Why is it that Gavin has Down syndrome and heart defects?.....
This question to me caught me off guard. I was asked if it was something that I did or ate. I thought it was a crazy question at the time, because of course it had nothing to do with me! The more that I thought about it, I realized that people really are uneducated about those with Down syndrome, and I suppose that it's nobody's fault for not knowing why this happens.
The sad thing is, I've read that 90% of babies that are determined to POSSIBLY have Down syndrome are terminated by abortion! This figure BLOWS MY MIND! 90%!!! So, it's no wonder people aren't educated about these precious children! So many people don't care about them or even want them to begin with! This really breaks my heart!
The answer to why babies are born with Down syndrome is a question that I actually already know the answer to. It's the same reason that people get cancer, break their legs, hurt themselves, and have pain. All of this occurs because there is sin in this world!
God created this world to be perfect, but then Adam and Eve disobeyed God and ate of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Ever since that day, sin entered the world and so did suffering. This is why bad things happen! This is why Gavin was born with Down syndrome and heart defects. And, this is why we get sick and why this world is not perfect. There would be no knowledge of evil, if there were no sin in the first place! God made this clear and just like our children disobey us, Adam and Eve disobeyed God. They had no reason to eat from this tree. They were given more than enough food, but they still did it. And, now this world is imperfect and so are we.
I've been thinking about this topic a lot lately. I had planned on blogging about it, but it's such a deep discussion and almost too complex for me to totally grasp. But, after being asked today's question, I think that it probably should be discussed. But, I'll leave that for another day!
I suppose my questions of "why?" can all be answered the same way. Because this world is imperfect. It's really quite simple, but yet so complex! AHHH! I'm getting a headache just thinking about all of this! So, on to lighter subjects for now, my other question of "Why is it?"
Why is it that during the school year I would, half the time, have to wake Gavin up to take the boys to school, but now that it is summer vacation and he can sleep in, HE WON'T! The little stinker is waking up early every morning! Today it was six o'clock, but other times this week it was 4 o'clock and 5 o'clock! He isn't crying or sad, he's just happy, loud and wants to play!
"What?! Did I wake you up? I thought it was morning."
"Well, since I have you up.....Let's Play!"
WHY?!?!?!
"And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, "Of every tree of the garden you may freely eat; but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die." Genesis 2:16-17
"I will greatly multiply your sorrow and your conception." Genesis 3:16
"Cursed is the ground for your sake; in toil you shall eat of it all the days of your life." Genesis 3:17b
11 comments:
Wow, I am totally blown away!! First, I can't believe someone asked you that! Wow! Second, I can't and don't want to believe the 90% statistic. So sad and disturbing! I think your answer is so true and appropriate.
As far as the wake up times, I wish I had a clue, but we were in this same boat ourselves earlier in the year and it was so frustrating. Now, she'll sleep until 6:30 or 7:00, but she is having trouble settling down for a nap! UGH! I am with you on the sleep thing sister!
WHY?!?!?!
I once read that so and so suffered from Down syndrome. Suffered?? I don't think Addy has suffered from anything because she has Down syndrome! She has suffered due to physical problems that can occur with our without DS!
We'll just put him and Jax in bed together, then when they are both up at the crack of dawn they will have each other to entertain themselves.
I can't believe someone asked you that either. But you're right, people just aren't educated about these things. I grew up in a hospital but I'm still learning (mostly from my bloggy friends). I can't help you on the waking up with the roosters since Ava does it too. lol
90%! That's astounding and incredibly sad. I'm actually shocked at that statistic.
I could have written this post myself, well, it would have been about Leigh's Disease though. I can't believe the stats are 90%... that's sin at work too. As our pastor says, the world is a rotting apple. Luckily we have a better home coming, and maybe we'll get to be neighbors there!
I like Jesus' answer when his disciples asked him about a man that was born blind. They asked if he or his parents had sinned. Jesus answered that neither one had sinned--but the works of God would be revealed in him. Sin in the world is the reason people are born blind and with Down syndrome, but I also like to think that the works of God are being revealed in Gavin's life--through your testimony, Alicia, and in too many ways to write about here.
Maybe he just likes summer better? At least he wakes up happy :)!
Why? Because think how empty our lives would be without these amazing, incredible, fighting kiddos! :)
This gives me the chills. I, too, have read about that 90% abortion rate and it completely blows my mind as well. Completely blows my mind. I look at my sweet baby girl and know that her fate is sealed. She's going to Heaven. I don't need to worry about her soul in that way. I read once that someone believes that people with Down Syndrome have a physical marker of God's divine favor. They will never know evil and they will always be innocent. My life will never be the same since having Linden. I have been made aware of so much in this world that I never would have noticed had she not had Down Syndrome and heart defects. In a way, she saved me. She brought me closer to God and I've learned much more about my faith.
Your sons are all precious and I can see Jesus in Gavin's smile. I bet he can light up the whole room.
Bianca
That is so sad that 90% of women choose to abort. I belong to a chromosome abnormality board and it is crazy how many women come to the board, because of an abnormality being found before birth. And more than half of these kids are born and are completly healthy! The tests aren't always true. So, some of those 90%- aborted healthy children. They have lost an opportunity to raise a child who would completly change their lives and other peoples lives.
Keep spreading the word thru your blog-Alicia. I truely enjoy your writtings! And thank you for your support for my family too.
P.S.
I love Gavin's pouty face!!! Pitifull and CUTE!
What a cutie. I lvoe to look at his pictures. He is growing so much. His chair and stander look really neat. This is the first time I brought Annabel's stander to the hospital, i just didn't want her to lose these days. Please keep us posted on if you see progress with his stander. I love the family picture on the fourth and the one of your guys. Thank you for keeping us updated! We do know we are blessed, but somedays it is hard to remember, isn't it???
I really enjoy your blog and am so grateful you share Gavin with the world! My favorite post was "Everyone Should Have a Gavin." I look at my children at work and think, am I here to help them, because I'm failing, they help me more than I realize!
Anyways, I am thrilled for his stander. My kids at work get so much out of them! As for his AFOs if he needs shoes that go with them I reccommend these places. They are so nice because you don't have to shove his foot into a tight gym shoe!
www.hatchbacksfootwear.com
www.keepingpace.com
Have a great weekend!
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