Unexpected Joys on the Scenic Route with Down Syndrome

Julie McConnel was in her mid-40s and hoping for a little girl to complete her family. Instead, she learned she was expecting fraternal twin boys — both with Down syndrome. Julie shares her grief over the prenatal diagnosis, her fears about whether she and her husband could handle raising twins with Down syndrome, and the period of genuine uncertainty about whether to parent. And she shares how she now couldn't imagine her life without Charlie and Milo. Julie has become a vocal advocate for the Down syndrome community, documenting their family's life on social media as @chucklesandmeatloaf and working to help other families facing a new diagnosis understand what this life can really look like.