She is 'My World'!

We were told there was a chance that Cath and I could have a baby with Down's syndrome due to the problems she was having with her pregnancy. This was initially quite worrying but soon passed as the clock ticked down towards the birth date. We never even considered the amnio, just like not knowing the sex of our child as this we felt was like flying in the face of god.

The birth was unusual to say the least. On the night of Good Friday 9th April 2004, Cath's waters broke on the way to the hospital so we went to the local ambulance station as Cath was afraid she wouldn't hang on. This proved to be correct when the ambulance had to pull over near my beloved Anfield. The two paramedics, who I will ever be indebted to, kept us both calm, me especially as this was my first child, then what seemed like seconds our child was born. We were then told we were the proud parents of a baby boy, so we thought! Cath was then rushed into the hospital were both Cath and our new born was given a clean bill of health. Our baby had never been out of a blanket from the ambulance. We immediately named our baby Luke and were quickly told by the midwife quite hilariously it wasn't a boy but a little girl. It turned out it was the paramedic's first experience of delivering a baby. Cath then named our beautiful girl Neve.

As I said Neve was passed fit and healthy not just on the night but also the following day by a junior doctor other than a slight bit of jaundice. All the worry and fears we had throughout the pregnancy were all over, but that was soon to change again when one of the midwives alerted a doctor about her fears.

Receiving the news that Neve had Down's syndrome was devastating. We were obviously angry with the hospital and the usual question you ask yourself, 'Why us?'. We soon realised with the help of both our families that we had a lot to be thankful for. Neve has very little health problems except a slight heart defect. She is such a character, she is stubborn and very strong willed and mischievous but extremely funny. She loves Barney, music and dancing, from the Beatles and Tom Jones to the Pussy Cat Dolls and Coldplay. There's not a day that passes were she doesn't have you laughing, she is very infectious with everyone including strangers. Both her teenage brothers, Callum and Niall are absolute stars with her; they are extremely proud and protective of Neve, even educating people in the process with their experiences of their little sister.

We both still have our weepy moments, but not for long, it's impossible with a little star like Neve. Cath has been and always will be a brilliant mother, she has the gentle touch where as I am the one who roughs Neve up, much to Cath's disappointment of course! She is a true friend to Neve; she dresses her up so gorgeous even though it sometimes takes ages to catch her as she runs around the room to escape her hair getting brushed.

If I had the time over, I can't thing of one thing I would change about Neve, she is living proof that no matter what life throws at you there is always something good to come out of it, and in our case it is our beautiful daughter Neve. Every time Neve reaches another milestone, a step, a word, a sign or a new dance move, the joy that brings me could never equal any other feeling in the world and makes me realise even more how things that come natural to other children, you really do take for granted.

With her 5th birthday fast approaching I feel very blessed to have a daughter like Neve. I know the future will be filled with more happiness and laughter than I can ever imagine. She truly is "my world"!

The attached photo makes me so proud every time I see it. It was taken at my brothers recent wedding day where Neve was bridesmaid.

John from Liverpool.