I Never Would Have Believed You

Posted: 6 years ago

I Never Would Have Believed You

I never would have believed you.

If you told me on this day, four years ago, the day my doctor delivered the news my son had Down syndrome, that I would be boarding a plane to not mourn, but celebrate his extra chromosome with 400 of my closest friends . . .

I never would have believed you.

If you told me four years ago as I sat on a paper-covered bed and listened to that same doctor say my son did not have a life worth living, that I would be finishing up my board term with the Down Syndrome Diagnosis Network to help change future diagnoses experiences . . .

I never would have believed you.

If you told me four years ago, that these women would help me fall in love with everything about my son, that they would help me discover my strength and make me realize the person I am meant to be . . .

I never would have believed you.

But believe me today.

Believe me when I tell you there are 400 women who are coming together this weekend because their lives have been enriched thanks to the extra chromosome that binds us.

Believe me when I say their love for their children and each other is fierce.

Believe me when I say that many of us who were lead to believe that Down syndrome was an ending, have since discovered it is instead an open door to countless beginnings.

We are the mothers of children with Down syndrome.

Our lives are not broken, but they are transformed. Our lives are not easy, but they are good. Neither we or our kids are victims, but victors through the trials; partly because we face those trials together.

Our kids rock that extra chromosome, and we are their Rockin’ Moms.

Believe it.

Want to make a difference in the lives of families who have a child with Down syndrome? DSDN is hosting an online auction. You can even bid on a phone call with me. Place your bid here: https://m.biddingforgood.com/auctions/315832800/items

#RockinMom2018 #RockinIt2018 #DSDN #BeTheChange

Jillian Benfield

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The Gift of the Unexpected

What if the unexpected is the beginning of becoming your truest self?

Jillian Benfield was living life in the spotlight as a TV journalist, but after receiving a life-altering diagnosis for her unborn son, she realized no camera-ready outfit could dress up her grief. Overcoming this unexpected circumstance wasn’t an option. She would have to undergo it instead. In doing so, she discovered who she was and who God wanted her to become.

In this riveting story filled with grit and grace, Jillian helps you break down the false constructs you’ve built around God and your identity. You won’t avoid your pain, but you’ll learn to feel it, in a healing way. And you’ll discover how your internal transformation leads to external purpose.

No matter what you’re going through, you’re invited to open this gift: The Gift of the Unexpected

The book is available on