Guest Post: A Story Worth Every Page
We’re celebrating Mother’s Day by highlighting the stories of some of the incredible moms in our Jack’s Basket community, and the lessons they’ve learned along this journey of raising a child with Down syndrome.
Vivian’s son, Alex, received a Jack’s Basket in 2021. She now serves as a Basket Delivery Parent in Texas, and has connected with dozens of families. Vivian shared this reflection about her motherhood journey:
“Being a mom is the greatest gift I have ever received. I have two kids, Aubree, who is 11, and Alex, who is 4. Alex is my rockin’ kid, the one who keeps me on my toes and makes every single day an adventure I never could have planned.
What I wish I had known:
I found out about Alex’s diagnosis while I was pregnant, and it was a big shock. I had no idea what to expect, and everything I found online at the time was negative. I was so scared that I wouldn’t be able to give him everything he needed to succeed in life.
When a doctor tells you that “something is wrong” with your baby, it is terrifying. It is not what you want to hear when all you have are hopes and dreams for this new little person. I wish I could go back and tell that scared version of myself that Alex was going to bring so much light into our lives and into the lives of everyone who has the privilege of meeting him.
There was never anything wrong with my baby, and I wish I had known that from the very first moment I heard the news.
What raising Alex has taught me:
Raising Alex has taught me to slow down, to have more patience, and to notice the small things in life. Alex is endlessly curious and finds genuine joy in the tiniest moments. He has taught me to stop, look, and really be present in those moments with him. He has made me a better mom to both of my kids, and honestly, a better person.
What I want to say to a new mom:
If you have just received a Down syndrome diagnosis for your baby, I want you to take a breath. I see you, and I know how afraid you are right now. But I promise you, the love your child is going to pour into your world will change your life in the most beautiful way. The information you find today does not tell your child’s story. Only your child gets to do that. And trust me, it is going to be a story worth every page.
What I hope Alex always knows:
I hope Alex always knows how deeply, completely, and unconditionally he is loved. I hope he always knows that he is not defined by a diagnosis. I hope he always knows that he can do absolutely anything he puts his mind to.
I pray every day that everybody sees him beyond a diagnosis. That they see his curiosity, joy, kindness, and the way he lights up every room he walks into.
He has already changed my life in ways I never expected, and I will spend every day of mine making sure he knows just how special he truly is.”
-Vivian, Alex’s Mom (Texas)
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