It’s been a year of trials and joy for the Rollins family. On Aug. 20, 2013, they welcomed beautiful baby Brooklyn into the world. Brooklyn was born with Down syndrome. But, the family quickly rallied around her.
After sending her picture to the National Down Syndrome Society several weeks ago, mother Amber Rollins was notified that Brooklyn’s photograph would be used in a video for the 20th Flagship Buddy Walk Sept. 20, in New York City.
“That’s cool,” Amber said about finding out. “I was like, ‘Really?’ She skipped the local Buddy Walk and went straight to the national one.”
Amber, along with husband, Steven — and of course, Brooklyn — want to attend the opening ceremonies of the walk to see Brooklyn on the big screen in Times Square.
But, they need help to raise $2,000 to make the trek. So far, they have raised $275.
SCARY START
Brooklyn just celebrated her first birthday during a party last week at Faith Lighthouse Church in Plant City. The Mickey and Minnie Mouse theme is Brooklyn’s favorite. Family and friends flooded the halls of the church. At the time of her birth, no one was sure whether this day would come.
In the months leading up to Brooklyn’s birth, Rollins prepared like any other excited mother-to-be. Everything went according to the books. That was, until Brooklyn came into the world. She wasn’t breathing.
She had to be transferred from South Florida Baptist Hospital to St. Joseph’s Hospital, in Tampa, to save her life. Nurses hastily wheeled Brooklyn, in her transport bed, to Amber’s room so she could see her before she left.
It was the first time Amber saw her baby. She had no idea if it would be the last.
Later, she got a call from Steven. Brooklyn had trisomy 21, also known as Down syndrome.
“I was scared,” Amber said. “I didn’t know what it was. And I just wanted to be there. I really wanted to be there.”
After three days, Amber finally was able to join Steven at St. Joseph’s. But, it was another two weeks until she got to hold her.
“It was awesome,” Amber said.
Before she could go home, Brooklyn had to have a surgery to untwist her intestines and remove her appendix. She also was born with three holes in her heart. Two already have healed, and the last is in the process of slowly closing.
A month later, Brooklyn was finally able to come home. Her three siblings, Kaitlin, 18, Kairstin, 16, and Kodi, 13, were just as excited as the parents.
“They love her to death,” Amber said. “They think she’s the coolest cat around.”
SUPPORT SYSTEM
Life with Brooklyn has its challenges. She’s been in therapy ever since she was released from the hospital. But, she has started to army crawl.
Besides Mickey and Minnie, Brooklyn loves to swim in the pool and ride on the golf cart.
“She’s always happy, always smiling,” Amber said. “She’s more into socializing.”
Amber has been involved in raising awareness for Down syndrome, too. On National Down Syndrome Day, March 21, she brought Brooklyn and Brooklyn’s friend, Easton, who also has Down syndrome, to her Tampa Electric office in Plant City. The trio visited Amber’s co-workers and passed out pamphlets, bracelets and cake.
“It’s an eye-opener,” Amber said. “More so today, people are more open. But, a couple years ago, it was push them to the side and let them be.”
But, with many rallying around her family, including Facebook friends from around the country, Amber has seen the change.
“We have a lot of support,” Amber said. “Since the beginning.”
Contact Amber Jurgensen at ajurgensen@plantcityobserver.com.
HOW TO HELP
To help the Rollins raise money so they can attend the 20th Flagship Buddy Walk in New York City, visit gofundme.com/cvv3wc.
Down Syndrome Facts
• Down syndrome occurs when an individual has a full or partial extra copy of chromosome 21. This additional genetic material alters the course of development and causes the characteristics associated with Down syndrome.
• There are three types of Down syndrome: trisomy 21 (nondisjunction) accounts for 95% of cases, translocation accounts for about 4% and mosaicism accounts for about 1%.
• There are more than 400,000 people living with Down syndrome in the United States.
• Life expectancy for people with Down syndrome has increased dramatically in recent decades — from 25 in 1983 to 60 today.
• Down syndrome is the most commonly occurring chromosomal condition. One in every 691 babies in the United States is born with Down syndrome.
Source: National Down Syndrome Society