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I let go of the sadness and chose to be happy. I was about to embark on a great journey. I was going to have two children! And although the diagnosis of Down syndrome wasn’t anything I could control, my attitude and actions were.
I had to be an advocate and the best mother I could be for them. So I began to celebrate them, Julian and Noel, two human beings that were coming into the world.
I bought matching outfits, decorated their nursery and had a spectacular baby shower (which I planned, of course)!
I did all the things any mother would do to welcome her new baby into the world.
I admit, I was scared, even terrified at times.
Like a giant wave, the due date was fast approaching and my life was about to change forever, ready or not!
Sometimes, I would lie awake at night wondering how I would feel when they were finally here. Would I still be happy? When I looked at their faces and saw the almond shaped eyes, characteristic of Down syndrome, would my heart break all over again? Would I cry out of grief and never stop?
On January 9th the wave finally came crashing in. My little boys made their debut, kicking and screaming! I frantically searched their face, looking for confirmation of Down Syndrome.
They had my chin, my husbands lips, my daughters ears and beautiful almond shaped eyes – such BEAUTIFUL eyes.
I fell in love, a kind of love I had never known before. I cried…tears of joy! My boys were gorgeous.
My boys were healthy and strong, not everyone is that fortunate.
I WAS lucky, I WAS blessed!
I held those two precious beings
to my chest and thanked them for
coming into our family, for choosing
me to be their mother.
Soon after the delivery, a pediatrician cautiously approached my husband. He said he suspected the boys may have Down Syndrome. My husband, proudly holding his sons in his arms said, “Yes, we know. We’ve known for several months.” The doctor smiled and said, “Well, it looks like the came to the right family then.”
Yes, yes they did. The perfect family.
Venessa Diaz is an Actor, Singer and Writer from Queens, NY
Follow her on Twitter at @OrganicSofrito and join the Twins Facebook Page to learn more about them.