| A vast array of negative emotions and feelings are | | | | society has a set of rules by which to define what is |
| encountered by parents and family members when | | | | considered normal, struggle is naturally encountered in |
| learning of a diagnosis of Down Syndrome. Shock, | | | | order to attempt to rationalize how having a child |
| denial and anger, blame and guilt, sadness and shame | | | | with Down Syndrome could even be possible for |
| are experienced before acceptance. Many parents | | | | them. This is a deep wound that can catapult the |
| openly admit that their level of dismay was | | | | parents into identifying with their Warrior Archetypes. |
| exacerbated by preconceived ideas of family life as | | | | Soon, it is learned that the struggle has a purpose. |
| well as career oriented goals for their child. Their | | | | Tragedy on any level opens a philosophical door to |
| situation is typically viewed as a loss of an ideal life. | | | | seek greater understanding. Existentialism is innately |
| Once the stages of grief are experienced, there is | | | | delved into. It perhaps is possible that in order to |
| acceptance of the loss. It is at this stage of the | | | | cope with the shock that ensues as a result of a |
| grieving process where the new reality is accepted | | | | Down Syndrome diagnosis, one is somewhat forced |
| as the state of normalcy. | | | | to disassociate from their past mores and view life |
| During this profound period, hope is beginning to be | | | | through a new set of eyes for the sake of pure |
| sensed where it would previously had felt | | | | survival. Therein one could argue, is the gift. |
| unattainable. Particularly now is when, as a result of a | | | | The fact that people with Down Syndrome have |
| new state of normalcy, deeper questions are | | | | cognitive impairment can be seen both as a miracle |
| pondered in terms of the meaning of life, and the | | | | and a call for further research. To be clear however |
| renewed sense of spirituality is often encountered. | | | | it needs to be indicated that there are various |
| Ultimately, the forgiveness of self and letting go of | | | | degrees of impairment. The miraculous aspect is that |
| the burden of being responsible for this situation | | | | this population has been given the blessing of |
| unleashes the parents and loved ones of a child with | | | | perceiving their world in a manner of delight and bliss |
| Down Syndrome. This launches them into a condition | | | | while changing the dynamics of the people who love |
| where life is viewed through the eyes of the child | | | | them. In addition, this population generally does not |
| and the beauty of a bond is begun. A new feeling of | | | | have the verbal ability to explain how they view life, |
| wonder is experienced and a lightening of their | | | | therefore we can only deduce this information based |
| previously heavy hearts are experienced in contrast. | | | | upon their behaviors, actions and reactions. |
| The advancement of the soul is undeniable. | | | | In terms of perceiving people with Down Syndrome |
| There is difficulty in the attempt to prove the causal | | | | as a gift from Spirit, improved cognitive therapies for |
| relationship that exists between a person with Down | | | | the sake of their ability to describe and communicate |
| Syndrome and their effect on those surrounding | | | | their perspectives would be advantageous, to the |
| them. The struggle is defined by the very nature of | | | | extent that it did not tamper with the genuineness |
| the scope of concept. No litmus test exists for | | | | of the person while it sought to improve her quality |
| definitive determination. The true answers lie in the | | | | of life. |
| hearts and souls of the people who have been | | | | This enchanting population of people have incredible |
| provided with this gift from Spirit. | | | | volumes to offer in terms of life lessons and |
| Down Syndrome being a chromosomal abnormality is | | | | perspectives. May we all shine brilliantly because of |
| by no means a condition that is desired. Because | | | | their teachings. |