Every parent wishes their children to be happy and healthy. When that’s not the case, it often evokes overwhelming emotions, and various aspects of parenting become magnified and more complex. 

Seeing his parents struggle with his brother’s disability, redditor LateFaithlessness455 had ‘no interest’ in living the same life. Therefore, when his girlfriend got pregnant, he was set on ensuring that the baby they were having was healthy. After many tests, they received heartbreaking news, which pushed him to leave his girlfriend and baby behind.

Scroll down to find the full story and a conversation with early childhood and disability author Jenny Nechvatal, who kindly agreed to tell us more about what parents experience upon learning they will have a baby with a disability.

Finding out your child will have to struggle with poor health for the rest of their life can be heartbreaking

Image credits: RDNE Stock project / pexels (not the actual photo)

Having ‘no interest’ in such a life, this man chose to leave his girlfriend and baby behind

Image credits: MART PRODUCTION / pexels (not the actual photo)

Image credits: KoolShooters / pexels (not the actual photo)

Image credits: LateFaithlessness455

Each year, 120,000 babies are born in the US with birth defects

Image credits: Ryutaro Tsukata / pexels (not the actual photo)

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, each year, 120,000 babies are born in the US with birth defects. It happens when the fetus is developing in the womb and can result in physical, intellectual, or developmental disabilities. 

Unfortunately, the exact cause of birth defects is unknown. Researchers assume that they are the result of a complex mix of factors such as genetics, chromosomal problems, exposure to toxic substances, infections during pregnancy, or a lack of certain nutrients. 

Healthcare providers can diagnose some conditions during pregnancy by using prenatal testing. However, some can only be found after the baby is born, and others only later in life when the child starts having symptoms. 

Upon receiving such news, childhood and disability author Jenny Nechvatal tells Bored Panda that parents will feel a range of emotions. “There will be grief, sadness, worry, and fear. There will also be a strong feeling of love as we love our children, no matter who they are.

It will be a rollercoaster of emotions that you will go through. This rollercoaster will continue throughout their life. At times, you and your partner will experience different emotions, so if one of you is having a bad day, the other can help you see the positive side. A sense of humor is also essential.”

Over time, many parents find their own ways of adjusting and moving forward

Image credits: SHVETS production / pexels (not the actual photo)

Over time, many parents find their own ways of adjusting and moving forward. Nechvatal advises asking questions and talking to parents who have a child with a disability to gain insights and practical advice. “Join support groups and use their knowledge to prepare for the arrival of your baby. Listen to medical advice, but be aware that each child is different, so they may not experience all aspects of the diagnosed disability.”

Something that can help prepare parents for the challenges that come with raising a baby with a disability is reading and researching. Nechvatal further explains, “If they know the child will need medical equipment or mobility aids in the future, finding information on leasing, purchasing an operation of these in advance will make the introduction to them easier for the family.”

She additionally recommends setting up support networks so parents have time to maintain their relationship, which is essential when parenting a kid with unique needs. A positive attitude and the ability to find humor in such a situation are also important and make it easier for the whole family to appreciate each other.

“Parenting children with a disability makes you so much more grateful, and you don’t take things for granted like other parents, and you know that you have a richness to life that others don’t,” says Nechvatal.

“You are living a life that is full, busy and you wouldn’t have it any other way because if you changed your children, then they wouldn’t be the unique and amazing human beings that they are. Their strengths, quirks, and personality traits wouldn’t exist, and they are perfect just as they are,” she concludes.

Some readers supported the author, suggesting he reach out to a therapist

Others questioned his behavior, asking why he had children at all

Those who went through similar situations kindly shared their own stories

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