Shepherds Welcomes the Davis Family

To commemorate Down Syndrome Awareness month, Shepherds welcomed Pastor Ethan and Moriah Davis of Calvary Memorial Church to speak about the complexities of raising their son, Corban, who has special needs. They feel that God prepared them to have a baby with Down Syndrome through the involvement they have had with Shepherds over the years bringing youth volunteers.

Down Syndrome is, unfortunately a disability targeted by tests that are now “standard” for pregnant women. These tests have resulted in an abortion rate of 80% to 90% for women whose tests have come back indicating a possibility of their baby having a disability. Instead of having this test, Pastor Ethan and Moriah leaned on the Lord referring to Lamentations 3:22-24 as an encouragement and a reminder in their daily life:

“It is because of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning; great is thy faithfulness. The Lord is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him.”

The temptation for them to worry about things down the road is great, but God will not give them more than they can handle. Though tomorrow has enough troubles of its own, the Lord’s mercies for that day will be new and sufficient.

When Corban was born on December 17, 2006 in Salt Lake City, he looked like any other baby, but had his share of difficulties. He weighed only 4 pounds and 7 ounces and had a narrowing of the pulmonary artery just above the valve in his heart. He spent most of his first year of life on oxygen and was in and out of the doctor’s office regularly. In March 2008, he was diagnosed with sleep apnea. When the family moved to Wisconsin in June, Corban’s pulmonologist recommended that he have another sleep study done so they would have their own records. The results indicated that he did not have sleep apnea any more. Because he is growing older and they now live at a lower elevation, his health is greatly improving. The cardiologist said that his heart defect has resolved itself, so there will be no need for any treatment. The Davis family praises the Lord for Corban’s health.

As Corban begins to grow and develop, several therapists come to the house regularly. An occupational therapist teaches things like eating with a spoon, drinking from a cup, learning shapes and colors, and putting blocks in slots. The physical therapist is currently helping Corban with walking while another therapist helps him with his speech. A teacher comes in to work with him on basic education in the form of puzzles and problem solving. Corban began signing at 7 ½ months and now knows well over 30 different signs and is constantly learning new ones. These come in very handy for communication. He knows a few words and most recently began practicing repeating the letters of the alphabet. Even though he doesn’t have as many words as other kids his age, he knows many signs and is considered within “normal” development for speech. He is progressing well, and Pastor Ethan and Moriah are pleased with his overall development.  They are thankful that he has Down Syndrome because it makes Corban who he is, and they would not want to change him in any way.