"What's it like raising a child who has Down syndrome?"
And so in honor of National Down syndrome Awareness Month this month...
I thought I would give you all the answer to that question.
Because, really...
As you can probably tell.
The truth about raising these girls who have the beautiful additional chromosome.
Is that...
THEY ARE TWO OF THE GREATEST BLESSINGS WE HAVE EVER, EVER BEEN GIVEN IN THIS LIFE!
Our lives are certainly not the same as they were before Hailee and Harper came home from Ukraine two years ago.
Our lives are richer.
More meaningful.
More beautiful.
Happier.
And positively more amazing!
Our lives are BETTER...
Simply because our Abba Father chose us to be their family.
How exceedingly blessed we are!
And to think that the God of the universe, in all of His grace and loving kindness, has chosen to bless us with Kael too--one more treasure who has Down syndrome.
What did we ever do to deserve these GIFTS from heaven?
I am forever thankful.
15 sweet thoughts from friends:
How beautiful your girls are! Just like their momma! Those pics have me smiling :-D
Beautiful girls!
But you write,
"And to think that the God of the universe, in all of His grace and loving kindness, has chosen to bless us with Kael too--one more treasure who has Down syndrome."
Is Hasya ok?
I love your post. I work in a NICU and when I see how devastated the parents are when their children have this diagnosis and I cannot help but always think about you and how you chose these children. How richer your life must be with them in it. I always pray that these new parents realize this as well.
Beautiful!
The girls are getting so big! They are absolutely beautiful!
They are so beautiful! Wow, they're grown so much! Blessings.
Love it! I can't wait to get my sweetie pie home!!! We travel in about 6 weeks to get our 2 girls. Please pray for us. Our FSP is up on Reece's Rainbow. WE have $24,000 to raise still. God is good. He will make a way.
Blessings,
Rebecca
www.loveisonthemove-hope.blogspot.com
Okay, so I GET that part. I've read this blog some and I see that these girls are truly a blessing. All children are a gift from God! But as someone that would consider adopting a child with Down Syndrome, I'd really like some meat in that answer. What is day to day life like? What therapies and how often do they have them? How many doctor's visits do you have a month or year and which specialists do they see? What kind of things are they capable of of and what things do you worry about for them? Will they ever go to mainstream schools, or hold a job or always be under your care? I know some of those latter questions you probably can't answer now because only time will tell...... we have a special needs child as well as I know that she does far more now than I would have said she would 4 years ago. But, give me an idea of what life is really like beyond the blessing they are. Just wondering!
Two sweet lovies!!!! Who could EVER doubt that they are beautiful blessings?!!??!???!? And even though we are not supposed to be envious...some days I am!!! Wish you lived closer!!! (((BIG HUGS)))!!!
I am not Adeye (obviously!) And am not raising these two girls. But I did adopt two little ones who are both three now, one has downs syndrome and one has spina bifida. I agree that these childrens are an incredible blessing. They really are a lot of fun. But there is the other side. It is also a LOT of work. I cannot fathom any mother who adopts a special needs child being able to work outside the home at all, esp with more then one. I will be changing diapers for years. I am just now starting to work with them a little on getting themselves dressed. One has multiple food allergies and needs everything made from scratch. The other one is still on a feeding tube part time, or I spoon feed her, often first pureeing her food. They both have a whole long liist of doctors and therapists and have appointments a couple times a month. GI doctors, urology, neurology, opthmology, cardiology, audiology, pacemaker specialist and I know that's not all! I also work with the therapists such as physical and speech therapist, OT, and special instruction. Plus there's the braces clinic and the medical supply companies. It helps a lot that I have a wonderful pediatrician who goes the extra mile for us.
Safety is a big issue for my little sweetie with ds right now. She recently started walking and can now reach all kinds of things not safe for her little hands! Knives and other sharp items must be kept away, any plates left setting on the table after a meal will be immediately pulled down and spilled. We have to be SUPER vigilant to keep all doors closed because she is out the door in a split second. I pray that she won't figure out how to open doors for a loong time yet! She is still sleeping in a crib but has climbed out a couple of times which is scarey! I need to know that she is safe at night while we are sleeping. So I am battling the insurance about a safety bed.
The little guy with spina bifida needs exersices three times a day on his feet. He has braces that need constant monitoring and adjustments. He has a wheelchair, stander, walker and two kinds of braces to keep up with.
I LOVE these kiddos and I love taking good care of them and being their mommy. They are full of smiles, hugs and kisses. I love dressing them up and making them look cute and helping them learn new skills. I am ok with the fact that the majority of my life from now on will be spent taking care of them. There truely is nothing else I would rather be doing.they are worthy and valuable, and I desire to be a testimony to the world that every life is precious. And these kids are worth every minute and every penny. But they are not pets. It will take a lot of time and work every day. This is the reality for me, I'm sure it does look different for each child and each family. (I am a single mom with five kids total, the other three are 14, 11 and 8). I will be happy to answer any more questions you might have. Hope this is helpful.
Just found your blog through another adoptive mama. Loved reading about your beautiful family but especially about your obedience and dying to God's will. We have 4 adopted foster children and are trying to discern God's promptings now about adopting internationally and possibly adopting a 10 year old foster child with special needs. We definitely didn't picture adding a 10 year old to our family, but someone made a statement to us recently, "It came down to a matter of obedience to God's will and not mine." Conviction. Then your blog added to that. Thanks for sharing your heart and especially for writing the post on Eastern Europe's orphanages. Not easy to share but necessary for us to see!
Adeye, both your daughters (that you mention in this blog) are thrieving! they are so beautiful and precious! its so lovely to see. To your blog follower csgour, well do any of us think so far ahead! maybe, maybe not! we take each precious moment of each precious day as it comes, and enjoy! Nobody knows what tomorrow will bring! Only HE! I pray daily for your newest treasures to be home! xo
Hello,
Thank you for your questions. I have answered all these questions since Hailee and Harper have been home. If you click on "Down syndrome" under the labels, you should find the answers.
I will certainly revisit these questions as the Lord leads me in my blogging.
Adéye
Thank you, Debbie. Means the world to me!
You are so blessed, sweet friend! Hailee and Harper are absolutely edible!!!!
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