Dad had the most powerful response to people calling his daughter born with Down syndrome a 'mistake'

Children who have special needs are looked down upon by many in society. While they have talents and unique abilities of their own, it is sidelined due to their condition. Parents are often heartbroken, not because of their child’s condition but due to society’s dismissive attitude towards them. American singer Rory Feek had a beautiful baby girl, Indiana, in 2014, per TODAY. The girl has Down syndrome and for many years, the dad constantly experienced family and loved ones looking down on Indiana or treating her differently because she was a special child. In his blog post, since removed, the singer shared a powerful response to the critics. 

Rory had a daughter with his wife, Joey, who later passed away from cancer. Raising his daughter with Down syndrome has not been an easy ride, but he calls it a gift. He often shares moments with his daughter, now 11, on social media and expresses how she transformed his life. In his now-deleted blog post, the singer recalled how many relatives and friends always shared sympathies after the birth of Indiana as if it were a thing to grieve through. “The world has told us that they are less. A mistake. But I don’t believe they are. At least I know Indiana’s not,” he noted, per WRTV. “Almost everyone said the same thing—‘I’m so sorry.’ That’s such a strange response to the birth of a child,” the singer remarked. He added that maybe their response came from confusion or not knowing what to say.

“I didn’t and don’t think anything negative about their responses. I probably would’ve said the same thing in their shoes,” he confessed. Rory pointed out, “It’s what society has told them – told all of us: ‘Awe, you didn’t get a regular baby…you got something less…a burden that will last a lifetime.’ And I get it.” Nevertheless, the birth of his daughter was in no way a burden. When they were given a diagnosis of Down syndrome for their daughter, they accepted it. "When she was born, Joey and I said, ‘This is the child God wants us to have,' and we believed it. And we were right,” he proudly remarked.

Rory called out the stereotypical views of society and said that such sympathizing perspectives were “wrong.” He mentioned that his daughter is a gift to him and, like every other child, she is also unique. Speaking about different progress kids make, the dad said, "Some learn faster, some slower. Some are silent and some are vocal. Some crawl and walk earlier than others, and some, like Indy…take their time. But they are all beautiful. All gifts from heaven above." Looking back, especially at the time his wife was still with them, the dad is delighted to have had Indiana enter their lives just the way she is.

In one of his posts, he shared a quote from a book titled "Velveteen Rabbit" by Margery Williams, which Indiana was seen holding, "'Real isn’t how you are made,' said the Skin Horse. 'It’s a thing that happens to you. When a child loves you for a long, long time, not just to play with, but really loves you, then you become real.'" Alongside the post was a picture of the gleaming Indiana, the definition of love to Rory. "I cannot imagine Joey not having those two years to be a mama to Indiana and get to experience the love and happiness that Indy brought to her," he wrote. Concluding poignantly, the dad said, “God knew that and that’s why he made it so.” Rory shared a glimpse of his daughter on Instagram. Little Indiana is seen sitting on his lap, giggling away as she adds to the joy on her father’s face. “She is the smile on the face of a father who should be crying. She is the joy in the life of a family that should be filled with sadness,” he wrote.

You can follow Rory Feek (@roryfeek) on Instagram for more content on parenting and Down syndrome.