A mother of a child with Down’s syndrome has shared how she and her husband came to embrace the diagnosis despite initially struggling with it.
Together for 12 years, Amy and Chris Joy from California married seven years ago but waited before trying for children as they wanted to save money so Amy would be able to give up her job as an elementary school teacher to be a full-time stay-at-home mom.
‘When it came time to start a family, it didn’t come easily. After years of trying, many doctors, starting the adoption process, adding our rescue dog Ozzie to the family, countless prayers, acupuncture, chiropractors, our last embryo actually took,’ Amy shared on her Instagram page.
Joyful: Amy and Chris Joy from California have revealed how they initially struggled when they found out their daughter Emerson, who was conceived through IVF, had Down’s syndrome
Early bird: The couple welcomed their daughter six weeks early on July 21st 2016 and and she spent 19 days in the NICU
Long journey: Starting a family didn’t come easy for the family and they tried many doctors, acupuncture, chiropractors and even considered adoption before trying IVF
‘We found out 20 weeks into the pregnancy that our baby would be born with a little extra and then found out our baby is a girl. We did not take the news of her Down syndrome well. We cried more tears than I care to remember,’ she admitted.
Amy also shared that she thought the diagnosis meant their ‘lives were over’ and that they would never be a ‘normal family again’.
Down syndrome is a genetic disorder caused when abnormal cell division results in extra genetic material from chromosome 21.
Many children with Down syndrome are also born with heart, intestine, ear, or breathing problems.
However, although offered a termination by doctors, the couple had no doubts about proceeding with the pregnancy and Emerson’s arrival six weeks early on July 21, 2016 has brought immeasurable joy to their lives.
‘Despite a few small medical challenges she has been rocking this thing called life,’ Amy shared.
Despite spending 19 days in the NICU before being allowed to go home and needing around the clock oxygen for the first nine months of her life, Amy added that Emerson or Emmy as she’s known, has never let her disability get in her way despite continuing to suffer from sleep apnea.
‘She is the most joyful and hardworking person I know. Watching someone work so hard for the things we take for granted makes you a better and more appreciative person. This is our journey in raising the most incredible human. We truly are #theluckyfew’.
Side effects: Emerson or Emmy as she’s known, needed around the clock oxygen for the first nine months of her life and also suffers from sleep apnea
Unconditional love: Amy shared that although she was offered a termination at her 20 week scan when the couple received the diagnosis, that was never an option for them
Informative: The Joys want to educate and inspire others about Down’s syndrome through Amy’s Instagram page
Heart breaker: Amy added that she wants the world to know that Emmy has ‘so much to offer’
Amy also shared how a year before Emmy’s birth, she took a screenshot on her phone of an online article about a couple with Down’s syndrome getting married and believes Emmy has been brought into their lives for a reason.
She explained: ‘I don’t remember why but I did. I remember reading the article but why I wanted to save it is a mystery. This was almost one year to the day before Emmy’s due date. God was preparing me the whole time to be the mother of our amazing Emerson.’
And she now hopes to inform and inspire others about Down’s syndrome, and shed some light on the condition through her Instagram page.
‘Once Emerson was here I realized life is more than good and I wanted to share that with the world. I have already received several messages from pregnant women who enjoy seeing how Emmy is doing as it encourages them during a nerve racking pregnancy,’ she said.
‘The main reason I post is because so many people have the wrong impression about DS as I once did. I want everyone to know that she is just as worthy of life as any person and she has so much to offer this world. #equality I want to shout her worth from the rooftops until every human sees her the way I do.’