At my wit's end!!!

Let's just say this......I am at my wit's end!

I am at my wit's end with people that are "afraid" of us because Madi has Down syndrome!

I have been trying to push these feelings aside and give people the benefit of the doubt but I just can't do it anymore.  We have several family members and friends that have given us the cold shoulder since Madi was diagnosed with Ds.  They have not even sent a text, email or card saying "Congratulations on the birth of your daughter."  I know that this is my 2nd child so lots of people don't acknowledge it like the first one.     And I don't expect that.  But, I guess I would expect a simple Congrats email, text or something.  Instead, these people act like we have the plague.

We also have the people that have even admitted that they are "afraid" to talk to us and be around us.  Okay......what is there to be afraid of?  Down syndrome is NOT contagious.  My child does not have some major physical disfigurement that people would tend to stare and gawk at.  And you know what......even if she did, she's not a scary child.  If anything, her smile and love is infectious!  I feel so honored to be her mommy.

I have been told that maybe people are afraid to say something that might offend me.  I totally understand and get that.  But, I am not an easily offended person.  I KNOW that people are going to say some things that probably don't come across the right way.  But, I also know that these people don't mean it in the wrong way.  And they aren't intentionally trying to say something hurtful.

I have also been told that some people just don't know what to say.  Well.......there is nothing to say!  Usually the 1st response is "I'm sorry" and to be honest with you, that seemed appropriate when it was the first couple of weeks.  But now, I am not sorry.  I wouldn't change anything.  So, really, there is nothing to say.  If you feel like you need to say something,  say "I am here for you if you need anything."  But, completely ignoring us and treating us like the plague does much more damage than saying the "wrong thing".

I try and put myself in other people's shoes and think about how they are feeling.  Before I had Madi, I knew nothing about Ds and nothing about people with needs, in general.  So, yes, if I had a friend with a child suddenly diagnosed with Ds, I probably would not have known what to say.  But, I would have been there for them and listened if they ever needed to vent or cry.  And I would have let them know that I am here for them whenever they needed something.  That is what "true friends" and "family" do.  But, I guess that's what I am learning.  Who my true friends and family really are.

I thought I already went through this when I went through breast cancer.  I definitely got rid of some people in my life.  But, I guess I get to do it again.  The very unfortunate thing is that these people are going to miss out on getting to know one of the most beautiful souls in the world.  Madi is truly a blessing from God and I only wish that everyone would get to have the pleasure of knowing her.

I probably should not have posted this on my blog......but actually, the people that I am talking about, are surely NOT reading my blog.  Remember........they are "afraid"........