Model Amanda Booth Shares 'Fear' About Her Son With Down Syndrome
On Monday, model and actress Amanda Booth shared a video on Instagram of her son, Micah, rock climbing. Micah has a dual diagnosis of Down syndrome and autism. In the post, Booth opened up about her “fear” for Micah’s future, which may be relatable to other parents of children with disabilities.
Booth, through her social media advocacy, openly shares about raising a child with a dual diagnosis. Her honest posts often provide encouragement to other parents who have similar experiences raising their kids with Down syndrome.
Last weekend, Booth attended the “Dear Mom Conference” where she spoke as a member of a panel. Booth said she had the opportunity to connect with other moms who have shared similar feelings to hers.
In the candid post following the conference, Booth said inclusion has provided many opportunities for people with Down syndrome, yet she fears her son may not be “capable” of some of those achievements. She shared the video of Micah rock climbing as a way to focus instead on her son’s abilities. She wrote:
This weekend I had the privilege of speaking on behalf of this marvel @lifewithmicah. One thing I openly talk about is the fear I have, inside this beautiful culture of inclusion, that even with all the opportunities for people with Down Syndrome these days (thank you parents before for all your hard work) that our son may not be “capable” of those achievements. After allowing myself to sit with those feelings, I came home, invigorated by all my new connections, and took time to focus on Micah’s unique abilities. Look at my angel going up two holds at the climbing gym. I AM SO PROUD. @mikerunt @lifewithmicah
Booth’s sentiment is one that resonated with some parents who share similar fears, which they expressed in the comments on Booth’s Instagram post.
“Those are the exact same feelings I am sitting with right now as we process a dual diagnosis,” one commenter said. “Thank you for sharing.”
Another commenter said, “You are so right to openly speak of that ‘fear’ and share so courageously here and beyond. I too carried that fear inside: silent, unvoiced and for far too long.”
“That fear is so real. But I have to remember it’s my fear. Not my son’s,” one commenter said. “It’s so hard to not think of all the worries and hardships of their future but victories are present every day.”
The commenter also thanked Booth for being open and real about her relatable emotions, saying, “It definitely proves we are not alone.”
Banner image screenshot via Amanda Booth’s Instagram
Ellen Stumbo is the founder of Disability Matters, an organization with the mission to encourage every church to embrace disability. Ellen is a national speaker who focuses on issues pertaining adoption, faith, disability and parenting kids with disabilities. Ellen writes for several online platforms including Focus on the Family, LifeWay, MomSense, Not Alone, Mamapedia, Group, The Mighty and the Huffington Post. Her writing also appears in several book anthologies. Ellen blogs at ellenstumbo.com and you can also find her on Twitter and Facebook.
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