When I found out

When I found out that I was pregnant with DJ, my oldest child was 7 months old.  DJ was a welcomed surprise.  You see, I always wanted to have 3 kids and have them close in age.  My brother and I are 16 months apart and I loved the fact that we were so close . . . well, at times, LOL.  To have children close in age sounded like it would be a fun idea.  The pregnancy was going great.   In my 17th week, I was given the triple screen test.  It was with that test that my obstetrician knew that something was not right. 

 I was originally told that DJ may have Down Syndrome.  The doctor’s office called to ask if I wanted to abort the pregnancy.  Our answer was, “No!”  No matter what condition DJ would be born with, I was keeping him and will figure everything else out as I go along.  I was determined not to give up on my unborn child.   I prayed that DJ would not be like his sister who was totally hyperactive and had me running.  I prayed for a calm child.  God, thankfully, answered my prayers.

When DJ was born, he had extra digits, underdeveloped toenails, and a minor cleft lip.  There was no sign of Down Syndrome but the blood work indicated that a piece of two of his chromosomes broke off and reattached themselves to the opposite chromosomes.  DJ’s diagnosis was “balanced translocation.”  The doctors could not tell me what would happen moving forward and that we would all have to wait and see.

When DJ was 2 ½ years old, he was in an early intervention program because he was not talking like the other children his age.  I honestly blamed his big sister because she talked so much for herself and for DJ.  It was during the early intervention evaluation that I was told that DJ was developmentally and speech delayed.  So now, at the age of 14, DJ is non-verbal; he does not read; and is starting to write his own sentences. 

Having a child with special needs can be difficult.  There is frustration on both ends.   However, DJ has taught me to be the best me.  He shows me how to be excited about the little things in life.  When DJ says a new word or does something that he could not do before, I am overcome with joy.  Those seemingly little things mean so much.

If you have a child with special needs, you take things day-by-day.  Just know that you are your child’s advocate and know what is best for them.      

Welcome to my blog . . . My Life With DJ!