Indiana, Pennsylvania
I was 23 years old when I became pregnant, and 24 years when Cody was born. I had all the prenatal testing and everything showed to be "normal". Cody was born 10/02/95 full term by c-section. I had a spinal block so I was awake when He was born, I thought Cody looked "retarded" like some kids I had gone to school with, but my husband thought he looked fine, so I put my thought on the back burner.
Then about 8 hours later the pediatrician came in and said she suspected down syndrome. So the testing began, with the first sample of blood he was "normal", the second test showed down syndrome and the third and final test showed 94% trisomy 21 and 6% normal cells. The pediatrician suggested skin cells be tested but I didn't want to subject Cody to anymore pain, and four years later I still am not contemplating this test as what will the test mean really? It's only a number and I know Cody is special in some areas, and I know he is all boy and like any other child in many areas. Cody also had ASD which healed on it's own (2holes closed due to many prayers), that is very rare for the holes to heal without surgery.
Cody is in preschool. He is very busy. He is about 1 year behind in most areas, but he is very happy at school and fits in with all the other "normal" children. Cody is 34 inches tall and weighs about 25 pounds. The teachers feel his delays are due mostly due to his smallness, except for speech. Cody also has tubes in both ears and since the tubes have been put in 4 mos. ago his speech is only about 18 months behind, which is his most serious delay.
When Cody was first born, life looked and sounded to be very bleak, but nobody has treated him any different from my daughter, and I believe that is the key to have the most "normal" child you can. Some advice DON'T EVER feel sorry for these kids. They are NOT too different from any other child, but what two children are alike anyway? Cody is a joy, he is a little devil sometimes too. He is not always happy, but he is easy going. He gets mad, happy, sad etc... He shows the appropriate emotion at all times and to this day, my parents and his great-grandmother deny anything to be "wrong" with Cody, which I'm sure most parents also feel this way about their child as well. I know I do. Sorry this was so long, but I could talk about either of my children all day long, and still not express all their marvels and talents. Sincerely, Jamie Dailey.
Cody is in preschool. He is very busy. He is about 1 year behind in most areas, but he is very happy at school and fits in with all the other "normal" children. Cody is 34 inches tall and weighs about 25 pounds. The teachers feel his delays are due mostly due to his smallness, except for speech. Cody also has tubes in both ears and since the tubes have been put in 4 mos. ago his speech is only about 18 months behind, which is his most serious delay.
When Cody was first born, life looked and sounded to be very bleak, but nobody has treated him any different from my daughter, and I believe that is the key to have the most "normal" child you can. Some advice DON'T EVER feel sorry for these kids. They are NOT too different from any other child, but what two children are alike anyway? Cody is a joy, he is a little devil sometimes too. He is not always happy, but he is easy going. He gets mad, happy, sad etc... He shows the appropriate emotion at all times and to this day, my parents and his great-grandmother deny anything to be "wrong" with Cody, which I'm sure most parents also feel this way about their child as well. I know I do. Sorry this was so long, but I could talk about either of my children all day long, and still not express all their marvels and talents. Sincerely, Jamie Dailey.
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