All people with Down syndrome have cognitive delays, but the effect is usually mild to moderate and is not indicative of their skills and talents.
These people can lead successful and fulfilling lives with the support of their family, friends and community, good health care, a stimulating home environment, and high-quality educational programs.
While living with this condition certainly has its challenges, life expectancy for people with Down syndrome has increased dramatically in recent decades, and they can attend work, school, develop meaningful relationships, start a family, and contribute to society in various ways.
Fifteen years ago, a mother from Colorado Springs, Renee, was told that her baby would have no quality of life, being born with Down syndrome.
Doctors advised her to put her baby in an institution, and one medic even suggested her to ‘just give her up for adoption.’
However, this mother did not think twice, as she knew, deep down in her heart, that her daughter, Kennedy, will succeed.
Renee explains:
“The night Kennedy arrived, I was heartbroken to learn she had the condition because I was being fed nothing but a negative, bleak picture painted by doctors and nurses who really had no idea what my child‘s future really held.”
Yet, the next night, another mother restored her faith and hope.
“It was only the next night when a kind midwife told me Kennedy was beautiful and just like her daughter, who also had the condition, that I felt a glimmer of hope.
The first thing I asked was if her daughter could walk because I really didn’t know what having the condition meant, and she just laughed. Her daughter was 16 and of course she could walk.’
A year later, on Kennedy’s first birthday, Renee went to the hospital and left a special care package for new mothers of babies with Down syndrome in the labor ward. The package involved copies of books that had helped her understand this disorder and cute onesies with slogans celebrating their unique babies.
Renee said:
“I left my contact details there and begged the midwives to pass my card on to new mothers of children like Kennedy. Many reached out to me over the years because of that basket and I hope having a positive conversation with me and hearing everything Kennedy has achieved, saved those moms from the unnecessary trauma and anguish I went through.”
Nowadays, Kennedy is a successful young model with Down syndrome, working for top brands in the U.S. She has competed in state-wide dance competitions and she even overcame leukemia with fascinating bravery.
Her mother said:
“Kennedy tolerated hospitalization and medical procedures well, never failing to smile. During her recovery in the halo, she spent a lot of time watching dance videos and as soon as she was well enough, I took Kennedy to her first dance class.”
Kennedy is just like any other girl her age now. She dances, she has friends, and she likes going to the cinema with her boyfriend Matthew, who also has Down syndrome.
Kennedy recalled:
‘He came straight over, handed Kennedy his mobile and said, “I think my phone’s broken because it’s missing your number.”
Kennedy often flies to New York and Hollywood to audition and participate in modeling jobs. She has modeled for American Girl, Disney, and Justice Clothing and is signed with KMR Diversity and Dream Talent Management.
She is very close to her siblings Kassidy, 20, Kameron, 18, and Keegan, 12, and her mother said:
“She has brought so much joy and laughter into our lives and has grown into a gorgeous, funny young woman with the world at her feet.”
Renee is incredibly proud of her daughter but feels sad about the misconception of the doctors when she gave birth to Kennedy.
“It’s shocking how misinformed they all were, and it was only 15 years ago. I feel sad that I wasted time grieving for moments like prom dress shopping as I really had been led to believe none of the normal milestones would be reached.”
The mother and daughter often tour around schools to teach children of all ages about Down syndrome, and how to support people who have it.
Renee said:
“The fact that these teachers and schools are even giving her the opportunity to come in and speak shows how much progress has been made in recent years.”
She went on:
“Kennedy is pretty much accepted wherever we go. Most of all they see that she is a pretty typical teen who loves to text her friends, hang out at the mall, make videos on Tik Tok and talk about boys.
I just want her to be happy with wherever her life takes her. I have no doubt she will continue to grow into an independent, strong, amazing adult whether she is acting, modeling, going to college, public speaking or finds her passion elsewhere in the workplace. I just hope she continues to live her best life no matter what.”
Sources:
www.dailymail.co.uk
www.thesun.co.uk
metro.co.uk
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