Contrary to popular belief, a child with Down syndrome can bring loads of joy and happiness to a family. The Sweatman family is the finest example.
Allison and Andrew Sweatman, of Cabot, Arkansas, welcomed their bundle of joy—Roselyn Elizabeth Sweatman (Rosie)—on Aug. 13, 2015.
Sadly, Rosie did not have the best start in life. She was diagnosed with Down syndrome and a heart defect.
Allison and Andrew were at first daunted to learn of Rosie’s diagnosis during a week-20 scan.
To provide Rosie with the care she needed, the couple quit their teaching jobs in China and moved back to the United States.
Rosie spent her first year in and out of hospital, undergoing surgeries for her heart defect as well as craniosynostosis—a condition in which skull sutures fuse prematurely.
No doubt Rosie’s condition had placed a heavy burden on the couple’s shoulders.
However, as Rosie’s health improved, they realized raising a child with Down syndrome is not an intimidating task after all. They love watching Rosie conquer her battles each day.
“For the first time we felt like we were really able to just enjoy her and celebrate her,” mom Allison said.
Due to the situation that children with Down syndrome are not as readily adopted as children who don’t have special needs, Allison and Andrew began contemplating the idea of adopting a boy with the condition in hopes of helping him blossom.
In doing this, Rosie would have a big brother too.
In November 2017, through a friend’s introduction, the couple learned about 3-year-old Beau.
After continuous conversations with Beau’s birth parents, the adoption was finalized two months later. With the addition of Beau, the Sweatmans formed a beautiful family. They love Beau.
“When I first held Beau there were so many emotions and I knew him becoming my son meant his birth mom sacrificing greatly for us to have him in our family,” Allison said.
Sometimes, the Sweatman family received stares from people due to their uniqueness. Regardless of everything, bringing up Beau and Rosie has been incredibly rewarding for Allison and Andrew.
They love watching Beau and Rosie bond with each other and reach milestones.
The couple was glad they adopted Beau.
“It’s not an easy journey, but it’s certainly a privilege to be part of,” Allison said.
In fact, according to a study published on the U.S. National Institutes of Health, the rewards and life lessons gleaned from rearing a child with Down syndrome are abundant.
Thank you Allison and Andrew for showing us that raising a child with Down syndrome is not that scary after all.
Every child is a gift. Given the opportunity, children with Down syndrome are capable of achieving great things too.
May Beau and Rosie grow up cheerful and kind!
