Being pregnant is an incredible journey filled with anticipation and joy. But what happens when you find out you’re expecting not just one, but two little bundles of joy? Matt and Jodi Parry found themselves in this exact situation. Already parents to a son, they were overjoyed at the prospect of welcoming two more angels into their family. Little did they know that their joy would soon turn into fear and anxiety.
Their doctor called them into his office and uttered two terrifying words: “I’m sorry.” Matt and Jodi were stunned when they learned that their twins, Abigail and Isobel, had been diagnosed with Down’s syndrome. The news was not delivered in a professional manner, leaving Jodi feeling like it was a “lifetime punishment.”
The odds of having twins with Down’s syndrome are incredibly rare, about one in a million. The Parry family received little guidance on how to care for their newborns with special needs. They were left to navigate this new journey on their own, unsure of what the future held for their daughters.
Initially, fear consumed Matt and Jodi. They worried about their girls’ ability to walk, talk, and attend school. But instead of dwelling on their fears, they chose to seek as much information as possible and rely on their own instincts. While some may have pitied them, those who knew Abigail and Isobel saw the love and happiness they brought to their family.
“To this day, I’ll never know what he was sorry for,” Jodi reflects. “If I could meet him again, I’d show him Abigail and Isobel and ask why he said sorry. We wouldn’t change them for the world now.”
Fast forward five years, and the girls have proven just how wrong the doctor and the prejudiced people around them were. Every human being, regardless of their abilities, deserves an equal chance at life. Abigail and Isobel are living proof that individuals with Down’s syndrome can thrive and lead fulfilling lives.
No one should be made to feel invisible or marginalized based on a diagnosis. People with Down’s syndrome should have the same opportunities and freedoms as anyone else. Let’s stand together and support inclusivity for all. Like and share if you agree!
