The Nathan Series 2/4: Johnson/Dad

(The Nathan Series 2/4: Johnson/Dad)

"My wife was four months pregnant and I had just been laid off from my job when we received the prenatal diagnosis that our son would have Down syndrome. I was shocked, confused, and scared. I didn’t take it easily. I was worried about what the future would look like. Without a job I feared about how I would be able to properly provide for this child, especially for medical related issues. I felt overwhelmed, but the biggest question I had was, “What is Down syndrome?” This lack of understanding what Down syndrome was, was my biggest roadblock. The unknown caused fear as I worried about taking care of someone with a disability. I had no information about how they learn, live or how to teach them. I feared not being able to provide for my child. This fear led me to endless scenarios and I even considered termination, which was a low point in my life. My wife and I kept thinking about what the future would look like, and I tell you what, google research just gives you a huge list of medical problems of what a child with Down syndrome might have, but not their future. In the midst of all the fear and doubt our ob-gyn referred us to a local Down syndrome organization. We visited to see what they could offer in terms of help and advice. They not only helped us but gave us so much more. I was welcomed by loving people who were willing to support my wife and I with information. As I learned more about Down syndrome, my belief in faith also increased and with my wife’s desire to have this child, the fear I originally held slowly went away. We felt empowered with a community and with knowledge, we were confident that we would be able to help our child live his life to the fullest, and that is exactly what happened."

#ThisIsDownSyndrome #TheLuckyFew