One Mum Opens Up About Diagnosis, Hope And Finding The Abilities In Her Boy With Down Syndrome

marks World Down Syndrome Day. While most of us will be aware of the genetic condition, one mum working with the Down Syndrome Centre shares her experience of diagnosis.

Triona Cussen is mum to 3 year old Joshua. Joshua is the youngest of four boys and was born to Triona and Pat on 5While Triona feels that they had a fairly positive experience she notes there is definite room for improvement. Here she reflects on her initial reactions, how she views them now and what she wishes she had been told at the time.Luckily for me and my husband we had a fairly positive experience. It was only three years ago so the details are still very clear in my mind.

I remember as soon as Joshua was born and was placed on me, I knew something wasn’t right. Yet I still clung on for hope. I warily asked my husband if everything was alright. I fully expected him to say – of course. When he said “I don’t know” that was the first time I felt my heart drop to my feet. He would never say that unless there was something wrong. When the midwives and doctor took Joshua over to the table a few feet away to examine him, I was afraid to look over.

After what felt like a very long time but I am sure it wasn’t they came over. They asked us did we notice anything different. They said there were a few features they saw in our baby that lead them to believe he might have Down syndrome. My husband remembers the doctors listing off all the possible health implications he bizarrely must have thought it was helpful to know at that time that adults with Down syndrome age quicker than typical adults.

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