Aidan M

Aidan was born in 2017 via emergency c section when the doctors struggled to find his heartbeat. Shortly after birth the doctors told us that Aidan may have Down Syndrome. I didn't like the doctors choice of words which were "baby has features that don't belong to mum and dad" I was heartbroken and didn't know what the future would hold for my tiny baby. I cried and grieved over the child I thought I'd have but didn't. One thing I knew was I would love him dearly.

His dad was much stronger he kissed his forehead and said it didn't matter. I had so many negative perceptions about down syndrome and the internet was good at telling me all the things he would find hard to or wouldnt do. Aidan struggled with his feeding and at 6 months the doctors decided he needed an Ng tube. At 14 months Aidan is still 90% Ng tube fed.

A year on I wish I could tell myself what I know now. Aidan is the most determined baby I know. At 14 months he's already holding on to furniture and walking. Aidan is a happy boy he loves playing with cuddly toys. He loves his big brother and sister who are his biggest cheerleaders. Often when people hear about his diagnosis they start off with I'm sorry, but there's so much beauty in Down Syndrome. Oftentimes Aidan's beauty takes my breath away, his sparkling almond shaped eyes, a captivating smile that often leads to laughter so infectious that the hardest off hearts will melt in response.

For a long time I wanted to prove to the world that he's just like any other kid but I soon realised that Aidan doesn't have to be like everyone else he can be different and that's ok. After all you can't blend in when you were born to stand out. Let's allow our stereotypical reality to crumble and truly get to know the beautiful person hidden under the label.