by Whitney Barthel posted in Parenting

Hello there former me, from the future me.
I know you're working hard right now researching PhD programs in neuroscience. I know you're envisioning a life of upper-level teaching and research, single and childless. Buuuut, very shortly you will meet a man, get married, and have several children -- one of them  will have Down syndrome.

*My family.
 I know, I know, it sounds terrifying. It isn?t fair and isn?t the life you signed up for. But, let me tell you this, you will be fine -- more than fine. Before you protest, hear me out?
You will become friends with some truly amazing people who really know you. You will learn the true meaning of patience, how to celebrate the small things in life, and how to see beauty in every situation. You will come to understand that being a good person isn?t doing the good or right thing for praise, but doing it when no one else is looking. And, learning to see this difference will help you to quickly distinguish the true hearts of others.
All of these things (along with many others) thanks to the Down syndrome world will make you a better mother, perhaps even a better person.
Sadly, I must say, it won?t always be easy. You will have days when you hate Down syndrome. And, sometimes pangs of regret for the life you thought you were supposed to have. Those will pass. You will have a delicious afternoon of the kids peacefully playing at the park while you sip wine from your coffee mug and everything w...