Rikyla Shay
My name is Erika Gearing. I am 21 years old with two children. My little girl has Down syndrome. Her name is Rikyla Shay. Rikyla was born on January 1, 2003. She is a very happy baby, and she has made my life, as well as that of my 4-year-old son, a better life.

Rikyla had heart problems, which have been surgically corrected, and she is now doing very well. She is a blessing. I did not know until she was born that she had Down syndrome. I cried and worried about her future. Rikyla is a very independent person and doesn’t want anyone to do anything for her. She loves kissing her brother and even tries to talk to him. She is just now getting her first tooth, and trying to stand up. She is truly a blessing to me. I am glad I had the Early Intervention Program to help me understand that she was going to be okay, and that she will be able to take care of herself. 

I feel if I had an organization like CMDSS come and talk to me when she was first born, I wouldn’t have been so afraid. I think that a person that has a child with Down syndrome can help another parent through the hard times. 

Erika Gearing
Website sponsored by Members of the Central Mississippi Down Syndrome Society
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