructions. Still, we do a double take almost every time he asks. Our baby son, John, has Down Syndrome.

We were surprised with the diagnosis when he was born last September. While the adjustment has not been easy, John himself has been a wonderful surprise to us. He is a source of light in our lives. John does not behave as we expected. We did not expect to have a baby who is happy 95 percent of the time.

Our older daughter says, “God makes everybody special.” An extra chromosome makes you think about this in a new way. We’ve learned that parents of children with special needs and their children are “normal” in so many ways and “special” in important ways. We know that John is not only special because he has special needs.

1. John has a special smile and an irresistible laugh. Sisters and books inspire squealing with delight.
2. John makes a special effort to learn and develop. Holding up his head and sitting up have not come easy, but he never stopped trying.
3. John has introduced us to many special families through DSACK. When John was just weeks old, Tammy and Dave Carter invited us to their home for cake and conversation. Several other people called and came by letting us know that having a child with Down Syndrome is wonderful, worth celebrating. The positive and informative monthly DSACK meetings for parents of young children have been such an encouragement.

We are doing our best to learn how to help John. At times the information and the weight of the new responsibility overwhelm us.  We do not always feel up to the task. Fortunately, we’re not alone. Friends, family, therapists and doctors are integral team members in raising John. John’s place as the youngest of three gives us important perspective. Parenting generally is hard, but good.  Comparing children is unfair. No matter what happens or how we feel personally, our children need us to be the best parents we can be.  John is teaching us other important lessons in how to be his parents.  He’s shown us that love and care go a long way toward diminishing stress.  We have found a sanctuary in being together.

As we help John blow out the candles, we’ll think about growth.  When we brought John home, he slept a lot, so much it frightened us.  We undressed him to keep him awake for feedings.  We worried he’d never play or learn.  Now, he loves to play. He’s curious and has a fantastic laugh. John has grown in many ways. And, so have the rest of us. We’ve grown in our perspective of the gift of life.  We’re growing in our understanding of ideas like disability, inclusion, opportunity, and hope. And every day, we grow more in love with a little boy who has added such sweetness and goodness to our lives because he’s special.