Hi there! I'm new to the board. I joined to get some information and to know I'm not alone. I just got engaged in April and my future hubby and I are talking about starting a family. I'm terrified! I'm terrified not of labor or of getting pregnant, but of the outcome. I'm scared the baby won't be healthy. I'm scared of birth defects, autism, disease and disorders. I know this is horrible but my dream has always been to have a normal family. I want to be able to have a child who can play sports and go to sleepovers and maybe even have its own family someday. Just be a normal kid. Are these normal fears or am I just being really shallow and insensitive??

 


Your fears are completely normal, but your child will bring you so much joy and enrich your life incredibly, whether or not s/he has special needs.

I have two boys, a neurotypical son who's almost 5, and a 3-1/2-year-old boy on the autism spectrum. Although Lukas can be challenging, I wouldn't trade him for the world. He's the sweetest kid, and terrifically smart. He's making great strides in special ed preschool, and our doctors feel he should be able to enjoy a happy, independent life.

Yes, he doesn't enjoy the same things as other kids his age, at least on the same schedule. He will probably never be a team sports athlete, and he doesn't have the attention span to sit through a movie or baseball game, but he has other strengths his brother doesn't.

You take the hand you're dealt and play your cards to the best of your abilities. It's sadder to never play the game than it is to be dealt a tough hand.

Good luck to you, and I hope you jump in to the boards and become an active part of our community.

Welcome to TBC