My sister-in-law called. Her reaction was the BEST. She immediately congratulated me and told me about how excited she was since I’d get to plan sister-sets (coordinating clothes for the girls). And she reassured that Mason would be fine, he’s devoted to Dakota Kate so this baby will be no different.
She suggested that when I was ready, I should watch the A&E reality show “Born this Way” because it was like a “Real World” version (although much more tame) of adolescents with Down syndrome. And she advised that this baby will likely be the favorite grand baby because she’s so special. (Gigi, those were her words, not mine!) But I know she’s right.
She didn’t show pity, didn’t view the news as negative, and was genuinely celebratory and supportive. I just adore her!
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And then I shared the news with a very select few of my closest friends a couple of days later. I still had to process things. It was all so raw.
They were good listeners, and prayer warriors.
God provides.
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But in the spirit of full disclosure, I often found it easier to exclaim news of Aria’s Down syndrome to either random strangers or acquaintance-friends if they inquired how my pregnancy was going.
You know how sometimes people just say “Hi, how are you?” and only expect in return, “I’m great, how are you?” Well, my news-blurts usually started with an innocent question on their part like, “How’s baby growing?” or “When are you due?”…I found it tough to navigate explaining that I’m due in July, but that Dr. F was already preparing me for an earlier C-section (surgery would be a first) and would deliver Baby Aria early if there were any signs of fetal distress.
My apologies to those who received an unexpected earful!
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And I'd be remiss if I didn't mention how Scott handled telling people. I'm very proud of him. My husband, whose only sibling had severe mental retardation, was groomed and prepared for this. He broke the news matter-of-factly, and made sure to stress that there was no shame attached at all---he simply said, "the Down syndrome thing doesn't even bother me," his primary concerns were centered around Baby's survival and specifically whether she had any heart defects.
God provides.
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And I'd be remiss if I didn't mention how Scott handled telling people. I'm very proud of him. My husband, whose only sibling had severe mental retardation, was groomed and prepared for this. He broke the news matter-of-factly, and made sure to stress that there was no shame attached at all---he simply said, "the Down syndrome thing doesn't even bother me," his primary concerns were centered around Baby's survival and specifically whether she had any heart defects.
God provides.
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