Showing Love To Children With Down Sydrome

Hello Hivian Mothers!!! It is my first time in the motherhood community. I hope I am welcome.

The story I am about to relate to you is my true life story but before I move on, I have a question for you.

"Do you know that children with Down syndrome show great love and affection to many that show them love?". Do you have a child with down syndrome? How are you coping with him/her? Are you finding the situation enjoyable or stressful?

I believe at the end of my story you will either love them or work more on your attitude toward children with down syndrome.

Talking about children with down syndrome. I have one in my family and I want to happily share my experience of being a mother of a boy with down syndrome.

It all started on Monday during a 3days indoor revival. I was in the service on the first day, sitting in the front when I felt a sharp pain in the lower abdomen. I thought it was a normal pain as I do feel these sometimes, but little did I know that the pain will keep on and last for 29hrs.

After the sharp pain, the water busted and I discovered I was in labor. I was quickly rushed to the hospital with the help of a Church member that came with his car. When we got to the hospital the midwife ran some checks on me, but to my surprise, she said I should start exercising for easy delivery.

I moved around the hospital severally, but still, the midwife insisted I should continue the exercise. During the exercise period, the contraction was 5mins intervals. I told my pastor's wife that went with me that I wasn't doing any exercise again and that the pain is increasing and unbearable. I asked her to tell the midwife to help me with drip or injection to fasten the labor, but the midwife chided us saying she would start when she sees the head of the baby. It was 11 p.m. when I started feeling cold from my feet which I told my pastor's wife. She went ahead to inform the midwife. The midwife gave me a tablet that I should drink.

After taking the tablet the contraction ceased and went back to 30mins intervals. I complained to my pastor's wife and she informed the midwife again but she didn't say anything. I spent the night without delivering the baby. When the pain seemed unbearable, I made a call to another midwife that I know but unfortunately, she said she is not around, but I was directed to another hospital.

When we got to the hospital, the doctor did some check up on me and asked what happened and I explained to him. He ordered the theater to be set when the baby's head is almost out. I touch the baby's head and the doctor said the baby must not stay too long in that position. The doctor and the midwife tried their best and I delivered a baby boy that weigh 5kg at exactly 11 p.m. on Tuesday 13th of August 2013.

The baby's sickness
On Wednesday morning, 14th August 2013. I was breastfeeding him when he gave a strange sound and screamed then he stopped sucking and started crying. I called the attention of the nurse because we were the only ones in the ward. He cried both day and night despite all the medications and it lasted for 4 days.

On the 4th day, we were referred to the Massey children's hospital on the island. There are many children with such cases there, so I was told. My husband and I spent 2 weeks in Massey where we met a lot of doctors which explains why my boy feels the way he did. I was made to understand that the stress he passed through during birth resulted in the illness. It was in the hospital we named him Israel.**##

** Stages of growth**

After we left the hospital Israel kept growing. He started sitting at 6 months old. One day I took him to the health center because he was ill and when the female doctor saw him she began to ask about his birth and stages of growth, which I explained to her. She asked me to take him back to the Massey hospital and where I will get more information about the boy.

When I got to the Massey hospital the doctor I met (cos there are many doctors over there) told me everything about Israel and that his growth and development will not be like other children but he will surely pass through all the stages and only that... He was going to be slow. The doctor asked me to look at his head, then I discovered he is only growing in the body and face but the head is like a day baby's head. The doctor made me understand that children with down syndrome always look alike. The news got me broken, but he is my son. My husband and I had to start going for checkups in the Massey hospital where several tests were done on him. Israel started walking when he was 1 year and 8 months, close to 2 years.

Relationship with people.

It was heartbreaking seeing many people not wanting to relate with him. Some don't even want him around them, but I loved him nonetheless.

There was a day his father was very annoyed with him because of his naughty attitude and, to be honest, Israel can be very annoying. I called the father and pleaded with him that he should be patient with him and I also told him that we need to show him more love than anyone to get the best out of him. There were times I felt the need to beat the daylight out of him because of his attitude, but when I remembered his condition, I let him be.

A lot of people don't know that the more you show down syndrome children love the more they love you. There was a woman on my street that always shows him love and anywhere he sees her, he will always run to her. People keep wondering about how he is always talking and relating well with the woman because he doesn't talk with people, but he plays with his peer group.

Education and skill*

Israel will be 10 on his next birthday and he is in the nursery, and I know he's learning. He loves to play football and has a great passion for drumming. Israel can use anything as a drum. Once he gets hold of anything that looks like a stick he is good to go. He has a drum pad at home for practicing his drumming skills. He always shows love to people that show him, love.

You should know that children with Down syndrome take things easy, one step at a time.

My family and I love my boy and always show him the love he deserves.

My question to you;

Do you love children with Down syndrome or others you see outside?

All images used are mine.