Finding out that your unborn child will have Down Syndrome is not easy to hear. I was scared and mourned for the loss of the life I thought she would have. Fast forward 3 years and she has a better life than I could have ever imagined for her. She is so strong, hardworking, loving and of course, happy. She is LOVE! I am so proud to be her mom!
Having two other children before her, I couldn’t help wonder how a special needs child would impact our family. The compassion, love and empathy is a lesson that goes beyond words. She enriches our family and has made all of us better people. My oldest daughter has become one of her biggest fans and advocates, and she made us all proud when she took the initiative as a 3rd grader to write a letter to her school principle to encourage the school to participate in Crazy Sock Day in support of World Down Syndrome Day! The event was celebrated again this year with many students at both Forest Hill Elementary and Harker Lower School rocking their socks! You too can show your support by sharing your crazy socks on social media and tagging it #WDSD18.
LaSandra Brill is a Santa Clara resident and Head of Digital Planning and Analytics at NVIDIA. She serves on the Board of Directors for Abilities United and is on the Marketing Committee for LuMind Research Down Syndrome Foundation.