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Rant for celebrating Down Syndrome Awareness Month

A rant to celebrate Down Syndrome Awareness Month: “Raising a child with Down Syndrome.”

From discovering in the womb that your child will more than likely have Down Syndrome. Doctors educate you about the multiple health and mental issues. To a downright doctor advising to terminate pregnancy. The anguished decision to keep child. To the instant love at birth, and think what a great choice you have made.

The monthlong hospital stay on the Mainland for the heart issue most Down Syndrome babies are born with. Forgetting all the horror and tears of the hospital stay because you love your baby so much. The rushes to the emergency room washed away when your baby becomes a child that perfectly loving soul.

Come to present some six years later and your baby has become the school rock star where little classmates line up to kiss him for his birthday. Who shows no ego when getting busted doing the wrong thing and instantly apologizes for his or her actions. Your special child who touches so many souls every day, as you wonder am I the one with “special needs”? The child quick to hug and peck you on the cheek and you feel it down to your heels. Or something like that.

He’s 12 now.

Andrew Bayron

Kahului

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