So You've Hit the Jackpot

Written By: Sharon Randall

We heard a lot of interesting things when Davis was born with Down Syndrome. We fielded questions like "is it serious?" and tried to figure out how to respond when people expressed their condolences. We gritted our teeth when an acquaintance told us he knew of a group of adults with Down Syndrome who were happy with their jobs cleaning highway rest areas, as we sat there with our six-week old. We sat in despair as others remained silent, not visiting and not calling…not knowing what to say. And then there was this lone comment, "If you're going to have a child with a disability, and you have one with Down Syndrome, you've hit the jackpot." And that's the comment that we've found the truth in. Here are some of the reasons we feel we hit the jackpot with Davis, and how you may have hit the jackpot too.

Enjoying an enriched sense of being needed: When Davis was first born, one of my fears (and there were many) was that it wouldn't matter to him that I was his mother….that he wouldn't recognize me as his mother….that I could be anyone to him. Now, of course, I know that's a ridiculous thought, but we were surprised by Davis's Down Syndrome at birth, so were completely unprepared, and completely ignorant about what Down Syndrome really is. Now I know I will be more needed, not less needed, in Davis's life. Those of us who have children with Down Syndrome are more needed, not less needed, and I think most mothers would agree that feeling needed and being able to meet the needs of another human being is one of the most wonderful ways parenting enriches our lives.

Exchanging the routine for celebration: I've contemplated renting out a local hotel ballroom in a few months and hosting the world's first "he's walking!" party. I have two other children and vaguely remember their first steps, but when Davis gets up and going (and he's close), there's going to be a party. Having a child with Down Syndrome makes so many routine accomplishments celebrations…..and whose life wouldn't be better with a little more celebration and a little less routine?

Contributing something wonderful to this world: Children with special needs touch others in ways no one else can. Davis has nestled himself into the lap of someone he didn't even know who was recovering from a severe stroke. He has embraced someone who had recently lost a child, has charmed a group of hard core Harley Davidson bikers, often crawls into the laps of unexpecting senior citizens, and comforts those in pain. He is a magnet for humanity. Every time I hear the song "Let there be peace on earth and let it begin with me" I think I'm going to rename it the "Davis Theme Song." And it's effortless. He's not out to comfort, to encourage, to care….he's just being the gift that he is, and we are awed by this gift for which we are stewards.

So did I feel like a winner when Davis was born? The honest and very painful truth is no. Did the jackpot comment make any sense to me at the time? Not much more than other things that were said those first few weeks. But after almost three years with this amazing little boy with Down Syndrome….do I feel like a winner now? YOU BET!