PLAIN CITY, Ohio — A mother’s intuition is a very real thing. Patricia Schweinfurth was already a mom of four when she became pregnant with baby Joseph. She already knew what to expect when expecting. But this time, she had a hunch something was different.
“I just had this reoccurring daydream or image or vision of a little boy with Down syndrome winning a wrestling match and his brother celebrating with him,” she recalled.
The Schweinfurth’s are a wrestling family. Dad is a wrestling coach. This vision seemed very real. But when she told her mother and others that she thought this child would have Down syndrome, they told her to stop worrying, everything was fine.
At 36 weeks pregnant, Patricia believed her visions were telling her something and her instincts were correct. A blood test and a call from her doctor would later confirm her suspicions.
“He told me, 'I’m sure your child has Down syndrome',” Patricia said. “He was so loving. He said this child is going to have a wonderful life and he is such a gift.”
But even with the visions she describes as beautiful and her doctor’s words of encouragement and support, she couldn't help but cry after the diagnosis was confirmed.
“Tears of fear. You know, is my child going to be OK? Tears of insecurity, like, how am I going to do this?” she said.
Her husband, Ron Schweinfurth, tells 10TV he wasn’t really shaken by the news. He says Patricia is more of a dreamer and a big picture kind of person so she was thinking about the future and all the things that could happen.
“For me, I knew that he was healthy and so, we wanted to have a healthy baby, and he was a healthy baby. He might be a little different, but everybody’s different,” said Ron.
Ron then went online and started Googling. That’s when he discovered DSACO, the Down Syndrome Association of Central Ohio. He and Patricia contacted DSACO and were relieved to get the support they needed. They were welcomed into the DSACO family with a gift for their new baby boy. They received encouragement, resources, information on programs that were offered and Down syndrome community events. That was just the beginning.
“Through all of that, by the time Joseph arrived we felt ready, and we were able to just be full of joy,” Patricia said.
“We have four other children that we’ve managed difficulties with too. Whatever comes our way we’ll have the grace to handle it,” Ron added.
Joseph is now six months old and thriving. His siblings love to play with him and help take care of him. They love their new baby brother. They don’t see him differently in any way.
As part of the DSACO family, the Schweinfurth’s are excited to participate in their very first Columbus Buddy Walk. It’s DSACO’s annual fundraising event that celebrates the Down syndrome community here in central Ohio. Many of their families look forward to this event all year long.
Meeting other DSACO families has given the Schweinfurth’s a look into their future with Joseph. They’ve met other children and adults with Down syndrome. They’ve seen all the wonderful things these other people have been able to achieve, the different milestones they’ve reached, and know Joseph will be able to as well.
This year’s Buddy Walk will take place on Sunday, Sept. 29 at Fortress Obetz. You can find out more on how to join the walk, volunteer or just donate by clicking here.
“He’s my wonder,” Patricia says about baby Joseph. “He just makes me wonder about the goodness of God and we’re just so lucky to have him. I can’t imagine my life without him.”