2025 Tree of Hope

The Anderson Family

Cohen is a bright, energetic, four-year-old who can light up any room. He is a little celebrity at school and around town. People we’ve never met come up and greet him by name. He loves being around others and is quick to share hugs and fist bumps with everyone he meets. He has the biggest heart and a smile that will make you melt. Cohen loves dance parties, spending time outdoors, and cruising around on his Amtryke.

After experiencing multiple miscarriages, we were overjoyed to learn that our third baby was on the way to complete our family. Everything seemed to be going just as it should, and for the first time in a long while, we let ourselves fully hope and dream.

At 12 weeks, we met with maternal-fetal medicine for a consultation and ultrasound. The appointment started out well, we were told there was a less than one percent chance of our baby having any genetic anomalies. But in a matter of moments, everything changed.

During the ultrasound the scan showed that our precious baby had a cystic hygroma, a fluid-filled sac that forms on the back of the neck during fetal development, often signaling an issue with the lymphatic system. This condition is sometimes linked to Down syndrome or Turner syndrome. Our excitement turned to fear and disbelief, how could this be happening when everything seemed so perfect?

The next few days were filled with worry as we waited for the results of a blood test. When we received the news, our hearts sank – the test was positive for Down syndrome. We also learned that our third baby would be another boy. Though we would not have a confirmed diagnosis until birth, we already knew our lives had changed forever. We were heartbroken and scared, trying to process what this meant for our family. We had two healthy boys at home, and now we were facing a reality we never expected — having a child with Down syndrome. It wasn’t part of our plan, and we were filled with uncertainty, but deep down, we already loved him with all our hearts.

Our pregnancy took place during the height of COVID, which made an emotional time even harder. Many of our appointments were done over video, and I was the only person allowed to attend most of my ultrasounds. I remember sitting alone in a room, tears streaming down my face, staring at a provider on a computer monitor instead of having someone there to hold my hand. Time and time again, different options for the pregnancy were presented. Each time, my heart broke a little more. This baby boy growing inside was loved and wanted, no matter what.

Were we scared? Absolutely. Did we cry a lot? More times than I can count. There were days I couldn’t even bring myself to tell people I was pregnant because the tears would come before I could get the words out. I avoided researching anything about having a baby with Down syndrome, it was too unbearable. What should have been a happy time in our lives was clouded by fear and uncertainty.

Delivery day came at 37 weeks, and after all the worry, waiting, and tears, our sweet Cohen was finally here. The moment we saw him, all the nervousness we had carried for months faded into love. He was perfect — tiny, beautiful, and ours. He spent a few weeks in the NICU and was finally able to come home and meet his big brothers, Ellis, then six and Oliver four.

How were we going to explain to them that Cohen has Down syndrome? What were we going to tell other people? What were the next steps?

Cohen’s first year was a blur. He had so many appointments, and we were receiving calls from countless organizations. It was overwhelming, and there were moments when we wondered how we would manage it all. That’s when Paige and DSC came into our lives.

Paige was Cohen’s Physical Therapist for three years, and from the very beginning, she was a light during an uncertain time. With patience and care, she worked tirelessly with Cohen, helping him learn to hold his head up, roll over, sit, pull up to stand, and eventually take his very first steps. All the therapy took place right in our home, where Cohen felt safe and comfortable. Paige brought toys and equipment, and often included Ellis and Oliver in the sessions, turning therapy into a family experience filled with laughter and encouragement.

During this time, we also attended a few DSC playgroups, which gave Cohen the opportunity to socialize, practice his new skills in a fun environment, and build confidence alongside other children. These playgroups also allowed us to connect with other families and find a sense of community.

Cohen has always loved music and Paige discovered singing was the key to keeping him engaged. She sang more songs than she probably ever imagined, each one helping Cohen stay motivated to keep trying. When Cohen eventually aged out of Early Intervention services, it was bittersweet. Paige had become so much more than his therapist — she was part of our family. To this day, we still send her videos when Cohen learns something new, because she will always be a part of his story.

Looking back, we realized that Cohen wasn’t our first connection with DSC, they had already been a part of our journey through Ellis and Oliver, who both received Early Intervention services with DSC. DSC has been there for each of our sons, supporting them through different stages and challenges. And we’re comforted knowing that DSC will continue to be there for our family in the future, ready to offer guidance, support, encouragement whenever we need it.

What stood out most about DSC was that we weren’t just receiving therapy — we were gaining a team of cheerleaders for our children. They celebrated every milestone, no matter how small, and truly understood how hard our kids worked to master each new skill. These weren’t just professionals doing a job; they became part of our extended family. They went above and beyond to ensure we all had the tools we needed to help our boys grow, thrive, and reach their goals.

Every accomplishment and milestone that Cohen meets is monumental, and we celebrate them all! Cohen has opened our eyes to a world we never knew we wanted to be a part of but now couldn’t imagine our lives without.

Sincerely,

Jason, Megan, Ellis, Oliver, and Cohen

Join our family in donating to DSC’s Tree of Hope campaign, so DSC can continue bringing hope and support to families just like ours.