Living with Down Syndrome

KATIE GAULTNEY, CORRESPONDENT: I’m at a birthday party for Palmer Anderson. It’s at a busy ice cream shop in north Dallas, and 1-year-old Palmer is the star attraction. A sprig of bright blonde hair sticks straight up off her head in a tiny ponytail. She has pale blue, almond-shaped eyes. They offer a hint that she is a member of a special club—a club that only 1 in every 700 babies in the U-S belongs to:

ANDERSON: Palmer has Down Syndrome. It’s a part of who she is. It’s no different than the fact that she has blonde hair. It’s no different than the fact that she’s female. It’s not what defines her, it’s not the most important thing about her, but it’s also not something that I want to shelter or pretend doesn’t exist. 

That’s Katie Anderson. Palmer’s mom. She says when Palmer was born, the Down Syndrome diagnosis came as a surprise to her... and her husband Dave. They hadn’t had prenatal screening when they had their daughter Beckett, who’s now 3-and-a-half. And they didn’t have it this time, either. Katie describes the scene in the delivery room.

ANDERSON: Right after she came out, all the doctors are there, and the nurses, and I heard one of the nurses say something, but I couldn’t really hear what it was, but I heard the doctor that was delivering her say, ‘Yes, I see it.’ So in my head, I’m like, ‘You see what? Like, what is it?’

What the doctors said next would surprise and change the Andersons.

ANDERSON: Her delivery was very good, but she said, ‘I just want to let y’all know that there are some signs that we see that lead us to believe that Palmer has Down Syndrome.’ And I think my initial reaction was just, ‘Okay! Okay, that’s okay, we can handle that, all right!’ and I think I just said that over and over again.

Katie didn’t have a lot of prior exposure to people with special needs, so right away—even from her hospital bed— she began to research.

ANDERSON: And of course, you start the Google monster and you find all kinds of stuff. The thing that surprised me the most or that I hadn’t expected was just how many health complications are associated with a diagnosis like Down Syndrome. She’s at a higher risk for a lot of things: heart problems, GI problems, even leukemia, and also just less serious things like needing glasses, or having her tonsils and adenoids out.

All that was possible—but in Palmer’s case those problems have not developed so far.

ANDERSON: Thankfully, she was really healthy, and has remained really healthy in her first year of life, which we’re really grateful for.

When Katie looks back on those first months, she remembers doctor’s appointments, more research, and trying to figure out what Palmer’s diagnosis would mean for her and the family. That led to changes in her own life.

ANDERSON: You know, in previous years, when things just seem to be running smoother, I feel like I was managing it all, and all that, I’ve just had to give that up, and in a lot of ways I have found a lot of freedom in that.

Freedom, Katie says, that has allowed her to slow down and be more present in the moment, spending time with her girls and noticing the joy that makes Palmer “Palmer.” 

Palmer is a lot like any 1-year-old. She scoots and crawls across the floor. Snacks on Cheerios. And mouths brightly colored toys. She wants to feed herself—and loves banging on her little red piano.

SOUND: PALMER PLAYING THE PIANO

ANDERSON: Every time her daddy comes home from work, she just beelines to the front door with a huge smile on her face. She adores her big sister Beckett. She literally, her eyes just follow her everywhere she goes and just looks up to her, and I know that relationship will continue to be like that forever. 

In just 12 months, the baby who surprised Dave and Katie Anderson with her Down Syndrome diagnosis continues to surprise them. Katie says God has used Palmer to change her perspective about what “normal” means, and to grow her capacity to love others.

ANDERSON: I wouldn’t want it any other way. I wouldn’t change Palmer at all, not one single bit. I wouldn’t even take away her Down Syndrome if I could. That, in and of itself, has been a gift to me and our family. That seems kind of crazy to say, but that’s how I feel.”

AMBI: “…happy birthday dear Palmer, happy birthday to you [cheers]”

For WORLD Radio, I’m Katie Gaultney reporting from Dallas, Texas.

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