A Down Syndrome Blessing
(By Rob & Shannon McLeod)
While my wife, Shannon, was pregnant in the fall of 2018, a routine ultrasound at 20 weeks did not go as planned. The technician said it was extremely difficult to get the proper images of our baby, so the ultrasound department might call us back. When the doctor’s office phoned a few days later to say they had scheduled a fetal assessment, my wife asked if everything was okay. The secretary explained that they wanted more images, so our concern decreased as we figured further testing was needed to complete what was missed on the ultrasound.
A week later Shannon went for the fetal assessment. The nurse informed her that she would repeat the ultrasound because they had found two markers for Down syndrome. (Down syndrome is a genetic condition where the child is born with an extra copy of the 21st chromosome. This extra copy is associated with delays in the child’s mental and physical development, as well as an increased risk for health problems and shortened lifespans.) When the test was finished the nurse told my wife, “I need to call the doctor in because there are things not seen on the previous ultrasound.” The doctor entered the room and explained that our baby’s abdomen was filling with fluid and that there was fluid around his heart. It could potentially be life threatening, and it could mean that our baby might have this disability.
It was a difficult time for us. We told our children the news, not knowing what the future would hold for our little one. The next months were filled with fetal assessments which revealed more indicators that our baby had Down syndrome. We were informed by one doctor that abortion would be a reasonable option as our child would be delayed and disabled. But we were so thankful to realize that God is the giver of all life; having an abortion would not even be considered. Scripture says: “Who has made man’s mouth? Or who makes the mute, the deaf, the seeing, or the blind? Have not I, the LORD?” (Exodus 4:11) The Lord was knitting this little one together in Shannon’s womb and we would completely trust Him with this pregnancy.
Early in the morning on February 7, 2019, at 39 ½ weeks pregnant, we went in for the final fetal assessment. We had our bags packed because we were told that this might be the day! Indeed, our doctor confirmed that our baby would need to be delivered because conditions were beginning to deteriorate. At 6:38 PM that evening ‘Timothy River McLeod’ entered into the world!
We were told that we may not know for a few days if our baby had Down syndrome, but as soon as we saw our son we knew that he did. Timothy was taken to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) and that would be his first home for almost a month. After Timothy was settled, the nurse brought us over to the NICU to spend time with our child. Shannon felt especially overwhelmed and I was definitely emotional as well. Although we knew for months that our baby might have this disability, it was still such a shock to see this in person. Later that evening one of the nurses from the delivery room came and prayed with Shannon. This was an unexpected blessing from the Lord. It was such an encouragement to see that the Lord has His people everywhere!
For two days after Timothy was born Shannon remained in the hospital. At some point during that time she was able to sincerely say, “Thank you, Lord, for our son Timothy!” At that very moment all the heaviness and feelings of being completely overwhelmed left her and to this day have not returned. The Lord completely filled her with joy and a love for Timothy that she hadn’t dreamed of as possible. I was on and off quite emotional and teary for several weeks as I contemplated the high probability that our son would never likely achieve many of the things that most young men eventually desire: a driver’s license, graduation, marriage, and so on. The Lord slowly showed me during this season that the best thing a child can accomplish is to simply be in the centre of His will. That will provide the ultimate blessing and satisfaction in life!
Timothy has brought so much happiness to our home. It is such a joy to watch how much our children love him and care for him. We have also been highly encouraged to see how much joy Timothy brings to other friends, relatives, and people in our local church. Although Timothy doesn’t quite see it, he has a true ministry of encouragement and his simple joy spreads to everyone he meets. It is truly sad to see that society generally views a child with Down syndrome as a life to be discarded. A quick online search shows that abortion rates for pregnancies diagnosed with Down syndrome is very high, ranging from 67 percent to 85 percent in the USA. Other countries, for which abortion statistics are available, record an even higher abortion rate for Down syndrome pregnancies. For example, in Denmark at least 95 percent of Down syndrome pregnancies are ended.
Truly all human life is precious and worthy of thanksgiving. 1 Thessalonians 5:18 says: “In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”
