Pacheco

Portsmouth, Rhode Island

My name is Robin and my daughter Bailee (who is now 3) was born with MDS. Unlike several of the stories I have read, she was diagnosed within the first few days of life with MDS and we were fairly certain immediately that she had DS.

The reason I am sharing my story is because there truly are silver linings to every story and Bailee is mine. I had already been blessed with a healthy son (now 19 years) and for 10 years we tried desperately for a little girl. I always pictured a matched set. After so many years of trying my husband and I decided to call it quits. It was on our anniversary the same week that we had this discussion that I discovered I was pregnant. My pregnancy was textbook so there were no warning signs. At the time of delivery she had stopped breathing. They noticed her slight features and the crooked pinky and webbed toes and feared DS. At the time they thought she had heart problems but later found out it was pneumonia. When they placed her at my breast the only thing I knew was that no matter what took place - I could handle it. She was the most beautiful sight to behold and I have never felt the sense of peace that I felt with her in my arms. I didn't cry, nor did I ask why me. I thanked God for my precious baby and my husband merely asked for the strength to accept her - not to take the diagnosis away. From that day forward, my daughter has been a guiding force in all of our lives. She attracts the most wonderful people ( such as yourselves) that we may otherwise never have known. With MDS and DS - there are no certainties as to what our children will achieve. But I am certain of one thing, there is no way that I will ever be able to give to my child what she has already given me. For new parents out there that fear the worst - You are in for a journey that is not always easy but I guarantee you will not be sorry.