Family Says Down Syndrome Changed Life for the Better
By: Angie Koehle
Updated: March 21, 2012
NEW ENTERPRISE, BEDFORD COUNTY -- When Scott and Wendy Zook were in the delivery room August 7th 2010, Wendy thought the emergency c-section would be the biggest surprise that day.
"I was just kind of thinking get through the surgery and it's downhill from here," Wendy said.
Scott thought the same.
"A slight change of direction, but nothing major. People have c-sections everyday," he said.
But it wouldn't be long after Zachary Chad Zook came into the world when a doctor broke the news. Zack showed signs of Down Syndrome.
"He wasn't certain that he had Down Syndrome or anything but he wanted to be sure," Scott said.
Their fears would be confirmed one week later. They thought their dreams were dashed.
"Like any couple does, we made a lot of plans and I think that's one of the things that made Zack's eventual diagnosis so hard," Wendy said.
But they soon realized their world wasn't crashing down. A beautiful new life was just beginning.
"It was something we took as a death sentence. Something so terrible and we have a great life," Wendy said.
A great life with a strong support system. For his first birthday, the couple asked that instead of gifts, donations be made online in Zack's name to the National Down Syndrome Society.
"I just remember checking the meter everyday and updating Scott," Wendy said. "Every donation was almost like someone saying I understand or I want to help."
Every day is a challenge. At 19 months old, he's now learning to walk.
"It's our normal life. It's a little bit of a variation from what we thought would be," Wendy said.
It's a climb for this family, that's rewarded in smiles and achievements every single day.
"It's not as bad as anyone thinks. It is not as bad as we thought it would be. We're really lucky," Wendy said.
To donate to NDSS in Zacks name, click here.
To watch a video made about Zack, click here.
"I was just kind of thinking get through the surgery and it's downhill from here," Wendy said.
Scott thought the same.
"A slight change of direction, but nothing major. People have c-sections everyday," he said.
But it wouldn't be long after Zachary Chad Zook came into the world when a doctor broke the news. Zack showed signs of Down Syndrome.
"He wasn't certain that he had Down Syndrome or anything but he wanted to be sure," Scott said.
Their fears would be confirmed one week later. They thought their dreams were dashed.
"Like any couple does, we made a lot of plans and I think that's one of the things that made Zack's eventual diagnosis so hard," Wendy said.
But they soon realized their world wasn't crashing down. A beautiful new life was just beginning.
"It was something we took as a death sentence. Something so terrible and we have a great life," Wendy said.
A great life with a strong support system. For his first birthday, the couple asked that instead of gifts, donations be made online in Zack's name to the National Down Syndrome Society.
"I just remember checking the meter everyday and updating Scott," Wendy said. "Every donation was almost like someone saying I understand or I want to help."
Every day is a challenge. At 19 months old, he's now learning to walk.
"It's our normal life. It's a little bit of a variation from what we thought would be," Wendy said.
It's a climb for this family, that's rewarded in smiles and achievements every single day.
"It's not as bad as anyone thinks. It is not as bad as we thought it would be. We're really lucky," Wendy said.
To donate to NDSS in Zacks name, click here.
To watch a video made about Zack, click here.
