Mum's heartfelt message to celebrate son with Down syndrome

Happy World Down Syndrome Day! Particularly to all those who also have a family member rocking an extra chromosome.

Oh how we worried when Ben was first born... Would he talk? Walk? What medical issues would he have? How would it affect his brother (and then brothers!)?

Would he have friends? Could he go to mainstream school? Live independently? Were we to be carers for the rest of our lives?

READ MORE: Mum suffered PTSD after 'terrifying' birth of first son

Ten years on... Ben attends mainstream school with his brothers and LOVES it! He plays cricket and footy with his schoolmates (including filling in for under 14s!). We have been lucky that he has had no medical issues and never been hospitalised for illness.

The biggest issue with his speech is how LOUD he is and his current obsession with swearing. His love/hate relationship with his brothers is the same as they all have!

Friends? Pretty much the most important thing in his life (other than Charlie Bucket the dog and his dad!). He already has plans to move out and live with them!

READ MORE: Mum shares hilarious fake tan fail

Are the days harder sometimes because Ben has Down syndrome? Is there more work because he has a disability? Well... yes and no. Now that we have four boys, each with their own challenges, skills and needs I really don't know how much more is because of Down syndrome.

There are moments that each of them need MORE - time, support, energy. They each have their own exceptionalities and quite often Down syndrome is a smaller issue for us than some of the other gifts!

READ MORE: Mum shows hack to help your baby burp 'every time'

Down syndrome is just one part of who Ben is and I don't know how we separate his disability from who he is. It can be tough for Ben as he works SO hard to keep up with his friends, with his school work, with understanding everything.

But he is a superstar and gives it everything for the things he loves. Let's not talk about that stubborn gene when he doesn't want to do something though!

Down syndrome has given us a ticket to become part of an amazing community and meet some awesome people. It has made me more aware of ableism, of my own biases and what actually makes up a good life.

It is within my wonderful boy... who will finally let me kiss him goodnight! So 10 years on, many of those worries are gone.

There will continue to be challenges and I appreciate and thank those fighting to make the world better for our children.

But if you were to ask Ben he'd say he has a great life... although it would be better if we let him play Minecraft more!