You know the saying, “Here goes nothing”? For us, it was the opposite here goes everything.
Six months ago, our lives changed forever when we welcomed our beautiful baby boy, Cru Ledger. His arrival was unexpected and perfect all at once.
At 20 weeks, we had done genetic testing, but only to check health not to learn the gender. Everything came back fine. On the day Cru was born, Sean and I were beyond excited to meet our baby.
We didn’t know if it was a boy or girl, but deep down, we both hoped for a boy. When the doctor told Sean to announce the gender, he looked at me with the biggest smile and said, “It’s a boy, Sonny!” I’ll never forget that moment.
Tears of happiness rolled down my face. Something in me just didn’t feel right, even if I couldn’t explain it. Cru’s birthday was filled with love. We’d chosen his name years ago. Our families visited, and the room was full of joy.
Yet, in a quiet moment, I turned to my sister and whispered, “I feel like he has Down syndrome.” Her response was simple and beautiful “If he does, who cares? He’s perfect.” The next day, a pediatrician examined Cru and confirmed my gut feeling.
We agreed to do the tests. The pain was heavy, but Sean helped me stay strong. When we got home, the call came.
Sean stepped into the dining room to answer. I heard him crying something he rarely does. I handed Cru to my sister and walked to him. He told me the news, and I quietly nodded I already knew in my heart.
The days after were filled with support from our family and close friends. Still, guilt weighed on me. I asked myself over and over what I did wrong.
But the truth is nothing. Down syndrome isn’t anyone’s fault. It’s just part of life. And Cru was always meant to be ours. So after examination out of so many babies few were born with that condition. We believe we hit the jackpot.
Cru has already made us better people. With faith, love, and support, we’re learning every day. My grandmother called him “Chosen, Redeemed, United in Christ.” And my father-in-law calls him “Cru the Glue,” because he brings us all together.
I’m telling our story because I hope people choose compassion and truth. Please, teach your children to include others. Down syndrome is beautiful. And so is Cru
