BabyGym and a rare form of Down Syndrome known as Mosaicism

By Melanie Goff |

I remember so clearly the day I first heard that my baby daughter might have Down syndrome. She was four months old, and I innocently asked the clinic nurse why her little tongue was constantly protruding from her mouth. The nurse took the opportunity to suggest that we should perhaps consider having her tested.

My world fell apart in that moment because I could immediately see that she might be right. The tests were done and came back negative, but the doctor explained that she could possibly have a rare form of Down syndrome known as mosaicism.

Regardless of the diagnosis, I knew that I simply had to face the challenges that lay before us. God had entrusted her to me for a reason, and I resolved to do everything within my power to help her reach her full potential. I read everything I could get my hands on, and eventually I discovered an incredible programme called BabyGym, which I would love to tell you about.

By the time Bethany was eight months old, I enrolled in the five-week Firm Foundations course, and I noticed a difference almost immediately. Up until then, I had been exhausted and frustrated, simply trying to survive one day at a time.

During the first week, I learned how to give a proper baby massage. This encouraged me to bond with Bethany in an entirely new way, and I, as her mother, could feel the gears of my heart change—from survival mode to victory mode.

As I discovered the benefits of baby massage, I was amazed by the powerful impact that loving touch can have on a baby. I helped her become more aware of her hands, feet, arms, and legs; I helped prevent tactile defensiveness from developing; and I taught her how to relax.

Week after week, Bethany and I faithfully continued with BabyGym, and I could hardly believe how quickly she responded to the activities I had learned. Each week we focused on stimulating a different sense, and the week we worked on vision was truly remarkable.

Until then, it had always felt as though I simply couldn’t reach her. They say the eyes are the windows to the soul, and in her case it seemed as though those windows were only slightly open. During that week of visual stimulation, however, it felt as though a light had switched on in her brain, and for the very first time I felt that I had truly connected with her.

That experience convinced me beyond doubt that BabyGym works, and I decided that I wanted to learn more. More importantly, I wanted to help every mother who found herself in the same situation I had been in. I therefore decided to become a BabyGym Instructor. The world that opened up to me was incredible and empowered me to do far more for Bethany than I had ever imagined possible.

Bethany still attends neurodevelopmental physiotherapy. However, I know that everything I invested, together with the guidance BabyGym provided, has been completely worthwhile whenever her therapist tells me how alert, well-integrated, and developmentally organised she is.

Every day I see her making progress, and I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude for the enormous contribution BabyGym has made to her life. Through our experience with various therapies, I have come to appreciate how thoroughly researched the BabyGym programme is, as so many of its principles and activities are reflected in the therapies we have encountered. It is also a wonderful support programme for parents because it empowers you to continue using appropriate movement and sensory stimulation at home, strengthening the bond between you and your child.

To date, Bethany has achieved every developmental milestone, although later than expected. At two and a half years old, she is slightly behind her peers, but she functions very well and is able to keep up with them in many ways. I believe that without the help of BabyGym, our journey would have been far more difficult. I am deeply grateful to BabyGym and to all the therapists who have helped us reach this point in Bethany’s life.