Being a mother is the most challenging and gratifying job in the world. Good mothers desire the best for their children, instill good values and provide opportunities to foster development and growth.
Today we celebrate all mothers and especially mothers that care for children with special needs. We celebrate their love, dedication and devotion. These mothers fight for their children’s well-being, societal prejudices, and focus only on creating an environment that allows their child to live to their highest potential.
The Ramzan’s desired nothing more than to have a child. Eventually their dream came true and they were told that they were having a beautiful baby. Soon after routine genetic testing, they were informed that it was a high-risk pregnancy. Despite the news, the couple’s spirits remained high. There were never any doubts for the Ramzan’s. They continued with the pregnancy knowing, no matter what, their precious child would be the ultimate extension of their love. Mandy Ramzan is now mother of a beautiful little boy with Down syndrome.
For Mandy raising a child with Down syndrome is a joyous and fulfilling experience because having children is joyous and fulfilling experience. After all, we are all here to love and grow. A mother’s love is not based on a child’s ability, but on a mother’s innate ability to love, accept and give.
Having a child with special needs can be a challenging journey, especially if the family does not have the right type of educated support. Understanding this, a group of online mothers who had experienced the birth of their own child with Down Syndrome, reached out to Mandy for support and guidance. It was from that very moment that a special relationship was born and the idea for a collective group of stories recounting each individual mother’s experience was created. It was within this group that Mandy contributed to the book ‘Unexpected’. Stories of a Down Syndrome diagnosis as told by families from around the world.
It is hoped that the book “Unexpected” helps new parents with a child with Down Syndrome understand that they are not alone and that there is a lot of hope and abundance for their child’s future. The purpose in compiling these stories is to add to the resources for new and expecting parents with a T21 diagnosis. – Down Syndrome. Participant families desired to share their experiences and stories so that they can provide a realistic view of what it means to welcome a baby with Down Syndrome into a family.
Having experienced the birth of a child Down Syndrome, these parents understand that expecting or new parents are likely to be scared, confused, anxious, or even terrified and generally those feelings are also accompanied by deep love and concern for their new or unborn baby. It is the hope of Mission T21 that through photographs and words, expecting or new parents will be able to glimpse into the their child’s future. It is hoped that these parents will not feel segregated and alone and that they will more easily accept their baby and all that may come. It is intended that through these story, these new parents will see their baby as a blessing, just like any other child.
These are wonderful uplifting stories of discovery through the eyes of parents.
To read or download these stories please visit: www.missiont21.com
Since Ryan’s birth Mandy has also been involved in creating a non-profit called Down Syndrome Diagnosis Network. This organization helps provide accurate information for people expecting a Child with Down Syndrome.
As stated on the Diagnosis Network website:
“We are women from all over the United States who each have a child with Trisomy 21 – Down Syndrome. They have a great desire to ensure women who receive a DS diagnosis are provided with current information and support. We come from varying political and religious beliefs and have a pro-information stance.
The Down Syndrome Diagnosis Network (DSDN) supports families with current information and real-life accounts of life with Down syndrome during the prenatal to early childhood phases. DSDN is committed to facilitating unbiased, family-centered discussion of Down syndrome within the medical community. We strive to cultivate a culture of acceptance and inclusion for people with Down syndrome at all stages of life.”
For more information and to donate to this incredible non-profit charity, please visit:
On behalf of It’s a Glam Thing we would like to wish the Ramzan’s family the very best! We would also like to commend all the families that have contributed in helping
spread positive awareness and information on these wonderful children.