« A little extra »

 

If there is something I am proud of in life, it is my children. Each one is a prodigy 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 category.

Pablo is the youngest of four brothers and sisters and has « a little extra », he has trisomy 21. I like the idea that he brings something, that he is a kind of reward. Moreover, Pablo was born with a severe 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 « a little extra » is receiving a permanent dose of love and learning to live here and now.

Being a mother changes one’s life. Being a mother of a child with « a little extra » changes it a bit more, for the better, provided that we are willing to walk other paths and forget unnecessary comparisons. In return, we receive a permanent dose of love and learn to live mindfully, here and now. It is a path built little by little, with lots of love, acceptance, and resilience. Like all meaningful things, the path is not easy, it’s demanding and often tough. That’s why it’s important to be well supported.

It is possible to be very happy as a mother of a child with a disability.

I was lucky to be well supported by family and friends, which is not the case for everyone. And I was able to surround myself with professionals who helped me overcome the inevitable obstacles. Pablo is now an adult, and when I look back, I realize how far we have come. I am proud of the family we have built and deeply grateful. I do not claim to help anyone; I simply want to share my personal experience as the mother of a young person with trisomy 21. Yes, it is possible to be very happy as a mother of a child with a disability. It is possible to be happy with a sibling who has a disability. It is possible to be happy as a couple with a child with a disability. It is possible to be happy as a family and grow. I do not seek to deny the difficulties, but who doesn’t have some? They simply do not take up all the space in our lives, far from it. Our life is filled with small daily victories that we savor twice as much because we are aware of their meaning and their cost. And that changes everything.

In the next article, I will address the disclosure of disability, which is a very delicate moment as a parent and deserves more attention from professionals and the entourage.