Mariaan Strauss (25) and her husband Hendrik (26) were in seventh heaven when they found out they were expecting a child. But an ultrasound scan at week 13 brought them back down to earth.
Got dead man’s face – found love
It was impossible to find the baby’s arms. The couple from Welkom in South Africa were told that it was probably best to abort the boy.
But the couple agreed to have the son.
CHARMØR: Soon little Hendré will turn one. When he gets a little bigger, he might be able to use prosthetic arms. Photo: Media Drum World Show more
Redd for mobbing
In June last year, little Hendré was born. The boy weighed 2770 grams when he was born, and both parents cried when they saw him.
– It was just so beautiful, says Mariaan.
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But then the depressive thoughts came creeping up.
– There is a lot of evil in society. I fear that our child will not be accepted – that he will be made fun of or teased, she says.
Found a cancerous tumor in the head
– The words of the specialist at the hospital were still swirling around in my head. He said that it would be selfish of us to continue the pregnancy, because the child would never be able to have a normal quality of life, says Mariaan.
CHALLENGES: Life without arms will not be easy, but Hendré will probably learn to do things with the help of his legs. Photo: Media Drum World Show more
But when Hendré smiled at them, Mariaan began to see a light in the tunnel.
– When he was three months old, he learned to roll. I realized that my child was ok, and then I was ok too.
– I don’t believe I have Down syndrome
The depression disappeared, she says.
– Today he rolls around like most toddlers. If he wants a toy on the other side of the room, he’ll get there! says papa Hendrik proudly.
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More challenges
Hendré was born with several challenges. One of his feet is bent inward, and the leg is missing a tibia.
Fortunately, Mariaan and Hendrik have a supportive family, which relieves them several times a week. They are betting that they will cope with all the challenges that life will now throw at them. Mariaan has not forgotten the specialist’s harsh words.
Tired of the role of clown
– I want others who are in the same situation to know that it can be fine to have a child who is not within the limits of what is “normal”. Hendré is the greatest gift we could have received, she says.
– Imagine that we were about to vote him out just because we were scared, says Hendrik.
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2023-08-20 16:07:13
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