21 Reasons To Smile: The Lucky Mama Project, Supporting Down syndrome Families in Indiana
(photo credit: Jessica Renee Photography)
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I stumbled across the Lucky Mama Project on Instagram last year and immediately fell in love with the joy spilling out all the corners and edges of its page, each photo celebrating the beautiful life of a child who happens to have Down syndrome. Run by Heather Gregg, the Lucky Mama Project showers Hoosier families who have a baby born with Down syndrome community, information, and support. Each new mom receives a gift bag from the LMP full of resources and local connections, gifts (for them and their baby), and a letter written by a young woman with Down syndrome. “I have had several new parents tell me that it is the best thing they received. I hope that they realize they are not alone and that everything is going to be okay. It's going to be more than okay,” Heather says about the message she hopes the LMP gifts send.
Heather completely understands how difficult it can be to process a diagnosis like this, especially while pregnant. She received a prenatal diagnosis of Down syndrome with her daughter and it was a struggle at the beginning. Meeting another family familiar with the diagnosis made things so much better for her. Finding someone who listened to her concerns and also simply shared the joy of their family helped her to embrace this additional layer of her motherhood journey.
This listening and support is so important, because we won’t all have children with this diagnosis, but we will more than likely all know someone who receives it. I asked Heather how to best support a friend in this situation:
“I'd say the most important thing is to just be there for them, listen and offer reassurance. Be there. It may feel awkward. You may not know what to say, but make sure you are there for them. Remind them that they are having a BABY. The baby has an extra chromosome, that's it. It will be a little different than planned but they will get through it and that baby will make them better because of it. And say, ‘Have you heard of the Lucky Mama Project?’ :)”
As Heather also pointed out, things have improved exponentially for people with Down syndrome in the last several years. Life expectancy has increased dramatically, the world is becoming more inclusive… and these changes are only the beginning! And what she says is true too: a baby is always someone wonderful, no matter what their chromosomes look like.
Because of that extra chromosome, extra medical input is needed & Heather spent a lot of time last year sharing resource packets with provider offices in Indiana. Then covid-19 came along in 2020, bringing these office visits to an abrupt halt. The LMP is still happy to share materials with any providers in Indiana, but can’t make in-person office visits so if you know of a provider who would appreciate having them on hand, please reach out! The project runs under the umbrella of Down syndrome Indiana, a non-profit organization, and as such could always benefit from donations - they have an Amazon wish-list here, financial donations are always welcome, and they also welcome handmade baby blankets. Speaking as a former NICU mom myself - the world of special diagnoses can be pretty hard and sterile sometimes, so every warm touch makes a huge difference - and that warm touch is what the LMP provides so beautifully!