Maisy’s Tough Week and Her Brave Childhood Illness Recovery 💛
When you parent a child with Down syndrome, you learn quickly that strength comes in many forms. And this week, Maisy showed us once again just how brave, resilient, and determined she truly is.
For the past two days and nights, our little Maisy Moo has been battling a chest infection — something she’s been prone to since she was born with a low immune system, which is very common for children with Down syndrome. While lots of little ones pick up childhood illness, children with Down syndrome often face a tougher time fighting them off. Over the years we’ve learned the signs, the patterns, the tells… and the moments we can breathe, and the moments we need to drop everything and keep a very close eye on her.
When Maisy Gets Ill — Why It’s So Different
One of the hardest parts of parenting a child with Down syndrome is the unknowns during illness. Maisy has a high pain threshold, so when she cries, becomes clingy, or turns a little ratty, I know she must be feeling really poorly. This is the same little girl who will happily push through bumps, tumbles, physio sessions, and new challenges without a single complaint. So when she’s upset? It hits different. It tells us something isn’t right.
Because of her medical history and her low immune system, Maisy’s health can deteriorate quickly. Chest infections can go from mild to worrying in hours, which means we’ve spent more nights in A&E than I can count. It’s a part of parenting we’ve learned to accept — the “just in case” bag always ready, the instinct that never really switches off, and the steady whisper in the back of your mind saying: watch her closely.
The Emotional Side No One Talks About
When your child has Down syndrome, illness isn’t just physical — it’s emotional for the whole family.
There’s the worry.
The checking.
The listening for every breath.
The Googling (even when you tell yourself not to).
The guilt that sits heavy on your chest when they’re crying because you know they’re hurting but they can’t tell you how.
And yet, through all of this… Maisy still smiles. Still reaches for cuddles. Still finds pockets of joy between the symptoms. That’s who she is. That’s the beauty of her extra chromosome — a resilience wrapped in love.
A Little Light at the End of the Tunnel
After 48 hours of illness, snuggles, antibiotics, Netflix, and more Bluey than any adult should legally endure… something magical happened this morning.
Maisy perked up.
Just a glimmer at first. A cheeky smile. A tiny wave. Then a bit more energy. Then a little giggle.
And by early morning, she was dressed, ready, and excited to head back to nursery — her happy place. See her recent nursery blog here Maisy’s Big Move Up to Preschool | Down Syndrome Preschool. Seeing her through those nursery doors with her key worker greeting her with open arms felt like such a win.
We’re keeping everything crossed that she continues to recover, that this chest infection backs off, and that her little body gets the rest it deserves. Every time she gets through one of these childhood illnesses, she comes out the other side just that little bit stronger — and so do we.
Why Sharing This Matters
Talking openly about childhood illness in children with Down syndrome is so important. Not to scare anyone — but to educate, reassure, and remind parents that they’re not alone. Illness hits our children differently. Recovery hits differently too.
So if you’re a parent reading this, exhausted after a tough few days, living on caffeine, worry, and hope…
You’re not alone.
You’re doing an incredible job.
And your child, just like Maisy, is stronger than you think.