16
Meet:
When we were told that Kennedy was
being tested for Down syndrome along with being born with a fatal heart defect I pretty much thought my world had came to and end.
I remember our Dr. getting choked up as he was telling me and me responding with " No! I had the test it came back negative!"
I am going to be honest here and admit that if the test had come back positive I would have considered termination. Growing up I knew of someone's brother who had Down syndrome, and my vision of him was that of a vegetated state. That was over 35 years ago and the medical field has come a long way since.
Looking back now, I am so thankful for that negative result. I can't say it has been easy but I can say it has been worth it.
When we were able to return home after 3 weeks of living at The Ronald McDonald House in San Francisco, 4 hours away from our home town that was when my true journey began.
I had two other daughters Kirstin and Kendall ages 13 & 9 to take care of. I also had to coordinate with therapists ,social workers and doctors for Kennedy . It seemed never ending.
During the first 6 months I was embarrassed to take Kennedy out as she had a feeding tube, leg braces, a huge scar on her chest and the obvious signs of Down syndrome.
I did not want anyone asking me what was wrong with her because that would have resulted in me having a complete melt down.
Kennedy
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