Since March 2016, we have are best known as Yuri’s parents. Our official names though are Jon and Shannon. If only we’d known back in 2015, when we received Yuri’s prenatal diagnosis of Down Syndrome, that his reputation would proceed him! He is absolutely adored by everyone he comes in contact with. At 3 years old he knows how to work a crowd, warm hearts, and put a smile on even the grumpiest of faces. Down Syndrome not only gave him an extra chromosome but also a gift to touch others lives in ways we never imagined. Of course, nothing about this aspect of life with a child who has Down Syndrome was shared with us when getting the diagnosis. Nor was it described to us when meeting with a genetic counselor at 16 weeks pregnant. We were only told of all the possible health complications that people with Down Syndrome are more likely to have. I spent the rest of my pregnancy looking into early interventions, community supports, and reading blogs of families who had a child with Down Syndrome. I am forever grateful for my prenatal diagnosis. This gave our family time to grieve. We had time to educate ourselves about Down Syndrome. We had time to plan for a future that was different from what we had imagined for our son. I can’t wait to see what Yuri’s future holds. He exceeds my expectations daily so I know whatever I have pictured for his future, he will exceed that also!