World Down Syndrome Day: “Our babies have brought us so much joy”
Ahead of World Down Syndrome Day on 21 March, Closer speaks to two very proud mums who say their babies’ condition doesn’t define them…
When Michelle Sebo looks back at her reaction to the news that her baby son Theo had Down’s syndrome, she can’t believe she took it so badly.
The mum-of-two, from Farnborough, Hampshire, had burst into tears when doctors made the diagnosis five days after Theo was born in October last year.
Now, however, she adores her “perfect” son and says she wouldn’t change him for the world.
Michelle, 37, who lives with her husband Joe, 40, and their sons Raife, three, and Theo, says, “A baby’s first smile is a huge milestone for every new mum. But for me, it confirmed that Theo was just like my other little boy, Raife. He gives us just as much pleasure, warmth and love.
“Theo’s diagnosis was a huge shock for us – all the way through the pregnancy scans, tests had come back clear. The only thing we were worried about was Joe not being able to come to the birth until I was in active labour, because of the pandemic restrictions.
“But luckily, when my waters broke in October 2020, Joe was allowed to be by my side. And after a two-hour labour, Theo was handed to me weighing 7lbs 4oz.
“I adored him immediately – but as I held him, I could tell something wasn’t quite right. His eyes were quite swollen, and he was also quite floppy. I flagged my concerns, but was reassured that he was absolutely fine. However, at the back of my mind, I thought, ‘I wonder if he’s got Down’s Syndrome?’
I’d read stories about children with the condition and his symptoms were similar.
“We were discharged the next day, and that night I Googled pictures of babies with Down’s syndrome (DS), and I felt sure he had it, but I tried to put it to the back of my mind.
“When he was five days old, our midwife came and said we needed to go back to hospital as he was badly jaundiced. It was there that the paediatrician ran tests and confirmed it – Theo did have DS.
“I screamed and shouted that my life was over, how it wasn’t fair on us and Raife and that it wasn’t what I wanted.
The next few hours were awful as I grieved for the baby I thought I was having. I sobbed as I worried for us and our baby and our futures.
“The doctors stared at me with masks on, not able to comfort me due to
Covid restrictions and not knowing what to say.
“I felt very alone and isolated for the next two days in the hospital while they kept an eye on him because of his jaundice.
“Joe was at home most of the time with Raife and I researched everything I could about DS. I came across a Facebook group – called Positive About Down’s Syndrome – where I could connect with other families who had children with DS. Reading their stories helped so much. I could see the milestones their children were reaching and found it very reassuring.
“By the time we were discharged just a few days later, Joe and I felt much more positive. People with DS are more likely to have heart conditions and hearing problems, but Theo had lots of tests and he’s absolutely fine, which is good.
“So far he’s hit all his milestones, but I don’t know if there’ll be a slight delay in his development. It’s a case of wait and see. It’s all a learning curve – every child with DS is so different.
“Now I look back and am stunned at my initial reaction, though I am told it’s very common. I’m incredibly grateful that we have Theo – he’s a wonderful little person. When he lies in bed beside me smiling, laughing and stroking my face, I couldn’t be happier.
“To me, Theo is perfect.
He’s brought us so much love and happiness in the last four months.”
By Mel Falllowfield
& Kim Willis
❛ THEO IS PERFECT – I WOULDN’T CHANGE HIM
FOR THE WORLD ❜