Embracing the Unexpected: Christiana Thiessen’s Down Syndrome Journey of Love and Resilience

Mary sits down for an enlightening conversation with Christiana Thiessen, a courageous Canadian who along with her husband moved to Jordan to assist with the Syrian refugee crisis.  Just a year and a half later, Christiana discovered she was pregnant with her first child.  Joy quickly turned to uncertainty when she learned that her baby would be born with Down syndrome.  Facing this challenge in a foreign country was daunting.  

Yet , Christiana's journey to acceptance was swift and profound.  Within 24 hours of receiving the diagnosis, she embraced her baby's future with unwavering love.  Despite facing skepticism from doctors and advice to return to Canada due to limited support for her baby in Jordan, Christiana and her husband made the brave decision to relocate back to Canada within six days of receiving their baby's diagnosis.

In her conversation with Mary, Christiana shares a powerful message: a Down syndrome diagnosis is not the end of the world.  Instead, it opens up a path of different, yet equally meaningful experiences.  Her story is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the boundless power of love and acceptance.