Pine Brook, New Jersey
Hi, My name is Jeanne I am 42 years old. I did not know my daughter had down syndrome before she was born. I had an amnio done which came back negative. Later I was told it was because of the Mosaic. When she was born the doctors thought she looked DS but since my amnio was negative they didn't check further.
For the next month I sensed something different about her. She wasn't like my older two children, when they were babies. At her first month check up I told her doctor that I thought there was something wrong with her. That is when she told me they had thought she had Down Syndrome but because of the amnio didn't check. She then sent us to a geneticist. They did a blood test on her and found the MDS with 70% of her cells normal and 30% affected. I have to say it took my by surprise. I also didn't know anything about Down Syndrome. I remember thinking that she won't grow up like my other children, that she will never marry and have kids of her own. I was a little bit in shock.
A little history, my husband left me when I was six months pregnant with Christine. So most of all her tests and all her early intervention and anything I had do concerning her I did myself. Having her was what saved me from falling apart when he left. I had her to think about and my other two children.
Now that she is older I feel alot better about her future. I can see the things she can do. She has just started kindergarten and it is a challange for her. I find that I need to have a lot more patience with her and just take one day at a time. Sometimes this is hard to to. She is my angel and I thank God everyday for her. She had taught me alot and made me look at life and people alot differently. Everyday is a new challange in raising her.
I also must mention my older two children, my son Nicky is 11 and just started middle school, and my daughter Danielle is 10 and Christine's helper in school. They attend the same school. My children are a big help with Christine. And I know they are better for having a sister like Christine.
A little history, my husband left me when I was six months pregnant with Christine. So most of all her tests and all her early intervention and anything I had do concerning her I did myself. Having her was what saved me from falling apart when he left. I had her to think about and my other two children.
Now that she is older I feel alot better about her future. I can see the things she can do. She has just started kindergarten and it is a challange for her. I find that I need to have a lot more patience with her and just take one day at a time. Sometimes this is hard to to. She is my angel and I thank God everyday for her. She had taught me alot and made me look at life and people alot differently. Everyday is a new challange in raising her.
I also must mention my older two children, my son Nicky is 11 and just started middle school, and my daughter Danielle is 10 and Christine's helper in school. They attend the same school. My children are a big help with Christine. And I know they are better for having a sister like Christine.