If you’ve seen a charming little guy named Finn pop up on your social media lately, there’s a delightful reason behind it. Finn’s infectious smile is capturing hearts all over the internet this October, which happens to be Down Syndrome Awareness Month.
Sarah Anderson, a devoted mom and the voice behind the blog “Life with Finn,” created a touching video as part of the #StrongLikeYou campaign on Jane.com. In it, she shares her journey of raising a son with Down syndrome. The clip has taken the online world by storm, racking up nearly four million views in just ten days.
Aside from Finn’s undeniable cuteness, it’s Sarah’s candid reflections on her feelings when she first learned about her son’s diagnosis that have many parents reaching for the tissues. When Sarah and her husband first discovered they were expecting, they were over the moon. While Sarah envisioned sweet moments between mother and son, her husband was daydreaming about future sports games. But everything shifted dramatically when Finn was born.
“They asked if we had done the quad screen,” she recalls, referring to the prenatal test that assesses the likelihood of Down syndrome. “I had, and the results were normal. So when the nurse said, ‘We think your baby might have Down syndrome,’ I was just annoyed. I thought, how could this happen to us? You only hear about this in older moms.”
But further testing confirmed that Finn did indeed have an extra chromosome. “I think he is, honey,” her husband gently said as they processed the diagnosis. “And that’s okay.”
Sarah admits that fear clouded her early thoughts. “I was so worried; my face was puffy for days. I had no idea what to expect regarding his health or life, and that’s terrifying for any parent.” However, a visit from friends who also had a child with Down syndrome in the hospital opened her eyes. “You just hit the jackpot,” they told her, and she soon realized they were right.
“I don’t want people to feel sorry for him,” she explains. “What they don’t see is that Finn gives me more hugs and kisses than anyone else. He has this incredible ability to sense people’s emotions and loves in a way that’s hard to comprehend.” To share her experiences and educate others about Down syndrome, Sarah started her blog, “Life with Finn.”
“There’s nothing down about Finn, his diagnosis, or anyone living with Down syndrome,” she emphasizes.
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In summary, Sarah Anderson’s heartfelt tribute to her son Finn has resonated widely, bringing attention to Down Syndrome Awareness Month and the joys of parenting a child with Down syndrome. Her video and blog serve to uplift and inform, reminding us all that love knows no bounds.