Beau’s life had always been full of joy and love, as girls surrounded him; all his favorites. He had his wife, two daughters, and a dog in the house. Thus, he was excited when he got the news that they would soon welcome a baby boy. He spent his days thinking about how he would spend his time playing with the baby boy and would take him fishing. Not just this, but Daddy was ready to cheer from the sidelines at his games!
Beau was excited about how the baby would be named after him and be a mini version who would carry his legacy forward. Everything went smoothly until the baby was welcomed into this world. It was a joyful day, and the delivery went smoothly too. Hearing his cries and seeing the nurse take him to the nursery after taking a quick glimpse was the highlight of the day.
However, things went off when the nurse told Beau how the baby had a floppy face, and his tone was different too, upon which Beau’s mother asked if the baby had Down syndrome.
Beau went through a roller coaster of emotions thinking of the consequences. After a few hours, the doctors entered the room and confirmed the news of the baby, Spencer, having Down syndrome. At that moment, it felt like all that he had dreamt of all these months went in vain; thus, Beau broke down after hearing the news. He cried for ten whole hours!
Beau went through such an intense wave of grief and disappointment that he didn’t want to see, touch, or even accept the baby.
He dreamed of having a baby boy and living the life he had envisioned with him all this time. The guilt of not fulfilling all those dreams took over until one of Beau’s friends reached out to him.
The friend also had a son diagnosed with Down syndrome at birth, and he reached out to Beau to specifically tell him how beautiful the journey would be. He said he should not mourn the birth of the child, but instead celebrate and cherish it, as God chose him to give him the baby. Although all Beau’s thoughts lately made him go through waves of guilt, it was all he needed to hear. Beau needed comfort through words!
That night, after his friend left, Beau was ready to meet his baby. The moment he held him properly for the first time, he realized that no matter the problem, Spencer was his son at the end of the day, and Beau’s love for him was unmatched.
It was that day that Beau’s perspective of having a child with Down syndrome changed, and Spencer brought immense joy and strength into his life. Not only this, but every time Beau gets a chance, he becomes an advocate for the Down Syndrome community.
Beau also wrote a heartfelt apology to Spencer for the first 12 hours he did not see him and for being unable to accept him fully. However, Beau is sure he will never limit himself and fulfill all he ever dreamed of.
