October is Down syndrome awareness month. Our campaign this month is called ‘A Day in the Life’. Throughout the month we will be sharing blogs from our community about what it’s like having someone with Down syndrome in their lives. Today we share Mia’s story, written by mum, Louise.
Well, today has been much like any other, all three of my children not listening, not doing as they are asked, not wanting to eat what’s made for them ….children being children I guess.
My little lady, Mia, who has Down syndrome is 7 years old. When I was pregnant, we didn’t know she was a little bit extra special. We soon did, when she arrived on the kitchen floor in her membrane(!) with her 2.5yr old sister acting as midwife. Clearly, her diagnosis was a huge shock to us all. Due to society, the way medical professionals offer support and lack of understanding from so many there was quite a lot to learn and quickly too. Information overload springs to mind. What we soon realised, was we had a beautiful baby girl who just needed to be loved and cared for….just like all babies.
Like any child, there have been good, bad and indifferent days, there’s been those full of appointments, full of questions, fighting for what she needs and fighting to understand her.
Mia is the middle one of three. She attends mainstream school, goes to Beavers and plays tennis, just like her two siblings and many of her peers.
Mia can talk, walk, dress herself, swim, have meltdowns, laugh and cry….just like everyone else. I suppose looking back, it just meant that because things took her longer than her siblings, I had my little baby girl for just a bit longer, including those special cuddles we all yearn for.
Mia isnt always happy, she can strop better than anyone I know (and as I am a Scorpio, headstrong or rather determined/wilful) that’s saying something!
Best of all, she gives the best hugs in the world…with real warmth and making the recipient feel loved, wanted and cared for. She knows how to “work” people….everyone that meets her, falls in love and are enchanted by her. She has a great personality, very warm and caring. She doesnt take no for an answer, be it wanting what she wants for lunch, what she wants to achieve, how she wants to learn or help someone in anyway she can. She’s a fighter thats for sure.
I guess my point is, Mia is an individual. She is unique, fun, loving, stroppy, argumentative and all the other things you can be too.
A day in the life of having a child with Down syndrome isn’t really that much different from having any child who is wilful, determined and yours….you created that child, you bought them into this world, you nurture them…..they are part of you and what makes this world just a little more interesting, varied and fun each and every day.
I’m proud of my daughter, all that she is, all that she has achieved and all that is to come. A day in the life without her, is life without oxygen.
I wouldnt want it any other way.