The Jeff Series 2/5: Carlene/Mom

The Jeff Series 2/5: Carlene/Mom

"I stood backstage overwhelmed with emotion as my son with Down syndrome, who was 23 at the time, stood on a stage and received a standing ovation from over 4,000 Young Life Leaders. I remember watching in tears thinking 'Gosh, I wish I knew about this moment when Jeffrey was born.'

In fact, there is so much I wish I would have known when I got his Down syndrome diagnosis. I wish I would have known he would bring the house down in Orlando. Forty-one years ago when I was told my newborn had Down syndrome, I wish I had known all that I would have to look forward to and that I had nothing to fear. I wish I knew that Jeff would speak publicly, advocate in Washington D.C., or travel across the country as a speaker. I wish I knew that he would go to his high school prom and homecoming dances with typical girls and remain their friend for life. I wish I knew he would choose to stay in Southern California because he had both a steady girlfriend and a steady job rather than join his father and me when we relocated briefly in Northern California. I wish I knew Jeff would be published. I wish I knew he would be asked to be in four weddings with responsibilities from best man to usher. I wish I knew he would thoughtfully consider marriage himself and then decide against it.

Not only did I not know what a full life he would have, I didn’t know who he would become. I wish I knew how often I would be told about his ability to comfort those experiencing sorrow and grief. I wish I knew he would always love a good joke and have a great sense of humor. The day my son was born I had yet to experience his exceptional joy and unconditional love for everyone in his orbit. In short I wish I would have known then what a GIFT I had been given."

#TheLuckyFew #ThisIsDownSyndrome