Wednesday, July 16, 2008

4. Who Does He Look Like?

Although that's a perfectly natural question, it can be a bit tricky for parents of a child with Down syndrome. Hmm...let me think. Two words immediately come to mind: "Asian" and "elf." Especially with his little elf hat and his 4 lb., 11 oz frame. He looks like a cute little elf from China. I'm not sure if that's offensive or not. It probably is. Anyway, the point I'm trying to make is that, right now, he doesn't look like our daughter did, and he doesn't look like either of us. And having a baby that looks like you (or at least the mailman) is something that most parents take for granted. We don't anymore.

To be honest, this question didn't bother me at all. But it visibly affected my wife. I guess everyone is different.


2 comments:

ds.mama said...

Good to know early on that this won't be the most PC blog on the block :-)

Tricia said...

Are you finding that as Oz grows up that he looks more like you and your wife? I see my husband's side of the family in our daughter all the time (and occasionally my side too). Sure they have the extra chromosome, but it came from you folks!!! So there are PLENTY of your characteristics (including inclination towards music or art or sports or math or whatever) to be found in that little boy! :)