I know in our journey, the boy’s aunties and uncles (Masis, Masar Ji, Pua Ji, Fufar Ji, Chacha Ji) have played a pivotal role in both Saajan’s journey but also ours. Through their love and acceptance, ours has also grown. They’re there to remind us of how worthy Saajan is. I’m not going to sugarcoat the fact that in the early days, I had moments of rejection. If it wasn’t for our family, I don’t know what we have done. The grandparents are our hugest pillar of support – their unwavering faith, wisdom and attitude has helped us plough through and we have come out so much stronger. We are truly blessed to have the greatest family support network.
Claire was born with Down Syndrome 31 years ago – a time where things were considerably backwards and children with Down Syndrome were viewed as a burden and as though they should be institutionalised.
Below, Claire’s auntie, Diane, who also plays a very large part in Claire’s life shares her experience of being an aunt to a niece with Down Syndrome and the response they received.
When Claire was first born, I didn’t know much prior – my friend had a baby who passed 12 months earlier at 6 months. My friend was sent home from hospital, hadn’t done any checks on the baby, the baby was born with extreme floppiness and his tongue was always out, by this time he had hole in his heart which was undiagnosed and he sadly passed. So when Claire was born I was petrified that that would happen to her.
They always said that you could tell the severity by the features which we could not really tell with Claire.
Claire failed to thrive in the early days as her mother, Sue, was in pure shock and she never took a bottle. Sue struggled to even push the pram due to shock.
Therapists said to leave toys around Claire at 6 months so she could reach for them so she could learn if she wanted something so she would go for it. Sue were very firm with us all treating Claire normal.
My dad was good with her, my parents worshipped Claire – my dad on his deathbed said “I’m proud of that one (Claire) they said she wouldn’t walk or talk”.
Back then, people did stare at Claire – I remember one time when Sue was in the park with Claire and one mother pulled their child away and Sue said “it’s not contagious”.
The good thing is that Claire changed us all – none of us knew what would come from Claire she has amazed us all, children never seem to care.
I’m most proud of how Claire has grown into a smart young woman which we never thought she would, She helps everybody and would give her last penny to anybody.
