03/19/2021
💙💛 Stetson’s Journey 💛💙
From the moment I went into labor with Stetson I knew our journey with him was going to be unique. I loaded up Dixie & Levi and headed to the field his Dad was working in. While he finished up his round of spraying I sat in the vehicle telling myself, “Nope there’s no way. I’m 3 weeks early! This is false labor.”
We headed to the hospital, and I went up to labor & delivery alone, while my husband drove around with the kids. I was sure they were going to tell me “Yup this is just false labor,” but when they said, “Ma’am you should call your husband and have him drop the kids off with someone. This is the real deal,” I was in shock.
A few hours later they placed this beautiful little boy with a full head of hair into my arms. Right away, I noticed some unique facial features. Squinty swollen eyes, short chubby fingers....but he was so beautiful those thoughts only crossed my mind for a few seconds. He was a perfect little baby boy & we were over joyed.
Sometime in the next 24-32 hours we were told they suspected he had Down Syndrome. I won’t lie...at first I was crushed. Immediately I blamed myself & started sobbing. Is this because I missed a day of taking my prenatal? Is this because I had caffeine during my pregnancy? Then all the fears entered my mind...Will he be picked on for being different? Will his family & siblings be accepting? He’s going to live with us for ever? He won’t be able to do everything my other kids can.
Well fast forward to today and I laugh at those thoughts that crossed my mind. I was so uneducated about what Down Syndrome actually was & and what individuals with Down Syndrome are capable of. Stetson has taught me so much in the short time he’s been here already. He has made an impact on almost anyone he encounters.
What I’ve learned...
💛 Down Syndrome has no known proven cause of why it occurs. Us as parents did not cause it. We just got extremely lucky and blessed to have a kiddo with this special extra chromosome.
💙 Stetson is different from his peers and that’s ok. It makes him unique. Just like my other children are all individually different.
💛 We learned very quickly Stetson is capable of anything. He finds a way to accomplish what ever it is he sets his mind to and is a very determined little guy!
💙 As far as Stetson being loved & accepted...let me tell you Stetson is loved by EVERYONE! I don’t know how he does it but he brings a smile to the grumpiest persons face. That love and acceptance goes both ways. He loves everyone he meets with out a care of who they are or what they look like.
I share this story because we are just 2 days away from World Down Syndrome Day. A day to celebrate and raise awareness of all our extra special friends like Stetson. How to show support: Wear crazy socks, post a picture of someone you love with Down Syndrome, wear your Stetson’s Rodeo Crew gear! Sunday, March 21, 2021
