Gage's Story

My son, Gage, will be three in April. When I was pregnant, I wanted to find out the gender of my baby and eagerly requested genetic testing to find out whether we were having a boy or girl. At 13 weeks pregnant, it was confirmed…we were having a boy! We also learned that our little boy would be born with Down syndrome. Well, this was unexpected and scary, and I hate to say it now, but, honestly, it was devastating…so I thought. Throughout my pregnancy, I prayed to God that the test result we received would be a false positive. I had failed to realize how intentional God had been with His plan for me, even as early as my childhood. Libbi Thomas was the matriarch of the Harper and Thomas family and my real-life angel. Little did I know, Libbi was paving the way for our journey with Gage. God allowed me to see the beauty of her life and spirit and made sure I experienced the overflowing joy and love that she brought to everyone’s life. Once Gage was born and he returned home from the NICU, I finally slowed down and began to see this purposeful relationship between Libbi and Gage. For the first time, I felt as though I could breathe.

Gage’s medical journey has been difficult and, at times, heart breaking, but with these struggles, Gage has instilled an abundance of growth, reverence, and inspiration in all of us. He has unwavering strength and determination. He has an incredible spirit that fills your entire heart with joy. When he smiles, babbles, or celebrates himself by clapping, I have to hold back tears of happiness. He is proof that the little things are meaningful and totally worth celebrating. I wouldn’t change a thing! “In an endless garden of flowers, I will always pick you.” AJ Lawless

Mallory's Story

Even at 6 years old, I knew the night my parents brought her home was one of the most significant nights of my life. The first prayer I remember praying was for a baby sister. And here she was – proof God heard me. While I remember the night’s festivities, I don’t remember being told Mallory had Down syndrome. I’ve come to learn that my parents didn’t receive an official diagnosis until Mallory was nearly 2 weeks old. The following years were filled with hour long drives from Dayton, TN to Chattanooga and visiting the Erlanger hospital for every therapy my mom could afford (and many she couldn’t). My parents were in the midst of a separation when they learned Mal was on the way. Her diagnosis seemed to be the cherry on top. 33 years later, as mother myself, I can’t fathom the things my mom endured as a single mother caring for 3 children, one with special needs.

We grew up in a large blended family. Both of my parents remarried a few years after their divorce. Mallory and I were the only girls in a sea of boys. Six kids to be exact. I have always considered myself her protector. Despite having brothers, I was always the one ready for a fight where Mallory was concerned (which was never required, but try telling that to an overly passionate teenager looking to teach someone a lesson).

I moved out and started my own family at a very young age. Our mom took amazing care of Mallory, and I never needed to involve myself in her daily affairs. That was my life until the most unfortunate phone call of my life in September of 2009. My husband and I had flown to Vegas for a convention, and my step-dad called to let me know I needed to hurry home. My mom had been sick for several months with a cough that was relentless but not “bad enough” for my mom to agree to go to the doctor. I’ll never understand why she put her health on the back burner for so long. I hear that’s common with parents of children with special needs (moms especially). She began having trouble breathing the night before and was taken via ambulance to the hospital. It was cancer. While it began as breast cancer, it had spread to her lungs and the fluid was rushing her airways. So much so that her left lung was collapsed and held closed with scar tissue. 

I’ll spare you the details, but our mom went downhill very quickly. Mallory was a senior in high school and due to graduate the following June. We had never talked in depth about sibling caregiving. I had never thought about supporting my adult sister without our mom ultimately being her lead advocate and providing for her needs. This was all happening way too soon. My mom was 50. Mallory was 20. I was 26. 

Mom passed away 6 short weeks after she was admitted to the hospital. Sadly enough, she died the day after Mallory’s birthday. We trudged forward and saw Mallory graduate that following June, and I made an appointment with Vocational Rehabilitation Services soon after assuming that it would be a short process to find Mallory a part time job. I was so wrong. The amount of work required to “prove” a disability (even a congenital condition like Down Syndrome) and document an individual’s IQ and therefore ability to do simple work was daunting. I left our one and only appointment lost and disappointed. I was new to sibling caregiving. I didn’t know anything about Mal’s medical history. All I knew was that she wanted to work and deserved more than what that IQ test would lead an employer to assume.

I didn’t know it that day, but our appointment at Voc Rehab would serve as the catalyst to our future business(es) and advocacy efforts. We were fortunate to find a nearby day program to help Mallory sharpen and maintain basic skills required for independent living, and in 2012 we launched Mallory Paige Designs – a jewelry brand focusing on the abilities of our friends. Each piece we design includes the initials of the person who received a commission from the transaction, as well as a charm and a tiny vial containing a mustard seed. The mustard seed has been symbolic for so many things in my life since learning the parable of the mustard seed at a young age. In Matthew 17:20, Jesus teaches that “With faith the size of a mustard seed, you can tell this mountain to move from here to there, and it will go. NOTHING will be impossible for you.” We decided that we would use Mallory Paige Designs to “move mountains for adults with disabilities.”

In the last 13+ years, Mallory has grown so much and created her own definition of a fulfilling life. She has a committed (and amazing) boyfriend of 3 years (Stephen, who also has Down syndrome) and a wonderful best friend who keeps Mallory in stitches every single day (Nicole). Mallory attends Wild and Free at the ARC of High Point and maintains a very active social life with the friends she’s made at the program. While Mallory is the only employee at Mallory Paige Designs, we have been blessed to use the lessons we’ve learned and the skills we’ve developed running a small business from our home to purchase another local small business in a nearby town. MORE NEWS TO COME on that, but for now, if you take anything from our story, it should be this:

There is no diagnosis that can predict ANY PERSON’S life. Whether there is “good news” or “sad news” delivered at birth, even the smartest medical professional fails to possess the sovereignty of God. While we love our children more than we can describe, their Creator loves them even more and promises us He has plans for their lives, too. Hold on loosely to the plans you’ve made for them. While it’s human nature to use our worldly knowledge to predict what’s next, there’s truly no telling the magnitude of God’s plan for any of us. If I could give you one piece of advice, it would be this: PRAY. It seems so simple, but it’s actually so simple that we complicate it. Pray over your child – no matter their diagnosis, typical or otherwise, God waits for you to bring your requests to Him. Our lives are proof of His faithfulness.