When I was pregnant with Moa I felt something wasn’t right. But, I didn’t know that Moa had Down syndrome until she was born. Two hours after delivery the midwife and doctor came in and told us.
It is something I’ll always remember. They came in and told my ex-husband to sit down. I knew they were going to say that she had DS. I felt like the floor opened, and I was sucked in. I looked at Moa and said, “But I love her”. And that was how I coped with it. From that day, she was everything I ever wanted. I never wanted a different child- and that’s the truth. Of course sometimes it was hard, but I just worked through it.
At that time I had a lot of misconceptions about DS. Before Moa was born I didn’t know anybody with DS. I saw people sometimes and thought, I hope I never get a child with disabilities. After she was born, I read about it. The more I read, the more afraid I was for Moa’s future. I realized it’s not good to read about it. I decided to see her here and now. And take every day as it came.
My mom took the news the hardest. It took her a year to hug Moa and say I love you. And from that day forward they were inseparable.
In Sweden DS is treated differently in each municipality. Some parents have to fight for their rights, but most are better. Where we live, I haven’t had to fight for Moa’s rights.
Moa is now 19 years old and has a great life. She and her friends are in theater, and they love the sun and swimming. She loves her school. This year is her last year, and I worry a bit about how it will be for her after.
How has this changed me? Well, my patience is a lot better 😉. I have met so many wonderful people that I never would have met otherwise. She has changed my life for the better in many ways. I can promise you one day you will look at your child and no longer see the disability, you’ll just see the child.