Farmingville, New York
My name is Maryann Grillo and my daughter Christine has MDS. Our story began 18 weeks into my pregnancy with Christine. The doctor called and in a very somber voice told me that my AFP blood test was low and that I needed an ultrasound and to see a genetic counselor immediately. I had to ask what a low AFP meant, and she told me it could be down syndrome or some other chromosomal abnormality.
This all took me by surprise since I was only 33 years old, and with no family history of down syndrome, there was no reason to believe this could happen. The ultrasound technician told me the baby look perfect and that she was a girl. Christine became real to me and right there and then I made a promise to her that I would love and protect her no matter what. The visit with the geneticist was rather grim. He told me when he factored the results of the AFP with my age the odds were 1 in 21 that my baby had down syndrome. He also asked me how easy it was for me to get pregnant "since these odds were only for this pregnancy and you really wouldn't want down syndrome". We decided to have the amnio and in my heart I knew what the results would be.
After two agonizing weeks the phone call came and we were told the results were somewhat abnormal and once again we were back in the genetic counselor's office. Luckily, this time it was a different doctor. Christine's amnio showed 48% of her cells had the extra chromosome. The genetic counselor, though she explained what down syndrome involves was very positive and tried to instill hope in us that because Christine was mosaic she would be higher functioning. There is no greater devastation than being told there is something wrong with your unborn baby and being asked what would you like to do about this pregnancy?
I had promised my unborn child that I would love her and take care of her and then I experienced a gripping terror. How was I going to do this? Would she be happy? Would I ever be happy again and was I going to cry every time I saw her? Did I make the right decision or maybe another option would be better.
While I was wrestling with these questions, my husband and I went to visit a school for children with down syndrome. I didn't want to get out of the car because I couldn't imagine what we were going to see. What we saw were children playing, laughing and learning. One little boy came and took my hand and looked right into my eyes and I knew I had made the right decision.
My daughter is now six year old. I don't cry when I look at her, instead I am filled with love for her and pride in all she has accomplished. Christine is a very happy child who is just like any other six year old. Her delays have been very mild with her biggest weakness in speech and language. She is in a regular education first grade class and is doing very well. She loves to "dress up" and play with her Barbie dolls and goes to gymnastics, dancing school and Brownies. The reality of life with down syndrome is not nearly as bad as anything that is imagined. I am very thankful to have my daughter in my life because she has taught me many valuable lessons and the true meaning of unconditional love.
After two agonizing weeks the phone call came and we were told the results were somewhat abnormal and once again we were back in the genetic counselor's office. Luckily, this time it was a different doctor. Christine's amnio showed 48% of her cells had the extra chromosome. The genetic counselor, though she explained what down syndrome involves was very positive and tried to instill hope in us that because Christine was mosaic she would be higher functioning. There is no greater devastation than being told there is something wrong with your unborn baby and being asked what would you like to do about this pregnancy?
I had promised my unborn child that I would love her and take care of her and then I experienced a gripping terror. How was I going to do this? Would she be happy? Would I ever be happy again and was I going to cry every time I saw her? Did I make the right decision or maybe another option would be better.
While I was wrestling with these questions, my husband and I went to visit a school for children with down syndrome. I didn't want to get out of the car because I couldn't imagine what we were going to see. What we saw were children playing, laughing and learning. One little boy came and took my hand and looked right into my eyes and I knew I had made the right decision.
My daughter is now six year old. I don't cry when I look at her, instead I am filled with love for her and pride in all she has accomplished. Christine is a very happy child who is just like any other six year old. Her delays have been very mild with her biggest weakness in speech and language. She is in a regular education first grade class and is doing very well. She loves to "dress up" and play with her Barbie dolls and goes to gymnastics, dancing school and Brownies. The reality of life with down syndrome is not nearly as bad as anything that is imagined. I am very thankful to have my daughter in my life because she has taught me many valuable lessons and the true meaning of unconditional love.
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