When Ellie and her husband received unexpected prenatal test results, it changed everything for their family.
Doctors told the Sanazaros that their baby girl would be born with a genetic condition – the test detected an extra chromosome.
With no history of genetic conditions, Ellie and her husband were shocked. But prayerfully went through the whole pregnancy preparing their hearts and home to receive a child with special needs.
When Rosalie was born, follow-up testing revealed that there was nothing atypical. The test that claimed to be 99% accurate had been WRONG.
But that happy birth was just the beginning of Ellie’s story.
She and her husband continued to feel like God had been preparing them to be parents to a child with special needs.
And that’s the path that led Ellie and her husband Scott to Down Syndrome adoption.
A little over one year ago, Finn joined her family with the help of the National Down Syndrome Adoption Network.
Ellie shares her amazing journey to adopt Finn and all about her passion for raising inclusive children that led to writing the Image Bearer children’s book.
More About the Guest
Ellie was born and raised in St. Louis, A former first-grade teacher, and mom of 3: Rosalie, Leonie, and Finn.
In the middle of a series of long hospital stays for Finn, Ellie started work on her children’s book, called Image Bearer.
The book teaches that EVERY child is made in the image of God with an emphasis on children with disabilities and visible differences.
She hopes to help families diversify their libraries, celebrate differences, and raise inclusive kids!
We talk about
- Her pregnancy story with her first child where she received some incorrect and shocking prenatal test results and what that was like for her and her husband
- Why she and her husband decided to adopt a baby with Down Syndrome and the process they went through
- How she, her husband, and their two girls prepared to welcome a child with disabilities into their family
- Why she felt called to write Image Bearer children’s book
- How we can help our children celebrate those who are made “wonderfully different” and be more inclusive
Links & Resources
National Down Syndrome Adoption Network
More about the Gotcha Mama Podcast:
The Gotcha Mama Podcast is where we share honest stories of the joys and struggles of mom-life with young kids.
Each week host Amanda Bennett interviews a mom about topics ranging from awkwardly making mom friends, to chasing BIG dreams and finding purpose, to managing crippling anxiety and depression. You’ll hear stories from moms like you with the purpose to inspire, encourage, and entertain you.
We understand that motherhood can be lonely and make you doubt yourself. The Gotcha Mama Podcast exists to let you know that you are not alone as a busy mom of young kiddos, no matter what you’re dealing with.
The show is all about tearing down our insecurities as moms by honestly sharing our stories and a little of what we’ve learned along the way.
We believe it’s a whole lot better riding the rollercoaster of motherhood together!
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