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Hi,
It’s Mizuki.
I believe that many pregnant women could never worry enough about everything and might think things in a negative way during their pregnancy. I was one of them. I wasn’t old enough to be considered as “an elder pregnant woman” which is over 35 years old in Japan and to have a higher possibility of some risks in giving birth. Also I was told by a doctor that my disability would not be inherited to my child. However I had been worried from the beginning of my pregnancy that what if my child has some kind of disabilities. I am sure that giving a birth to a child with a disability is not the end of the world. I am also very sure that every parent hopes that their child comes to this world with healthily.
As I had the worry, I didn’t share my pregnancy news widely, but only with my family and close friends whom I meet often. Unfortunately I could share my worry with almost no one.
Meanwhile, I had a chance to talk with my pregnant colleague who works in Switzerland office. She has visual disability and her age was close to 40 years old. I thought she might be able to understand my feeling, so shared it with her. Then she responded me like below.
I totally understand your feeling, Mizuki. I had cried so many times because of the same worry since I became pregnant. But I started thinking this way. Even if my baby has some kind of disabilities, I, a mother of the baby, have received good education and worked successfully. So I can be a great role model of the baby to prove and show that s/he can have a wonderful life even with disabilities. If I think this way, I believe that there is no other people who are ready enough to be a parent of child with disabilities like I am. I think you are same. Even if your baby has a disability, you can be a role model of your baby and guide her/him to success.
The message from my colleague made me remember an important point that I had missed. It also led me to positive mind and decreased my worries gradually.
Thankfully, Emma was born healthily and is growing up fast and happily. Of course I hope that she grows up without any big troubles from now on. However even if something happens, I believe I can raise and guide her by becoming a role model of hers.