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David and Lynn Patterson were shocked when a doctor told them having a child with Down’s syndrome was nobody’s Plan A.
Lynn was still trying to come to terms with the news that her little girl Eilidh had the genetic condition.
She said: “Maybe the paediatrician was thinking the worst thing that could happen was you don’t have this perfect little family but I don’t think anyone has that. Everyone has challenges.
“Our Plan A was to have a family where we all loved one another and that’s exactly what we have.”
The early weeks after having Eilidh were filled with negative information about problems her little girl could develop. But the family’s experience has been positive and Lynn wants to give hope to other families.
Glasgow will host the World Down Syndrome Congress from July 25 to 27, where issues will be addressed such as the negative language sometimes used by health professionals and its impact on parents.
It’s the first time the event has been held in Scotland and more than 1200 families and people with Down’s syndrome will attend the event as well as experts and health professionals from around the world. It’s being hosted by Down’s Syndrome Scotland and it’s hoped bringing people together will improve lives.
David, 40, and Lynn, 43, from Falkirk, who also have a son Rory, eight, had a difficult time when Eilidh was first born. To help him cope, David started a blog called www.downwithdad.com where he could share his thoughts and feelings and help other families.
When Lynn had gone for a nuchal scan when 12 weeks’ pregnant to check for risks of health conditions Eilidh wasn’t in the right position – so it was a complete surprise when she was born with Down’s syndrome.
“I held her only briefly before they took her off to be weighed. I heard them say something and I said, ‘Is everything okay?’ The midwife started talking about signs of Down’s syndrome but she couldn’t tell me for definite and had to get a paediatrician,” explained Lynn.
Read more at: https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/lifestyle/family-kids/family-fight-stigma-around-downs-12837636
