(The Chris Series 3/12: Mike/Dad)

(The Chris Series 3/12: Mike/Dad)

"The opportunity to describe Chris is enormous! There have been magical moments, blessed moments and just downright funny moments! The first ‘God moment’ came at his birth! Months before, I was praying and expressing my joy of 4 wonderful children. I laughed because I knew these kids would grow up, move out, get married and start families! We (God and me) started laughing about how wonderful it would be to have a ‘kid’ forever! So I asked God for a ‘life-long kid!’ Went on to work and forgot about it! About a month later, Jane said she was pregnant. I was so excited!

I totally forgot my prayer, went through the pregnancy and then the delivery day came! Chris was the cutest of all our babies, great smile, cute nose, all his fingers and toes. Yay!

I told the kids about their new brother, that he would be a star athlete as they were already good athletes. Totally blessed!

THEN the phone rang, it was the hospital. ‘Mr. Moore, you need to get back here right away. We have a problem with your son! He has Down syndrome! And a heart defect!’ My world collapsed! Down syndrome?!?!? What the hell is Down syndrome?? I raced the 91 Freeway in a daze. All my dreams.. All my joys..Gone!

Got to the hospital and all the social workers were running around. Doctors everywhere scurrying. One dr came in and said he will adopt our baby! What the Hell!!? Depressed, I go out to the hallway head in hands and cry! This was not what I hoped for! Then my brother in law walked in and said ‘Congratulations!’ I asked, ‘What? Didn’t you hear Christopher has Down syndrome!?’ And he says ‘He will be your little boy forever!’

Click! I started sobbing because my prayer was answered! Chris has been my little boy now for 28 years.

Every day of the past 28 years has been a true joy. So many stories to tell, A full book to write."

#ThisIsDownSyndrome #TheLuckyFew