Most of us have faced the uncomfortable questions and opinions people throw at those who choose not to have children. Society often expects a traditional path: get a good job, find a partner, get married, and start a family. When someone decides differently, they are frequently judged.
But what happens when the people in question do want children, despite facing extraordinary challenges? Over 20 years ago, Patti White from California received news that was both exciting and surprising: her daughter, Lisa, was pregnant.
Lisa has Down syndrome, a chromosomal condition often misunderstood by the public. Many assume people with Down syndrome cannot live independently, work, or even form meaningful relationships—but in reality, many lead full, independent lives. Lisa, 29 at the time, had her own apartment, a full-time job at Goodwill, and had been living on her own for over a decade. She was independent, social, and responsible.
Her relationship with a man who also had Down syndrome was serious—they discussed birth control, safe sex, and long-term plans. Many assumed her pregnancy was impossible; conventional wisdom suggested men with Down syndrome are unlikely to father children. But life had other plans.
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