Oliver and Bee - Living Life With An Extra-Ordinary Chromosome

Competition. Where does the constant need for competition come from when we are talking about our kids, or even our parenting? It's something I see on the daily, and quite franky Im calling bullshit. Mums need to support Mums, Dads need to support Dads, and Mums and Dads need to support each other. We are ALL on this crazy journey called parenthood, and not 1 of us really know what the fuck we are doing. We just do it. Whether you have 1 child or 7 children, each child is an individual being and each journey is different. Which leads my to my next question. Why cant we praise each other when we talk about our childs achievements? Why do we compare our kids when their genetic makeup is NOTHING alike? It makes no sense to me. I tell you what, the next time a friend, partner, or parent confides in you about their childs achievement, praise them, hug them, be proud for them. Because the last thing they want to hear is, "Oh yes Billy has been doing that for ...

When we are out and about what do you see? I see a baby looking at me. You stare, you whisper and give a faint smile, It's something I notice from as far as a mile. I hear your words as clear as day, I couldn't do it, you will say. You ramble about someone you knew, "Down Syndrome is given to the lucky few." To which I nod and give a smirk, I can see you are sorry and starting to lurk. I share my story of how he became, You tell me I'm special for playing this game. My eyes roll for I've heard it before, I'm just another mother you've met at the store. We are no different, me and you, Mothers with children both of us two. We both have a Journey, unique and its own, The difference you see is what we have known. Just look and you'll see people all around, Different faces, colours, all shapes and sounds. We've grown to judge by what we see, I strive to show you how he has changed me. ...

Oh what I wish I had said. Hey you, Cashier at Big W, yes you. You know the new mum with the diagnosis of Down syndrome for her baby? Yeh her. She doesnt want to hear about your negative encounters with people with disabilities, particularly down syndrome. Or how you once had a conversation with a lady about how she couldn't understand why people would interact with "retards" or how they "have no future" or that they are "disgusting." Did you think this story would make a mother feel at ease? Did you think it would make her excited for her childs future and the bullying you so openly find appropriate. Yes my child has down syndrome, like many other people that have varying differences, and this does NOT mean they are a burden to this world because of it. Nor does it give people permission to say such foul and hurtful things. People like you are a burden to this society, not people like my son, not those of us that are kind, and loving...

Dear new Mamma with an expectant or confirmed diagnosis of Down Syndrome for her baby, I see you. I see you feel as if you've been hit by a wall when your doctor delivers the news. I see your heart sink and you wonder, why me? I see you sit and overthink, research for hours on end. I see you worry. I see you cry, and grieve, for a baby you thought you had. I see your guilt, for feeling the way that you feel. I see you rub you belly, so in love, yet so distant, so scared. I see you watch and look at others with Down Syndrome, worried for what the future will bring your child. I see you smile when you feel those first kicks and rolls, but wonder, will my baby crawl? Walk? Talk? I see you feeling lost, like you have walked 1 step forward and 2 steps back. I see you hold it all together, I see bravery, love, kindness, and hope. I see a fierce woman, one that would still protect her baby with all of her being. I see you becoming the m...

When I found out I was going to be a mother, I didnt expect to be on the journey I am on. I didnt think this would be my life. Im not any stronger because of it. Im not "meant" to be the mother of a child with T21, it just happened! Having a child with T21 is both rewarding and heart wrenching. I see his struggle, and I see his strength. Hes my happy, loving, gentle, shy and courageous baby boy. He loves to splash around in the bath and make a mess with his food. He cries because he is tired and when hes in pain. He does all the things a typical baby does, but he also does more. He uses all his strength in each and every movement. He persists and never gives up, even though its hard. Hes thrown hurdle after hurdle, but he never stops jumping, running, untill he reaches the finish line. He suffers through pain only we can imagine. Did you know hes been poked and prodded with needles more than 100 times? He bares scars on his chest, his tummy, his little foot, hi...

The last few weeks have been hard. Oliver has been sick and Its taken its toll. But I want to break it down for the people who just dont get it. Please let me help you to understand. I see your eyes roll when I tell you about my son being sick and how having Down Syndrome and congenital heart disease affects his immune system. And I get it.. Ive said it a million times before and your sick of hearing it. But it terrifies me. But what I dont tell you is I suffer major anxiety each time I hear him cough. I wake up and I can see in his eyes that he is not well, and I instantly feel my stomach turning. Because I know how quickly it can get worse. I sit up awake at night staring at his chest, watching it rise and fall, because I know what It looks like to be in respiratory distress from something as simple as a viral infection. I see the doctor about each and every little thing, because I need the reassurance that its not as bad as I make it out to be in my head. I take him to...

As time creeps closer to 21st of March, (World Down Syndrome day.) I find myself reflecting on this time last year and the motions I was experiencing after a diagnosis of down syndrome for my son. I had decided to overcome the fear of Oliver's diagnosis and felt I could do this by sharing with people that he in fact had Down Syndrome. I felt I was holding something back by hiding it from people. I felt like down syndrome was a burden on my shoulder and I didnt know how to overcome it. I made the decision to share with friends, family, and work colleagues, and the parents and children at my work what was in store for us. And let me tell you it was the best thing I did. The support I recieved was unimaginable. The love and strength I felt was amazing and down syndrome no longer felt like something to be ashamed of. I was bloody proud and I wanted EVERYONE to know it! It makes me sad now to think of the feelings I felt during that time and how unsure and afraid I was. But o...