A little something extra
If there is something I am proud of in life, it's my children. Each of them is a marvel and a challenge, each holds a special place in my heart, each in their own way helps me move forward in life. But I must admit that Pablo is a champion in every respect.
Pablo is the youngest of four siblings and he has that little extra something, he has Down syndrome. I love the idea that he brings something unique, that he is a sort of reward. Furthermore, Pablo was born with a serious heart defect and has already undergone several surgeries. He is a survivor endowed with a vitality that many would envy.
Being a mother of a child with that little extra something means receiving a constant dose of love and learning to live in the here and now.
Being a mother changes life itself. Being a mother of a child with that little extra something changes it a bit more, for the better, provided one is ready to walk on different paths and to forget useless comparisons. In return, you receive a constant dose of love and learn to live mindfully, here and now. It's a path that is built little by little, with lots of love, acceptance, and resilience. Like all important things, the path is not easy, it's demanding and often challenging. That's why it's important to have good support.
It's possible to be very happy as a mother of a child with a disability.
I was fortunate to have good support from family and friends, not everyone has that. I could surround myself with professionals who helped me overcome the inevitable obstacles. Pablo is now an adult and when I look back, I realize all the progress made. I am proud of the family we have built and deeply grateful. I do not claim to be able to help anyone, I simply wish to share my personal experience as a mother of a young adult with Down syndrome. Yes, it's possible to be very happy as a mother of a child with a disability. It's possible to be happy having a sibling with a disability. It's possible to be happy as a couple with a child with a disability. It's possible to be happy as a family and grow. I'm not trying to deny the difficulties, but who doesn't have any? Simply put, they do not take up all the space in our lives, far from it. Our lives are filled with small daily victories that we savor twice as much because we are aware of what they mean and what they have cost. And that changes everything.
In the next article, I will address the announcement of the disability, which is a very delicate moment as a parent and deserves more attention from professionals and the environment.