The world is full of ups and downs; its unpredictability is what makes life worth living. Sometimes we are ahead, and other times we are behind. So, what happens when you have the chips stacked up against you right from the moment you were born? A child born with Down syndrome has found a reason to smile again after she was adopted. This emotional moment was captured by the National Down Syndrome Adoption Network, which played a significant role in facilitating her adoption process.
The video, which was posted on their official Facebook page back on October 12, 2019, shows the adopted young girl smiling while looking into the camera. So far, it has received over 208K likes and 382K Shares, with over 17 million views and counting. This is truly a smile that has taken the world by storm. [1]
The video, which was posted with the following caption: New smiles are the best smiles! #babygirl #smilingsweetie #Downsyndrome #Downsyndromeadoption #spreadingjoy, has also received over 28K comments.
The National Down Syndrome Adoption Network (NDSAN) is an offshoot of the Down Syndrome Association which is “committed to providing support for families who are considering an adoption plan for their child, and for families who would like to adopt a child with Down syndrome.” Robin Steele, a founder of the NDSAN, was also one of the founding members of the DSAGC back in 1981.
So far this year, the NDSAN has helped 16 babies and children find their adoptive families. Representatives of the organization said that the baby in question, identified only as Baby H., was adopted earlier this year to a loving family and, if the video is anything to go by, she is fitting right in. [2]
Read: This teen with special needs visited his late mother’s grave to tell her “I did it. I graduated”
Much ado about Down syndrome
According to the NDSAN, Down syndrome is the most commonly occurring chromosomal genetic condition in the world, occurring in one out of every 691 births and affecting people of all races and economic levels.
Down syndrome is a genetic disorder where a person is born with an extra chromosome. It occurs when an extra copy of a chromosome is present at the time of conception. Down syndrome is characterized by a wide range of developmental delays and physical disabilities caused by a genetic disorder. [3]
The most common type of Down syndrome is Trisomy 21. In this case, there is an extra copy of the 21st chromosome, so instead of the typical two copies of the 21st chromosome, the baby receives a third copy during conception.
Other forms of Down syndrome include Translocation Down syndrome, where an extra copy of the 21st chromosome attaches to a different set of chromosomes, and Mosaic Down syndrome, where pieces of the extra 21st chromosome connect to other sets of chromosomes.
Researchers believe that the presence of the extra copies of genes on chromosome 21 disrupts the course of healthy development. This causes the defining characteristic features of Down syndrome and the increased risk of health problems associated with this condition. [4]
Medical issues experienced by people with Down syndrome include:
- Heart issues
- Intestinal problems
- Ear, nose, or throat issues
- Thyroid issues
Some common physical characteristics of people with Down syndrome include:
- Small ears
- Short neck
- Flat-looking face
- Tiny hands and feet
- Poor muscle tone or loose joints
- Shorter in height as children and adults
- Almond-shaped eyes that slant up
- A tongue that tends to stick out of the mouth
- Tiny white spots on the iris (colored part) of the eye
- A single line across the palm also called palmar crease
- Small pinky fingers that sometimes curve toward the thumb
These increased risks is what makes children with Down’s syndrome challenging to be adopted. We are happy that Baby H. was able to find a loving family to take care of her and bring more stunning smiles to her face.
Keep Reading: Champion Gymnast With Down Syndrome Becomes A Model, Paving The Way For Others Like Her
