Caleb Prewitt's story

Caleb’s story – WDSD 2018

I was asked by @growingupwithkeyaan to share a bit about Caleb and his (our) story for World Down Syndrome Day this year. As many times as I’ve written it out over the past 11 years, and it looks a bit different each time.

Caleb was born on March 15, 2007. We found out we were pregnant as his older sister was making plans to head to college. It was a surprise, certainly, made even more surprising by his extra chromosome 😊. After the initial shock, we recovered and found our bearings, with the help of friends, family and local supports. There were a few health concerns to deal with – two heart conditions, sleep apnea, and hypothyroidism – but we had wonderful doctors, and were soon into our “new normal” routine.

So much has happened over his eleven years, its hard to sum it all up. Therapies, Hard work, and Helpful Resources have made their way alongside Family, Friends, Community and School. Finding that Balance for a parent of a child with “Unique Needs” can be difficult. It’s something I have to work on every day. How to be the best parent I can be, for both my children (though one is grown and off on her own!), to being a good spouse, advocating, making sure my own health – spiritual, mental, physical – is on track. Unfortunately, there’s no magic trick for this, just constant rebalancing and refocusing.

Eleven! It means heading to middle school soon and looking ahead to what might happen after school. We work on many skills to prepare, and sometimes I have to remind myself to let go of the reins a bit. Caleb has had, and continues to have, a good life. When he was little, we wrote a Vision and Mission Statement for him, including Faith, Friendship, and a Productive, Healthy and Happy Life. It’s not any more or less than what we wanted for Courtney, but the road to get there looks a bit different. It’s a slower-paced road, filled with scenery and rest stops. Sometimes my impatience doesn’t much care for this road, but it’s also taught me to look for and enjoy the smaller things that life is all about.

Down syndrome awareness is important to us. It means education, acceptance and inclusion, all those things we want for Caleb and the rest of our friends. The world is filled with so many different types of people. How boring would it be if we were all the same? Our hope is that each year, WDSD can help change perceptions for the better, and our friends and loved ones with Down syndrome can find a more accepting and inclusive place to live.

Peace,

Karen (and Caleb!)