Down Syndrome Awareness: Fear of the Unknown

Our Daily Fred: Fear of the unknown. 

For some adventurous people, it's an exhilarating feeling. But for most of us, it can be scary...even paralyzing. 

It can make us doubt ourselves, our convictions, and even the things we know to be true. 

Let's discuss Down Syndrome...and Iceland. 

First, Down Syndrome: Most people, when they get a prenatal diagnosis of DS, or, like with us, a "surprise " diagnosis at birth, can be afraid. There can be disbelief, questions, and fear of the unknown. What is DS? What does this mean for me? For my baby? How will this affect my family? How will others receive him/her? What about therapies, education, job training...healthcare? Or long-term care, in the event you predecease your child? 

All valid concerns. 

Here's what I can tell you: Down Syndrome is not scary...it's amazing. I'm not even kidding. 

Oh there are challenges and hurdles, to be sure. But, guess what? I gave birth 3 more times after Joshua, and there have been challenges and hurdles even with our "typically developing" children. 

Amiright, parents? 

A Down Syndrome diagnosis gives you facts from your child's DNA. It will tell you definitively if your child has a 3rd (or extra) copy of the 21 chromosome. 

It cannot tell you their personality, their character traits, quirks, strengths, likes/dislikes. It cannot tell you if they will have a sense of humor. It cannot tell you that their smile will light up a room. It cannot tell you how much your heart will hurt as you watch them struggle over each milestone, or how full your heart will be after each accomplishment. It can't tell you how much you will celebrate all the little things in life. It can't tell you that your child will teach you to slow down, linger longer...to not sweat the small stuff. It can't tell you about the amazing and supportive community of families you will join, as a result of your child's birth. And it can't tell you how this child will enhance your life. 

No, it can't tell you ANY of that. 

DON'T BE AFRAID! Our lives are full of so much JOY! 

Now, about ICELAND: If you haven't heard, Iceland is trying for 100% eradication of Down Syndrome.

Or, of pre-born people who have Down Syndrome. 

And other countries not far behind. 

And, listen, if you think it's gonna stop with pre-born infants with Down Syndrome, you are being naive. 

While fear of the unknown may be a component in this line of thinking, there are probably many other concerns for this population to think that a world without Down Syndrome is okay. In fact, that was the name of the BBC documentary. 

In this documentary, they interviewed a woman who'd had a late-term abortion after getting her prenatal diagnosis. She was 25 weeks pregnant. 

To put this into perspective, 25 weeks gestation is considered viable, and all necessary protocol will be used to save the life of your baby, if they are born prematurely at this stage. 

Our youngest son was just 2 weeks further along than this when he was born, and we were so thankful for the medical intervention and attention he received after his birth. 

In the documentary, the lady said, "it was strange to feel him kicking and moving around one minute...and then nothing, the next." And why was this happening? Because in their society, it is considered no big deal to end a life that is considered unworthy. 

I'm telling you that this is a slippery slope...deciding who is considered deserving of a chance at life. 

Because all of us are a fall, a heart attack, an aneurysm, amputation, car accident, disease, brain injury...away from losing our mental or physical abilities, of needing lots of assistance...of being labeled "special needs." 

What then? 

Are you useless? 

I'm not a fan of the unknown. 

But, if you are a follower of Christ, stepping into the unknown will be your life, as you learn to submit to and embrace a life that is based on NOT knowing what lies ahead; a life that requires you to step out in faith; a life that will stretch you beyond what you are able to process and endure on your own; a life that is consistently out of your comfort zone; continually being molded, pressed, refined, and used by God in ways you cannot even imagine...for His glory. 

Down Syndrome has changed our lives...for the better...and I will forever SHOUT HIS WORTH. 

"I praise You for I am fearfully and wonderfully made..." Psalm 139: 14