When Reid was first born the question of "Will Reid be able to drive?" never even entered into my thoughts...not on my own that is....however, I can vividly remember our first visit with the geneticist when Reid was JUST 2 DAYS OLD...and she asked us what we knew about Down syndrome. Quite honestly we had to share that we didn't know much...so she went on to give us the clinical description and expectations...as I sat listening, trying to hold back the flood of tears waiting to dispel uncontrollably at any moment...the trigger words were unleashed, and as if being kicked in the stomach I heard her say..."and Reid won't drive a car...he will most likely use bus transportation, or ride a bike, or he will rely on a family member to drive him places". That was it, I fell apart...I had just heard that my child would have mild to moderate mental retardation and now...that he wouldn't ever have the capability to drive a car. Ughhhhh....really now, did I really need to hear that when he was just 2 days old? I remember going back to my hospital room, clutching my pillow and just crying and crying until I couldn't cry anymore. Later that evening I spoke with my dad on the phone and shared with him what the geneticist had said and he in turn had a story to share with me that he had heard earlier that day from a client of his...a story of a couple with Down syndrome living in his area who had met, married, had jobs, and the husband actually had his driver's license and HE drove the two of them around town...no buses and no bikes, unless they wanted to use them.
Where oh where are THOSE kinds of stories that a geneticist can pull out of his/her bag of knowledge when your baby is only 2 days old and you need more than anything to hear words of encouragement??? Well...here is one of those such stories...Kelly thank you for sharing with us your amazing victories and inspiring life!
**Make sure to pause my music at the bottom before viewing the video. :)
