Eagerly waiting to see if the second strip turns pink, Sujaya and Soumendra sat praying hopefully. The joy was unbeatable when they found out they were expecting! The entire family celebrated and gave thanks!
A few months later, they were blessed with a baby girl who they named Shreya. Their little bundle of joy completed their family and filled their hearts with warmth but soon the excitement took a surprising turn for the worse. The doctor broke the shocking news to them that Shreya had Down Syndrome. “We had no idea about this genetic disorder,” Shreya’s parents said tearfully, remembering the confusion and pain they felt all those years ago.
Soumendra reached out to his boss, telling her the devastating news he had received. That night his boss stopped by his house and handed him a magazine she had bought at the airport. The magazine provided the first piece of information on Down Syndrome for the family.
Many people said outrageous things to Shreya’s parents, even saying that it was all because of their sins but the most painful part of this experience was the rejection and abandonment they faced from their family. For years no one was willing to accept Shreya as she was. “It was very discouraging but God reminded us that each child is created uniquely and specially by Him,” says Sujaya, reliving the hurt. Even in the midst of feeling the need to helplessly compare and cry out ‘Why, God, why?’ Shreya’s parents were guided to meet, speak and learn from the right people.
“God chose us for this.” Shreya’s parents began to see their child grow as she was accepted and loved in their church. Shreya began to learn to interact with children and her abilities began to increase drastically! As her personality began to shine through, her family realised there was so much to learn from her! “We’ve learnt from her how to be content with every small thing and how to work systematically,” says Soumendra proudly.
From thinking their child would never be able to read or speak well, to seeing her read the Bible, however slowly, Shreya’s parents praise God for this miracle. Eyes glistening with tears, Soumendra tells us how Shreya always prays for everyone she knows, including their driver and house help. Truly Shreya’s beautiful heart is touching the lives of many.
Having gone through such a difficult time himself, Soumendra encourages everyone to accept and include instead of be in denial, and then lean on God’s great wisdom and love. “God will not leave us in our troubles, He will carry us through.”
