Since Mason is finally home and our little family is getting into the swing of thing...some new concerns have arose.
Thankfully none of the concerns are about Mason's health...they are more about how the world perceives this little boy. In our "circle" ( Family & Friends) Mason is treated just like a regular baby.....well almost.... he is a little more loved then a regular baby. But now I find myself wondering how the world will treat my little boy. Will they accept him, love him, or will they mistreat him?
None of these questions are ones I can answer. When were out and about with Mason, I wonder if people can tell he has down syndrome. I pray they don't feel sorry for us, were not sorry he has DS. When I look at Mason, all I see is answered prayers. I took a long 5month fight to get this tiny boy here....and there is nothing to be sorry for. He is perfect in Gods eyes...and ours.
The other night was the first time I had to tell a stranger that Mason has down syndrome. I didn't think it would hurt my heart as much as it did. Saying that he has DS didn't hurt me...it was the sad reaction the stranger returned that broke my heart. Her intentions were good but I could see the pity in her eyes. That look of sadness . Then the comments on how "sweet and kind" children with DS are. Its like they are trying to convince themselves that its a good thing.
I guess this is just something I will need to get used to. Maybe I will be able to better educate people on DS and that Mason will live a normal life and do normal thing... just at his own pace. That sadness & pity don't make it any better and that Mason is really just like any other baby...just a little bit more special.
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You will be surprised at how quickly you become OK with your reality opposed to strangers. Even my IL's refused to believe Peyton had CP, even after seeing a neuro at children's in pittsburgh & DC, both very good hospitals.
ReplyDeleteAfter her diagnosis, nothing freaked me out more than someone asking how she was doing. I froze. What do I say, how much info do I offer. But, I had to tell them because if not, they looked confused as to why she had PT/OT/DT, etc.
We love our children unconditionally and they are perfect, no matter what. I wouldn't change anything about Peyton, I love her just the way she is. My fears revolve around her becoming old enough to remember all of the appointments, the MRI's, the cath's, etc. Then, It's going to be worse, right now, she won't remember anything, I have to take all the pain she's experienced and deal with it myself. When she knowingly starts to deal with it, and remember, it's going to hurt me so much more.
For what it's worth, visually, he doesn't look like a DS baby, to me. Have they mentioned mosaic down syndrome?
I remember thinking the same things when Grant was born. Your little guy reminds me so much of my little guy, too. My grandma still says that "he doesn't look like he has Down's". But, she is my grandma and she can say that without it insulting me. Now, if anyone else says it, that's another story. I can honestly say that of all my children, he is the cutest baby I have had BECAUSE he has DS!
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