After welcoming a baby boy with Down syndrome at the age of 43, a mom of three teenage girls was worried that her children wouldn’t be able to bond. Four years on, the loving connection between her son and his “girl gang” is stronger than she ever thought possible.
Stay-at-home mom Jennifer Hogan, 48, met her husband, 49-year-old Ryan, at church on a college skiing trip. Married for the last 22 years, the couple lives in Jacksonville, Florida, and has four children: 18-year-old twins Claire and Caitlyn, 15-year-old Caroline, and 4-year-old Hudson.
Jennifer Hogan with her three daughters and son. (Courtesy of Jennifer Hogan Jones)
Jennifer and Ryan had known that Hudson—who has been the biggest surprise of their lives—likely had Down syndrome since a 12-week prenatal test revealed a 97 percent chance. On learning the news they were devastated, however, their girls were not so concerned….