Gratitude overcame shock for family with Down syndrome son: "Lost the air in my chest"

"I felt as though I'd lost the breath in my body and was unable to utter a word."

The Florida dad and entrepreneur immediately reacted with concern when he learned during an urgent phone call from his wife, who was pregnant with their fourth child and had just finished talking with a doctor, that their new baby might be born with Down syndrome.

Aric Berquist expressed his feelings of sadness, anger, and frustration in a video and an interview with Planet Chronicle Digital.

Berquist stated that during the phone call, he remained calm in order to comfort his wife, who was crying, as they discussed the news together.

He said that after they hung up, he felt a voice saying, "Who are you to tell me what a blessing is?"

The deeply devoted Christian mother exclaimed, "The voice wasn't angry. It felt powerful and reassuring - yet so unexpected that my arm hairs stood on end, causing pain."

He said he found himself "just bursting into tears."

The couple took every step to prepare for their new baby's arrival after a subsequent ultrasound confirmed the diagnosis of Down syndrome.

"He continues to teach me more about life and myself than I could ever dream of articulating."

On that day, treasure was placed in my hands, as the dad said, "Asher was born."

Berquist described the joy their youngest child has brought the entire family, from birth to the recent wedding of their daughter, the oldest of their four children.

"That kid has positively impacted my life in an incredible way," he stated.

The couple's youngest is 13 years old today and in sixth grade.

"He continues to impart more knowledge about life and myself than I could ever express."

Berquist stated that he loves sports and enjoys playing flag football and soccer. He also loves to play sports with his two older brothers.

"He is available to everyone he engages with."

His son Asher's bond with his brother, Adam, who is the sibling closest to him in age, is one of the richest and most beautiful things he has ever seen.

The two are very, very close, he said.

Berquist stated that their youngest "is fully present and accessible to everyone they interact with."

His dad said that he makes others feel acknowledged, and I'm starting to believe that we, as the 'typical people,' have the disabilities, not him.

Berquist shared with Planet Chronicle Digital that his son has been thriving and growing in each phase of his life. As a parent, it has been heartwarming to see how he has connected with so many people in his life. Watching his son's development has been a beautiful experience.

Changes in development

Young Asher, who has Down syndrome, underwent bypass surgery within the first three months of his life, and his family said that heart problems are a concern for him. After a week in the hospital, he returned home to his parents and siblings.

An extra chromosome is present at birth in individuals with Down syndrome.

An extra chromosome affects the development of the body and brain.

A baby with Down syndrome has an extra chromosome 21.

In the U.S., 5,700 babies are born with Down syndrome annually, and over 400,000 people currently live with it, as stated by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Over the years, the life expectancy of individuals with the condition has significantly improved.

The Global Down Syndrome Foundation, a nonprofit in Denver, Colorado, reports that what was only 25 years old in 1983 is now 60 years old today.

Down syndrome is most commonly caused by trisomy 21, accounting for 95% of all cases. Rarer forms include translocation, resulting from rearranged chromosome material, and mosaicism, characterized by a mixture of two types of cells.

Not every child with Down syndrome will display the developmental symptoms.

No known ways to prevent the condition during pregnancy and no known root causes, experts claim.

The age of the mother is a risk factor for Down syndrome. The odds of a 25-year-old pregnant woman having a child with Down syndrome are approximately 1 in 1,250, while at age 40, the odds increase to 1 in 100.

There are both physical and developmental symptoms of Down syndrome.

According to the CDC, physical symptoms may include a flattened face, shorter height, a short neck, small ears, hands, and feet, and decreased muscle tone.

Meanwhile, developmental symptoms may include a short attention span, impulsive behavior, slow learning, and delayed speech development.

Not every child with Down syndrome will display each of these traits.

‘Walk through that day’

Raising his son has taught Berquist the importance of being present.

He said, "Your feet are planted firmly on the ground today."

So, "walk through that day."

For more Health articles, visit planetchronicle.net/health

As we face life challenges, we are being refined and transformed into something beautiful if we allow it and walk through it.

Your life is that beauty, so breathe and engage with it.

Both Angelica Stabile and Ashlyn Messier of Planet Chronicle Digital provided reporting.