ThatsLife
  • WIN
  • News
  • Real Life
  • Food
  • Lifestyle
  • Pets
  • Your Stars
  • Puzzles
  • Podcasts
  • Video
ThatsLife
  • WIN
  • News
  • Real Life
  • Food
  • Lifestyle
  • Pets
  • Your Stars
  • Puzzles
  • Podcasts
  • Video
Subscribe
  1. Home
  2. Real Life

Gorgeous George! My miracle baby after 13 years

'I wouldn't have it any other way' - by Kathryn Lewsey
  • 04 Apr 2019
Gorgeous George! My miracle baby after 13 years

My heart thudded in my chest excitedly, as I glanced at the two blue lines on the test. How is this possible? I thought.

Here, Cassandra Dinkelman, 45, tells the story in her own words.

For 13 painful years I’d tried for a baby with no success so I thought I couldn’t fall pregnant. And now, the one thing I had always wanted was finally happening. But I’d broken up with my partner and I was leaving the UK,where I was living, to return home to Australia.

Together we came to a mutual agreement that he’d come over to visit the baby, but I’d raise our kid.

‘It’s just you and me now,’ I whispered down at my belly as I got on the plane.

Back at home, bursting with happiness, I told my family the good news. Then at 13 weeks I happily headed to hospital for a scan. But afterwards I was called in for a follow-up appointment.

‘There’s a high chance your baby has Down syndrome,’ the specialist said. ‘I’m going to refer you for more tests.’

The results confirmed there was a 99 per cent chance my baby would have the condition, which causes developmental and intellectual delays.

I broke down sobbing, grieving for the future I’d imagined for my little girl or boy.

‘We can offer a termination if it’s something you’d like,’ the doctor said, gently.

My mind was torn as I tried to decide what was best and fairest for my child.

At 20 weeks, another scan revealed the baby had other complications.

‘There’s a small bubble in the baby’s stomach. It might indicate there’s no connection between the oesophagus and tummy, which means they won’t be able to swallow,’ the doctor explained.

He's my miracle baby

He's my miracle baby

They also suspected there was excess fluid on the bub’s brain, which could cause it to be severely disabled.

‘We could argue that termination is necessary,’ a nurse told me.

My heart sank, I already loved my baby so much, but I still couldn’t decide what to do.

‘I’m worried about the baby’s quality of life,’ I admitted to a specialist.

Smiling, she put her hand on my arm. ‘I’ve worked with adults with special needs, they can have independent lives,’ she said. I felt instant relief.

‘Even though this is not what you imagined, I promise you this will be the most amazing journey,’ she said. They were the words I needed to hear. I was going to keep my baby.

Because of the other complications, I’d been warned my baby might not survive.

Strolling on the beach, I’d rub my bump and will my bub to live.

George weighed just 1.17 kilos

George weighed just 1.17 kilos

‘Come on baby, you need to be strong,’ I’d say. ‘I promise you we’ll have the best life together and explore the world.’

As the due date edged closer, I was moved to accommodation near the hospital so they could closely monitor the baby.

At 33 weeks, my doctor said the baby’s heart rate had dropped and I was booked in for a caesarean the next day. As my baby was plucked into the world, the midwife told me it was a precious boy. Then he was whisked away to be assessed before I even got to see him.

Thankfully, they discovered there was a connection between his stomach and oesophagus, and the fluid on his brain wasn’t as bad as feared.

Weighing just 1.17 kilos, he was in an incubator the first time I met him. I’d decided to name him George.

‘Hello my darling,’ I said, holding his tiny hand.

George

George’s battle wasn’t over yet though, as he had to endure operations to remove his adenoids and tonsils and fix the fluid on his brain. But he was here and he had survived. He truly was a miracle boy.

After 56 days in hospital, I got to take him home. As he grew, he had such a cheeky smile and an infectious giggle.

At 12 months, he was holding his own bottle.

‘Well done, my clever boy,’ I’d tell him, causing him to break into a huge grin.

Now four, my gorgeous George is the love of my life. I was so ill-informed about Down syndrome before George arrived and had always imagined that he’d be miserable and unable to enjoy life. But now I know just how wrong that was.

He adores music and his face lights up whenever the Wiggles come on TV.

George is learning to walk with a frame and working with a speech therapist to develop his babbles into talking. And my aim is to make sure he’ll be independent enough to live by himself when he grows up.

George has such a cheeky smile

George has such a cheeky smile

George adores music

George adores music

Life as a single parent is exhausting, but I wouldn’t have it any other way.

I want everyone to know that having a child with Down syndrome doesn’t mean it’s the end of the world. There’s a tribe of us parents who are always dishing out advice and encouragement to each other. And when my loving boy touches his elbows signing for his umpteenth cuddle of the day, I tell him, ‘I’m so glad you chose me to be your mummy.’

Read more in this week's issue of that's life, on sale now.

WATCH... Aussie couple deliver baby in hallway:

  • Real Life
  • Parenting
Kathryn Lewsey
Kathryn Lewsey
Kathryn is a Senior Features Writer for that's life! magazine. Her work has been published in The Sun, Daily Mail, Chat, Closer, Kidspot, Real People, Take a Break and MarieClaire.com.au

Subscribe to That's Life!-+ save!

Subscribe to That's Life!

Subscribe Now
Subscribe to That's Life!

Subscribe to That's Life!-+ save!

Subscribe to That's Life!

Subscribe Now
Subscribe to That's Life!

Recommended to you

There's A Better, Faster Way To Predict Sepsis
Watch 0:37

There's A Better, Faster Way To Predict Sepsis

{headline}

{headline}

Sweet Gwen: Extra cute, extra special, EXTRA JOY!

Sweet Gwen: Extra cute, extra special, EXTRA JOY!

Miracle baby born not breathing for seven minutes came back to life

Miracle baby born not breathing for seven minutes came back to life

Mum of identical twins with Down syndrome was offered an abortion six times

Mum of identical twins with Down syndrome was offered an abortion six times

I had my tubes tied… then got a surprise!

I had my tubes tied… then got a surprise!

{headline}

{headline}

Told I’d never be a mum – then a miracle happened!

Told I’d never be a mum – then a miracle happened!

Mum’s amazing story: My premmie baby was saved by a sandwich bag

Mum’s amazing story: My premmie baby was saved by a sandwich bag

Miracle baby alive after being dumped in storm drain

Miracle baby alive after being dumped in storm drain

{headline}

{headline}

Why I gave my babies to a stranger

Why I gave my babies to a stranger

Ovarian cancer survivor tells: My sister was my surrogate

Ovarian cancer survivor tells: My sister was my surrogate

Miracle baby born the size of a coke can

Miracle baby born the size of a coke can

Twice the height, double the LOVE!

Twice the height, double the LOVE!

Single man adopts baby with Down Syndrome who was rejected by 20 families

Single man adopts baby with Down Syndrome who was rejected by 20 families

My dad has Down Syndrome - and I couldn't love him more

My dad has Down Syndrome - and I couldn't love him more

How Down Syndrome helped me find love

How Down Syndrome helped me find love

ThatsLife
  • Gold Club
  • Online Entry FAQ
  • About Us
  • Subscribe Today
  • Contact Us
  • Terms
  • Competitions
  • Privacy Policy
ThatsLife Magazine Subscribe
  • Gold Club
  • Online Entry FAQ
  • About Us
  • Subscribe Today
  • Contact Us
  • Terms
  • Competitions
  • Privacy Policy

Brands

  • New Idea
  • Who
  • Girlfriend
  • Practical Parenting

Our Network

  • Better Homes and Gardens
  • BHG Shop
  • marie claire
  • Beauty Crew
  • New Idea food
  • Women's Weekly Food
  • Bounty Parents
  • Home Beautiful
  • All Recipes
  • 7plus
  • 7News
  • Sunrise
  • Starts at 60
  • The West Australian
  • Perth Now
  • 7mate
  • 7Sport
  • Hard to Find
© 2022 Are Media PTY LTD
All products are independently selected, tested or recommended by our team of experts.If you buy something, we may earn an affiliate commission.
Get more from

Magazine Subscription Offer

Subscribe to That's Life!-+ save!

Shop This Offer
Subscribe to That's Life!