This might be repetitive (based on my prior entry with the Facebook post embedded) and is mostly for my own reference, but I still thought it was kind of awe-inducing, so I wanted to throw it out there.
The bottom line is that depending on which statistics you use, each year only 2 to 5 children in the US are born with Leah’s condition (Down Syndrome and Type A esophageal atresia).
I gathered a bunch of numbers:
Incidence of Down Syndrome in the United States: Approximately 1 in 691
Incidence of TEF/EA among individuals with Down Syndrome: 0.5% to 1%
Percent of TEF/EA cases that are Type A (long-gap, no TEF): 7% to 8%
Children born in US: 3,952,937 in 2012
Then, I mushed them all together (using 2012 birth statistics and assuming that kids with Down Syndrome and TEF/EA are no more or less likely to have Type A):
Estimated number of children born with Down Syndrome: 5,721
Estimated number of children born with both Down Syndrome and TEF/EA: About 29 (at 0.05%) to 57 (at 1%)
Estimated number of children born with both Down Syndrome and Type A TEF/EA: About 2 (at 7% Type A and 0.05% of kids with DS) to 5 (at 8% Type A and 1% of kids with DS)
Estimated number of children born with both Down Syndrome and Type A TEF/EA and two mommies: Um. Leah.
We all knew she was SPECIAL! The statistics just proved it!
It sure does scream “unfair !!!” And yes it is. But it also screams “special” and quite one of a kind family. (Remember that book ?!) Keeping you, Mandy, and Leah-la in my prayers.
THAT FACE. How could she *not* be a unique little star?
What a sweet picture it looks like she’s sticking out her tongue I love it. You go Leahbug. Your awesome girl.
Leah is the awesomest Leahbug in the world! I knew it! Could that possibly be because her Moms are the awesomest? Just saying…………..
Our daughter is the other of the two babies with Down syndrome and type A EA. I am reading through your blog now, but would love to chat with you on your experiences. Our daughter has struggled with keeping a g tube and now j tube in. I will praying for your beautiful daughters upcoming surgery.