As a parent, there is nothing more special and precious than your child. For our family, our beloved son Steven, born on December the 7th, with Down Syndrome has brought an extra level of love, joy, and unique experiences into our lives. We feel truly blessed to have him in our lives and wouldn't have it any other way.
Down Syndrome, also known as trisomy 21, is a genetic disorder caused by an extra copy of the 21st chromosome. This extra genetic material can cause a variety of physical and intellectual challenges, but it is important to remember that every person with Down Syndrome is unique and should not be defined by their diagnosis.
During the pregnancy, we went through genetic testing, the first one was perfect. However, during the second genetic test, the doctors discovered that Steven has a condition called the right aortic arch. Although we were offered additional tests, we decided not to pursue them, as we wanted to embrace our son just as he is.
We had a beautiful delivery with Steven, and it all went so smoothly. We were overjoyed to have the opportunity to bond with him in those early hours. However, we later learned that he had a condition called lung hypertension which led to his hospitalization in an incubator. Despite this setback, Steven was able to stabilize and eventually was released to a room with his mother Lenka. This was a challenging time for us, but we remained hopeful and continued to pray.
It was during this time that we received the news about Steven's Down Syndrome diagnosis and the connection to his right aortic arch. Despite this, we have always treated him just like any other child and have never let his diagnosis hold him back. He is a happy and loving child who brings so much joy to our lives. We are determined to give him the best life possible and have always sought out resources and support to help him reach his full potential.
Our son has taught us to slow down, be patient, and to never give up. He has also taught us to be more compassionate and understanding toward others. He has shown us the beauty of life, and we are grateful for every single moment we spend with him. Our son Steven with Down Syndrome is truly a gift from God, and we are so proud of the person he is becoming and can't wait to see all the amazing things he will accomplish in the future.
Lenka & Marek
♥