Jack Barr Jr. shared the story of coming to terms with his daughter Marley's Down syndrome diagnosis on <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fireport.cnn.com%2Fdocs%2FDOC-990522">CNN iReport</a>. He lives in Bangkok, Thailand, where he teaches with his wife, Jana. Click through to see more pictures of Marley and read more about her.
A family's journey with Down syndrome —
Jack Barr Jr. shared the story of coming to terms with his daughter Marley's Down syndrome diagnosis on CNN iReport. He lives in Bangkok, Thailand, where he teaches with his wife, Jana. Click through to see more pictures of Marley and read more about her.
Courtesy Jana and Jack Barr
Marley wishes her father a happy birthday. <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ndss.org%2FDown-Syndrome%2FWhat-Is-Down-Syndrome%2F" target="_blank" target="_blank">Down syndrome</a> occurs when a person has a full or partial extra copy of chromosome 21, which in turn alters the way their body develops.
A family's journey with Down syndrome —
Marley wishes her father a happy birthday. Down syndrome occurs when a person has a full or partial extra copy of chromosome 21, which in turn alters the way their body develops.
Courtesy Jack and Jana Barr
Marley enjoys having fun and playing with toys as she discovers more about her world. Jack Barr says he had a panic attack and then fell into a swirl of negative emotions when he found out about Marley's condition. At one point, he even considered leaving his family.
A family's journey with Down syndrome —
Marley enjoys having fun and playing with toys as she discovers more about her world. Jack Barr says he had a panic attack and then fell into a swirl of negative emotions when he found out about Marley's condition. At one point, he even considered leaving his family.
Courtesy Jana and Jack Barr
Over time, Jack Barr says he has grown to see things differently. Learning to embrace and love Marley was a process, but he says his daughter has taught him much about life and love.
A family's journey with Down syndrome —
Over time, Jack Barr says he has grown to see things differently. Learning to embrace and love Marley was a process, but he says his daughter has taught him much about life and love.
Courtesy Jana and Jack Barr
Jack Barr says he wonders what unborn children with Down syndrome would say if they could speak about their wishes. That led him to create a website called <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fiftheyhadavoice.org%2F" target="_blank" target="_blank">If They Had a Voice</a>. He and his wife also produced a <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DrpmLc8s4OWM" target="_blank" target="_blank">video</a> that proved popular on YouTube.
A family's journey with Down syndrome —
Jack Barr says he wonders what unborn children with Down syndrome would say if they could speak about their wishes. That led him to create a website called If They Had a Voice. He and his wife also produced a video that proved popular on YouTube.
Courtesy Jack and Jana Barr
Even a happy little girl like Marley gets sad or frustrated sometimes. Jack and Jana Barr say she is much like any other 2-year-old child.
If they had a voice ... —
Even a happy little girl like Marley gets sad or frustrated sometimes. Jack and Jana Barr say she is much like any other 2-year-old child.
Courtesy Jack and Jana Barr
Marley has a heart defect and some extra challenges, but has tested well enough to go to school and can do more than many people would expect, Jack Barr says.
If they had a voice ... —
Marley has a heart defect and some extra challenges, but has tested well enough to go to school and can do more than many people would expect, Jack Barr says.
Courtesy Jack and Jana Barr