When Jodi and Matt Parry learned they were expecting twins, their excitement quickly turned into anxiety after the premature birth of their daughters, Abigail and Isobel. After a month in the neonatal intensive care unit, the couple received unexpected and heartbreaking news—both girls were diagnosed with Down syndrome, a rare occurrence for twins. Instead of offering comfort, the doctor delivered the news by saying, “I was sorry that Abigail and Isobel both have Down’s syndrome,” a phrase that deeply hurt Jodi and has stayed with her ever since.

Jodi recalls that hearing the word “sorry” immediately made everything else the doctor said feel meaningless. Overwhelmed by fear and uncertainty, she and Matt were left with no support or guidance. Their minds filled with worst-case scenarios: Would their daughters ever walk or talk? Would they ever live independent lives? It felt, as Jodi later wrote, like “a life sentence,” and the couple was haunted by the idea that they might be lifelong caretakers without any clear path forward.

Looking back, Jodi and Matt believe their despair could have been eased if the diagnosis had been delivered with empathy and understanding. They didn’t need complex medical explanations—they needed to know what daily life with Down syndrome might look like. Matt expressed this frustration plainly, saying, “I don’t care biologically about the girls. All I mind is – Will they walk? Will they talk? Will they interact?” But the medical staff failed to offer this reassurance, leaving the couple to navigate their grief and confusion on their own.

Today, their lives have changed in ways they never imagined. Jodi and Matt are now thriving as a family of five, raising their eldest son Finn alongside the twins, who are full of life and personality. Their early fears have been replaced with pride and joy. The twins have shown remarkable persistence, and Jodi sees no difference between them and their brother. She wishes she could show that same doctor how far Abigail and Isobel have come and ask him, “Why did you say sorry?”—because now, she wouldn’t change a thing about her daughters.

Their journey serves as a powerful reminder of how crucial compassion is in medical care. A diagnosis can be life-altering, but it should never define a child’s potential or dictate how a family begins their journey. The Parry family’s story proves that love, support, and the right information can transform fear into strength. They are living proof that a diagnosis is not the end—it’s the beginning of a different, but equally beautiful path.