Doctors said my baby would be just like us, but Lara was born perfectly healthy. My name’s Ava. Ben and I both have Down syndrome. We met at a job program and fell in love fast. We wanted a family, even when everyone told us not to. When the test showed I was pregnant, one doctor said, “You don’t understand the risk.” Another said the baby would be like us. Ben squeezed my hand and said, “Let’s give her a chance.” We changed hospitals. Every visit was tense — long stares, quiet whispers. We still prepared: secondhand clothes, a small crib, walls painted soft yellow. The delivery was rough. The lights were blinding. Then came a sound I’ll never forget — Lara’s first cry. The doctor froze, then said quietly, “She’s healthy.” Ben covered his face and sobbed. I just held Lara close. Her tiny fingers wrapped around mine, warm and strong. After all the doubts, our daughter proved everyone wrong.
