Apr 05 2009
What does the future hold for children with mosaic Down syndrome?
The most asked question of all young parents of children with mosaic Down syndrome and for that matter parents of children with any form of Down syndrome is “What will my child’s future be like?” As parents, we all have that stigma embedded into our brains and the worry follows close behind.
Of course, there is no way to predict any child’s future. For me, and many others, we just take it day by day. There is a scripture in the bible that says, “Don’t worry about tomorrow, because today has enough trouble of its own. Matt. 6:34″ This is something I have lived by, or at least tried to, throughout my children’s lives. They have taught me that there are no certainties. There are no guarantees. You just do your best and give your children the most opportunities possible, you don’t hold them back and they will blossom to whatever that may be!
About 7 years ago, my friend Susan did just that. Her daughter Melissa graduated High School, got married to her sweetheart, moved all the way to Maryland (from Texas) and she and her husband Adam opened a cafeteria that they still run today. Melissa has mosaic Down syndrome. Her husband, Adam is Blind.
I held my breath!
I couldn’t imagine my child moving across the country away from me. I guess I am a worrier. I admired Susan for being able to let go the way she did and let Melissa live her life.
A few years passed and Melissa and Adam had their first child-a girl! Marianne is beautiful and Melissa is a fantastic mother and Adam is a great dad!
Your first question…. I know…. No… Marianne does not have Down syndrome. Melissa’s affected cells are not in her reproductive organs.
In 2007, Melissa and Adam came to our Research & Awareness Conference where Melissa was our keynote speaker for the banquet. Last year, they began making plans to attend this year’s conference! However, their plans were changed.
Like I said…. You never know what the future will hold!
Instead of attending the conference they will be taking care of their new son Adam John. Little AJ was born Friday April 3rd at 9:22am. He weighed 8 lbs and 12 oz and was 21 inches long. Mother and baby are both doing good. AJ has a bit of jaundice and a small Cleft pallet, but he is simply beautiful and already very alert for a newborn! Marianne is loving her new baby brother and everyone is very happy and proud to have him in the family!
I promised Melissa that I would not share pictures of her right after birth! I know what I looked like after my kids were born and although I think Melissa looks beautiful even right after giving birth, there is no way that I would do that to any mother! So, here is a picture of Melissa and Adam at our 2007 conference at our after banquet dance.
The picture I am dying to share with you is this one!
Marianne with her new baby brother AJ.
No one knows what the future will bring. But with opportunities ANYTHING is possible!
Congratulations Adam and Melissa! You have the most beautiful children! I wish you all the best!
One Response to “What does the future hold for children with mosaic Down syndrome?”
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.
Not A Member? Register for Free!
This is Susan, Melissa’s mom! Excellent article Kristy. I appreciate all you do and thanks…Susan