Learning to live in a balanced way, to know enough so as not to exclude ourselves in the attempt to include our children, and to take the first step even without certainty of the destination, is one of the most liberating experiences. Because when we are capable of understanding that what truly matters is what is happening today, right now, and that tomorrow will be a manifestation of today, and in the unexpected experiences of today, we will find the tools for tomorrow, everything becomes easier.
We are all influenced, whether we admit it or not, and on this journey of raising children with Down syndrome or any other diagnosis, the world around us exerts an influence that can fill us with unnecessary and absurd pressure, making us believe that if we don’t try all the methods, therapies, or attend all the events and conferences and follow all the accounts saturated with related hashtags, we are not good enough or we are missing out on learning something magical or miraculous that will define our children’s future all at once.
We feel that we have to know everything about the condition and diagnosis to avoid any possible misstep, and we overload ourselves with information that instead of giving us peace of mind, fills us with anguish. And often motivation turns into anxiety. And anxiety turns into dissatisfaction when we discover that the challenges are real and that not everything is just a mindset, as promised by motivational posters on social media.
As someone who has lived it firsthand, I assure you that it’s not necessary. It’s not necessary to attend all the events and conferences, it’s not necessary to know everything, it’s not necessary to put pressure on ourselves trying to control everything. In real life, and if all goes well, they will end up writing their own story with their own abilities and interests, and like with any child, we will learn step by step along the way. And there will be difficult days, but the rest will be happy with God’s guidance.
