Community

If you follow social media posts of anyone who has a tie to Down syndrome, you've likely seen #theluckyfew. This hashtag references the belief that those of us with connections to someone with Down syndrome are 'the lucky few' in this life: we get to learn firsthand that joy and beauty can be found in unexpected places. It's a perfect combination of words to describe the life we get to experience through our family members with Down syndrome. Recently for me, it's also a way to label the opportunities the lucky few of us are given in they way of connecting to others.

When my daughter, Ruby, was born almost five years ago, I immediately sought out someone - anyone - to talk to. I knew I needed to find an avenue into this diagnosis because I had no reference point for Down syndrome. I didn't know where to start; the only thing I knew was that I knew nothing. 

 

Of course I went online where I found a few blogs and binge-read them in those first few weeks. And a doctor gave us a phone number to connect with a mom in another state. Finally, I was pointed to a local mom who had her baby also, and we planned to meet up at Gigi's. I will never forget that first meeting because it was the first time I felt like I might be able to do this. That morning I met two moms who were just like me with kids just like Ruby starting out just like us. And I breathed a sigh of relief.

 

Over the next few months, I went to Gigi's every week, meeting as many moms as I could, making conversation with every person in the building, gathering information from every therapist or specialist or 'someone-who-knows' offering their knowledge. I found this whole new world filled with friends and information and support and amazing kids. I found a community. And I realized very quickly that Down syndrome forms an instant bond for all of us. The two moms I met that first morning are still my friends, and we check in with each other regularly. Now, almost five years later, I have added so many moms ahead of me, behind me, and right beside me on this journey. All of them have shared with me as I've shared with them, and when things arise like speech issues, potty training, IEPs, cancer...they give a hug and they offer advice and they have your back.

Fast forward to a few months ago when some of the moms in one of my local circles started talking about another group of moms that met up at a conference and got similar tattoos to signify their kinship to each other on this T21 journey. I was all in. The connection I've found with the many women, near and far, that share this walk is a very strong one. One so strong I can only refer to them as my tribe, because that word is defined as families or communities liked intricately, even by blood. The list of moms that have played such a significant role in my journey with Ruby is so long, and even includes some that I've only talked to once or twice. I can say without a doubt that they are all lifelong friends, and they are absolutely my tribe. (In fact, I write all of this after a morning spent connecting with at least a dozen local women in my tribe - a few new to me and some, very 'old' and dear!)

So what is the tattoo and what is the meaning behind it? For me the three arrows represent the triplication of the 21st chromosome present in Down syndrome. The arrow shape because sometimes God knows we need to be pulled back, maybe even held in place for a bit, before we can move forward. But when we are stretched, oh how high we can soar! What God has used Down syndrome to do in my life is something I can't even explain. It's something so much bigger than anything else that it even made cancer seem small. It's something that has forced me to lean on other moms in a way I never thought I would. It's something that allowed me to be there to help other women when they needed someone to tell them it was going to be OK. But why a tattoo? Because when something changes you as permanently as Down syndrome does, something permanent to represent it just makes sense.