Community

The first anniversary of our prenatal diagnosis has just slipped quietly past us, with nothing more than gentle acknowledgement of how far we have journeyed in the past year. I think it’s still a little early, a little raw, to be thinking back too much, so a gentle acknowledgement and gratitude for the beautiful youngest boy in our lives seems sufficient at this one year mark.

After Nicholas’ diagnosis, I may have felt alone at times but I knew that I wasn’t really. As I have said many times before, I am so thankful for all the parents and carers who have gone before us, who have pioneered to make this journey a little easier. And we have benefitted not just from the support of our family and friends, or the wonderful ‘friends of friends’ we have met along the way, or even the local Down syndrome association. This web stretches far and wide to an international community of people reaching out to new parents like us – the forums, the blogs, the social media… it truly is a ‘world wide web’.

As well as the large number of families who allowed us a glimpse into their worlds and shared their beautiful kids with us via personal blogs, I want to mention two organisations that were instrumental in getting me through some dark moments. Through the Babycenter Down syndrome pregnancy forum, I met some amazing women who are dedicated to supporting those of us who had a prenatal diagnosis or those who’d been told they had an increased chance and are waiting until birth to find out. The Down syndrome Pregnancy organisation was formed by some of these mothers and provides invaluable support through resources such as the downloadable e-book. Another organisation is the International Down Syndrome Coalition (IDSC for Life), promoting the message that ‘all life is precious’. I am thankful for their dedication in helping us see the light (or at least help us believe that eventually it would return) in a very tumultuous time in our lives.

Over the past week, I have been so honoured that very-gorgeous Nicholas and this here Mummalove blog have received mentions from two wonderful bloggers – the amazing mum of soon-to-be-eleven (!), Patti Rice at A Perfect Lily, and the ever-entertaining Angie at The Little Mumma. Thank you both so much for sharing the love x

It is my hope that in sharing our story here at Mummalove, we further build this community and make the journey for future-parents-of-chromosome-enhanced-superkids a little easier too. Thank YOU for being here.

{giveaway#1} is now completed! Thank you to everyone who commented… those were some pretty good odds for winning, I must say 😉 A big congratulations to aysjaysandayches for her winning entry. The beautiful ‘Bloom’ book by Kelle Hampton and gorgeous little cosmetic purse courtesy of Handmade by Helena will soon be on its way to you!