Sarah Mackintosh spoke to Trudy Chetty, mother of a son with Down syndrome and founder of non-profit organisation, You’re Magical.
Having a son diagnosed Down syndrome inspired Trudy to start a non-profit organisation called You’re Magical. It is designed to assist individuals with Down syndrome and their families, aiming to create an inclusive community by creating public awareness on Down syndrome.
Trudy and her husband, Trevor, have two sons. Their youngest, Joshua, is in grade 1 and is a very enthusiastic and energetic boy – according to his mom, there is never a dull moment with him around! “Joshua is good at almost anything he puts his mind to, as little as he is. He’s very helpful, even with chores around the home. He is intellectual and is the most curios one at home, with a warm happy personality,” says his proud mom. Joshua loves fishing – his favourite hobby (aside from bike riding and skate boarding).
Big brother Tristyn has Down syndrome and has the most beautiful calm, caring, warm and loving personality. He always sees the good in people and is very protective over his little brother.
“He loves his music and can sit for hours watching or listening to praise and worship music or watching Christian preachers. He enjoys walks with us on the beach front and his favourite sport is swimming. He enjoys good food and loves a good braai. He is very hospitable, which even won him an award at school for hospitality,” says Trudy.
“Tristyn really enjoys communicating with family and friends. During the lockdown, his favourite device was his cell phone. Tristyn is extremely helpful with household chores like setting the table for dinner, washing and putting away the dishes. Tristyn is employed by Glenwood Super Spar, but due to the concerns surrounding COVID-19, we as his parents decided that he should take a leave of absence until further notice.”
Down syndrome is a genetic disorder caused when abnormal cell division results in extra genetic material from chromosome 21. Treatment can help, but this condition can’t be cured. Down syndrome causes a distinct facial appearance, intellectual disability and developmental delays. It may be associated with thyroid or heart disease. Treatment consists of therapy and self-care. Early intervention programmes with a team of therapists and special educators who can treat each child’s specific situation are helpful in managing Down syndrome.
Trudy stresses that in many important ways, children who have Down syndrome are very much like other children. They have the same moods and emotions, they like to learn new things, play, and enjoy life.
“We managed well with Tristyn though, through early intervention of various therapies. We are very protective parents, but at the same time allowed him to become an independent individual with lots of support from us.”
“It’s important to talk about all children as individuals and to focus on them as a person first, not simply a diagnosis. Individuals with Down syndrome are fully rounded individuals, experiencing all the emotions, joys and pains, excitement and depression that we all do. The only thing Tristyn does differently from us is that he lives in the moment. There is no pretence or hidden agenda. What you see is what you get with him. A valuable life lesson for us all perhaps,” Trudy explains.
“The journey of raising a son diagnosed with Down syndrome hasn’t been all fun and laughter every day,” says Trudy. “There were moments of tears, but God is our source of strength. Tristyn is supported and loved to bits by us his parents and a younger brother who wants nothing but the best for him. He has taught us many ways to look at life from a different perspective and we as a family could never imagine what life would be like without Tristyn in it.”
For more information on You’re Magical, visit www.youremagical.co.za.