Since Ace joined our family we have had the pleasure of answering the many questions that come with being the parents of a child with special needs. Rather than feel put out by these inquiries, we look at them as opportunities to share what a joy it has been to have a child with Down syndrome. By far the question we get asked the most is "Did you know he was going to be born with Down syndrome?" Often times this question is asked with an undertone of sympathy. There are those that will then go on to express grief for us and some have even apologized to us when they remark on Asa's condition. I think most are surprised when we assure them that we have never shared in that grief and have no need for sympathy.
In fact, we strongly feel that we are the ones that carry a heavy burden of sympathy. Sympathy for a world that fails to see the value in each and every life that God has deemed worthy of creation. We grieve and mourn the loss of the 90 percent of babies that are aborted every year when their mothers discover that they have Down syndrome. Our hearts break for a society that views children born with special needs as a burden. And as we look into the sapphire eyes of our precious son, it is us that grieve the reality that he will likely face ridicule and rejection many times over because of his condition.
But deeply intertwined with our grief is love. A consuming love for our son that drives us to pray for this fallen world and fills our hearts with the hope that there will come a day when ALL human life is viewed as sacred. Oh, how God must grieve when He looks upon His creation and sees how little we cherish the gift of life that He so lovingly bestowed on us!
This coming Sunday is Sanctity of Human Life Sunday. Will you please take time on that day to celebrate the intrinsic value of all human life?
He was sent to us on November 20, 2009, born with an extra chromosome and our lives are richer for it...
In His Grip,
Your family is beautiful. And your blog is such great reading! I loved the story of how you came to be in the process for adopting two little boys. There is a book you might be interested in. It's an older novel, but it could be true. I've read it twice, but it's been a while. The premise is that children with DS are closer to God and that Jesus presents Himself to them. There is a specific reason for DS in God's plan. It is a beautiful and complex story. Title is "The Clowns of God".
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