Marty, You Make Me Better

Our little Marty was diagnosed with Down syndrome at birth. We opted for no testing during my pregnancy, just like my first two, because no matter what, we would love our baby! There were no markers for anything throughout my pregnancy; the only reason they thought of testing after birth was because he failed the newborn hearing test. We are happy to say that he has his hearing and there was no damage done, there was just too much fluid in his ears at birth because of how fast he came out!

When we were waiting for his Down syndrome diagnosis, it was terrible. You look up everything about Down syndrome, and the internet gives you all the worst-case scenarios. Needless to say, I cried every day of my maternity leave. I thought that Marty was going to have all of the health issues mentioned, and people would treat him differently.

Fast forward to today…. Marty is 1 year old and the light of our entire family’s life!! He has no health issues (we are so thankful), he is keeping up with his peers, he makes us laugh every day, and best of all, no one treats him any differently than our other 2! I wish the internet would show you these kinds of stories when you are looking up information about having a baby with Down syndrome. However, the wonderful thing is that you can find amazing resources and support. By connecting with Down syndrome organizations and other Down syndrome families, you get to see all the GREAT and amazing things that can come with raising a child with Down syndrome. We wouldn’t trade our little Marty for the world!

-Carressa, Marty’s Mom (Wisconsin)