Many people face questions and judgment when it comes to having children. Society often pressures couples to follow a traditional path—marriage, career, then kids. Those who don’t want children are questioned, while couples who are seen as “different” can face even harsher criticism when they decide to become parents. More than 20 years ago, Patti White from California learned her daughter Lisa was pregnant. Lisa has Down syndrome, a condition that affects physical and cognitive development, yet many people with Down syndrome live independently, work, and maintain healthy relationships.
Still, it’s rare for men with Down syndrome to father children, so Patti never expected to become a grandmother. At 29, Lisa had her own apartment, worked full-time at Goodwill, and was in a committed relationship with a man who also had Down syndrome. Despite assumptions that pregnancy was unlikely, Lisa called her mother with the surprise news: she was expecting a baby.
While Lisa’s family supported her, outsiders criticized her decision, questioning her ability to parent. Her pregnancy was considered high-risk, but she attended classes, received coaching, and handled the typical challenges of pregnancy. Her son Nic was born four weeks early and also had Down syndrome. His father passed away when Nic was five, leaving Lisa and Patti to raise him together.
Nic, now 24, has grown into a confident young man and a college graduate. He speaks lovingly of both his mother and grandmother, crediting them for his success. Their story is a powerful reminder that love, commitment, and support—not society’s expectations—define a family.