Katy (our little angel)

Having had three sons and watching them growing up into bright, happy and wonderful young men I was very excited about the prospect of starting all over again with my new husband John.

My first marriage had ended quite amicably and after 4 years my sons were all-fine about my remarriage, and got on with John from the beginning.

As everyone does, we went along to the 20 week scan with excitement, we couldnt wait to see the little person in my belly that we had been feeling jumping around for some weeks. The radiographer asked if we were having the triple test or the amnio because of my age (36), but we categorically stated that we wouldnt want to know if there was a ''problem'' with our baby as we both agreed after feeling the baby move around we couldnt do anything about it if there was a problem, and if we had a test that was positive we would just be worrying for the next 5 months. I know this isnt everyones view and I respect and understand all the different feelings couples have when offered these tests. When we were asked to go back for a second scan a week later we just believed it was because of the lie of the baby and didnt realize that perhaps they could see some characteristics of a chromosomal disorder.

The scanner was a lovely woman and when she told us we were very likely having a baby girl I couldnt help my eyes filling up, any baby is wonderful but after 3 boys it made it just a little extra special having a girl.

Mothercare was the first place on our list and anything pink or frilly just had to be bought. We are not extremely wealthy, just normal people and infact we were struggling, as within a couple of months of being pregnant our web design business closed, mainly due to my  being too trusting (enough said on this matter). Whatever will be, I used to think as I was drawn again to something pink.

At 37 weeks pregnant my waters broke at 5 o''clock in the morning, I ran around the house telling the boys they were going to have a sister and they got up immediately expecting her arrival in minutes, but by lunchtime there were no signs and we decided to go to hospital and see if they could get something moving.

John had gone home as nothing seemed to be happening when a nurse looking at the monitor reading became very concerned and from that minute everything feels like a dream (a bad dream) I was induced and monitored very carefully until at 19 minutes past 7 in the evening Katy Elizabeth came into the world and was about to change our lives forever. Everyone seemed quiet and Katy was whizzed off to see a doctor. Instincts told me there was a problem and I even asked the midwife if she had Downs but it was the doctor who dropped the bombshell, he very ''matter of factly'' told us our beautiful baby girl had Down Syndrome, the emotions in that first 24 hours were like nothing we have ever been through before, my main feelings were guilt, was I too old to be having this baby? I was scared that my husband who is quite a lot younger than me wouldnt be able to handle the pressure and I didnt know how my sons were going to take the news, I remember just wanting someone to tell me there was a mistake, but of course no one did.

My brother brought my mum and my sons and we told them all as they came in, my youngest sons comment will stick in my mind forever, he said, with tears in his eyes " Obviously God wanted her to come to a loving family so she had to come to ours, didnt she". I think that from that moment everything seemed so much better, my other sons took it so well and just seemed to accept it and get on with being excited about having a new baby around, as for my husband,he seemed like he was going to be the perfect daddy.

Physically Katy had a hole in her heart and we were expecting her to have to have heart surgery but every time we went back for scans it was closing a little bit more until it is now perfectly ok.

Katy may not be as fast as some other children but I would definitely say she isnt the slowest either, she sat up at 6 months and started crawling on her first birthday, By 18 months she was taking her first steps and at nearly 2 she was trying to run (or walk very fast), she never stops talking and maybe there is only us who can understand what she says but she lets us know what she wants.

The only difference I can really see in Katy is her inability to be miserable, all day she has to be making you laugh, she sings dances and giggles all the time and now has a little sister Sophie who she adores.

I can only say I am so proud of all my family, having Katy has changed everyone, but not in the way we expected, she has given us all a sense of meaning, my sons are fantastic she couldn''t wish for better brothers, she waits for them to come home from college and her face lights up when they arrive.

Having a baby with a disability might make a huge difference to your life but from what we have experienced so far the differences are all for the better, If we are having a ''Down'' day we only have to look at Katy and she will lift you ''up'' and make you smile.

My Little Angel: Please give this song time to load: click 'back' to return

My mum Elizabeth is also my best friend, she writes poems about every situation and one day I would love to see them published. This is her story about Katy:

I was delighted when my daughter informed me she was expecting a girl. She already had three boys, so a baby girl would be good.However I got a real shock to discover Katy had Down's Syndrome, in all my years on earth I hadn't come accross any children with Down's, so I didn't know what to expect.But after the initial shock I discovered what a delightful child she is. So, here are my poems to my special granddaughter, which sum up how I feel:

I was sitting quietly in my chair
When all of a sudden
A beautiful sight to see
I spied a vision of loveliness
Peeping round at me.                                                                                                                 

My little granddaughter
Aged nearly two
Had bounced into the room
And suddenly, the world was bright again
She'd banished the doom and gloom.

Her merry eyes were twinkling
As she danced and sang for me
She gave a bow and then a twirl
And her smile was full of glee.

My heart was full of love for her
As she gazed into my face
She looks as cute in denim
As she does in satin and lace.

I also have three grandsons
And I love them dearly too
So thank you God
For these lovely kids
And I send my love to you.

KATY

Katy you are an 'angel', and we will cherish you,
Your family are special
Because they're amongst the chosen few.

When God sends a child that needs special care
They go to loving arms
That will always be there.

Pam, he let you have three lovely boys
Their caring ways bring untold joys.
So to you we send this message of love
And we know that Dot is looking down from above.

God bless you all and keep walking tall
For love is all around you.