Elijah’s Story: 15 Years on

My name is Holly, and back in 2010 I discovered I was pregnant with my third child, just two months after giving birth to my daughter.

Because their father has a balanced chromosome translocation (18:21), I knew there was a higher chance of complications. I had a CVS test at 11 weeks, and when the results came back, I was completely devastated. The geneticist explained that my baby had an unbalanced translocation involving chromosomes 18 and 21 — meaning he had too much of one and not enough of the other. I was told he was missing a significant part of chromosome 18.

The prognosis I was given was very bleak. I was told he would have severe disabilities and might not live very long. Termination was suggested.

But deep down, I felt they were wrong. I can’t fully explain it, I just knew. So I chose to continue with my pregnancy.

Elijah was born at 37 weeks, weighing 5lbs 7oz. The birth itself was difficult, as I had pneumonia at the time, and shortly after he was born, Elijah became unwell and was taken to the special care baby unit. Seeing him surrounded by machines and wires was incredibly hard.

But he was strong. He made a full recovery, and after three weeks, we were finally able to bring him home.

Elijah was born with several medical challenges. He had an enlarged kidney and bladder, a hole in his heart, and a condition called left artery stenosis. He also required keyhole surgery after doctors discovered he had only one testicle.

Amazingly, over time, many of these concerns resolved on their own. The hole in his heart closed, his heart healed, and his kidney and bladder returned to normal. To this day, I’m not sure how, but I am incredibly grateful.

At the age of two, Elijah was diagnosed with autism, another part of his journey that we have learned to navigate together.

Today, Elijah is 15 years old. He is 6 foot 1 and still growing, incredibly strong, full of life, and my absolute joy. He attends a special school, can read, and while he doesn’t write with a pen, he can text. He talks and sings all the time and has the happiest spirit.

He loves to run and spin, watch YouTube, and play with cars. He absolutely adores his sister, who was born just 10 months and 3 weeks before him.

Elijah has taught me so much, how to be patient, how to be strong, and how to fight for the support and services he needs, even when it’s not easy. It can be a struggle at times, but I wouldn’t change him for the world.

He is funny, loving, and truly one of a kind.

He is my pride and joy.

He is Elijah 💙