The SpecialMoms Parenting Magazine 2nd Issue | Page 4

Paul Murasko

Tell us about yourself and your family.

there was a potential for Down Syndrome but
agreed against the amniocentesis. We knew the
test result would not have changed our decision
and was not worth the risks involved. When
Jacob was born, the nurse indicated his Apgar
tests were low and that they thought he had
Down syndrome. They drew blood and sent it
to the Mayo Clinic for testing. A few days later,
it was confirmed he had Trisomy 21, which is
better known as Down Syndrome.

I am a husband, married to my best friend and
loving wife, Marla. I am a father of two awesome
children: Amanda is 19 and a freshman in college
and Jacob is 8 and is currently in first grade. I
was born and raised on the east coast but have
primarily lived in the Midwest the past 20 years.
I work for Johnson & Johnson and have been
there for over 25+ years. I am very active in my
community through being a member on several
organization boards, as well as being a coach for
my son’s basketball team. Besides spending time
with the family, I enjoy golf and reading in my
spare time, as well as taking family vacations and

What were your first thoughts when you
heard of your child’s diagnosis?

having that occasional “date” night with my wife.

How did you find out about your child’s
diagnosis?
We initially found that our child would be born
with a “hole in his heart” when my wife was early
in her second trimester. At that point, we knew

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To be honest it was a shock and one that I had
to get a handle on. I am the type of person who
likes a plan, likes understanding the situation
and having the answers. However this was not
possible when the diagnosis was confirmed. I
found myself in unfamiliar territory; I needed
to think and talk it through. So I went to the
hospital chapel to sit and pray. I then had
multiple conversations with my wife and family,
quickly realizing that this is going to be a time

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