Pregnant moms face lots of preparation for the changes ahead in their lives, from the fun of decorating a nursery to attending regular doctor’s appointments.

It was at one of those doctor’s appointments that Muriel Kanaday discovered some information that would change her life forever.

At the age of 32, in graduate school and stressing over finals, she and her husband, Jeff Kanaday, discovered that she was pregnant. “It was not a joyous time for us,” Muriel admitted. “But as the pregnancy progressed we got over that and became excited about it.”

At four months, test results revealed that her baby would have a condition known as Down Syndrome (DS). She had worried about this because she has a family history — a great-uncle and an aunt, with DS.  

According to the medical definition, Down Syndrome (DS) is a genetic condition where a child is born with an extra copy of Chromosome 21. The exact cause of the extra chromosome that triggers DS is unknown at this time. One in every 691 babies in the U.S. is born with DS, making it the most common chromosomal condition. There are more than 400,000 people living with DS in the country today.

While behavior, mental ability and physical development vary from person to person, many individuals grow up to hold jobs, live independently and enjoy normal recreational and social activities.

That has definitely been the case with Joseph Kanaday, or Jo-Jo, as most of his friends know him. “It’s so important,” said his mom, Muriel, “for people to realize what it means to a child with any kind of special needs to feel that they are part of the community. We have been so fortunate here at Fairview. His seventh-grade class is wonderful about including Joseph in everything they do.”

In fact, Joseph was recently awarded a trophy for being elected class favorite.

She encourages young people who leave home for college to make sure they carry with them the lessons they learned by knowing Joseph as they enter their adult lives. “Hopefully, if they cross paths with someone like Joseph, they will extend their friendship to that individual; let them know that they are accepted.”

The week of March 16-20 is Down Syndrome Awareness Week with National Down Syndrome Day Saturday, March 21. “Here at Fairview Elementary and Fairview Middle Schools, we are privileged to have Joseph to brighten our lives,” said Fairview Resource Teacher, April Jochum. “His mom is also our speech pathologist. Last year, she sold T-shirts to honor this day and also collected door prizes. She will draw a teacher’s name each day to receive a prize along with some DS facts.

“We have made it even bigger this year,” Jochum continued. “We have sold over 100 T-shirts, not for profit, just to pay for shirt, and Jo’s mom also has some outstanding donated door prizes from businesses and friends.”  

“Something good is going on in our school,” Jochum pointed out.

“This event is to promote awareness of individuals, like Joseph, who are a part of the community. Cullman has done some wonderful events in the past, and I hope that they continue to do so, because this is very important – it improves the quality of life for not only the individual, but the whole family.”

According to Jochum and other faculty, staff, family and friends, Joseph Kanaday is amazing. “He loves Rascal Flatts, playing ball with Cullman City Parks and Rec Department’s Therapeutic Rec, eating Mexican and hanging with his friends, which includes lots of ‘hot mommas’ as he calls them,” Jochum laughed.

Joseph says that his favorite Rascal Flatts song is “Easy”.

“He even has the same haircut as the lead singer,” laughed his mom. Joseph has been to see the popular band in concert four times. “He’s been up to the stage where they have acknowledged him, giving him drumsticks and T-shirts.”

His other passion is weather — specifically tornadoes.

“Tornadoes are very strong winds,” said Joseph. “You need to get in a safe place.” His ambition is to become a storm chaser. He and his father are scheduled to participate in a NOAA Weather Awareness “Sky Warn” training class at Brewer High School in the near future.  

“Each day is a gift, when you spend it with Joseph, all the things that seem big are really insignificant,” said Jochum. “My family and I have been blessed with Joseph’s loving, funny, sweet, and captivating life. He is just so much more than a label….he outshines any label on a daily basis in one way or another,” Jochum said.

Jochum feel that Jo’s social success is due to his parents and the fact that they have never sheltered or coddled him. “He is taken to all kinds of events just like other kids his age, and also to concerts, ball games, the beach and the mountains. He loves eating out, enjoys plays, musicals, church and movies. He rides four wheelers, and practices archery” she listed his accomplishments.

Jo is not shy and never meets a stranger; always smiling and making everyone else feel good.  

His parents have always set the bar high for him and expected Jo to have good manners, to be respectful, courteous, and polite.

Jochum thinks that she might well be a little partial to him … after all, his mom has been her best friend since they were in the second grade. “Muriel will be the first to tell you that it isn’t always fun and games,” said Jochum. “Jo is stubborn and strong willed. He is easily influenced by anything he sees or hears on TV or movies. He is a typical teen these days with his own ideas about how he wants to dress, mostly in jeans, and how to fix his hair.

“When I had my son, Muriel visited me in the hospital and did not know that she was actually pregnant with Joseph at the time — our boys are nine months apart. I felt guilty that I had a “normal” baby and she got the news officially with blood results that he had Down Syndrome,” recalls Jochum.

After the initial shock, Muriel expressed to all of her close friends who had babies, that they should not feel guilty or hesitant to share their children’s successes or milestones with her. “She wanted to hear our stories,” said Jochum, her eyes misting over. “She is just this type of person. From that moment on, our group of friends has always spent busy summer breaks, school holidays and weekends together.”

Jo has given his friends, teachers and family many happy memories over the years.

If you have a family member, or know a family affected by Down Syndrome, or someone who just found out they are having a baby with DS, contact the North Alabama Coordinator for Down’s Syndrome in the Cullman area, Muriel Kanaday, at 256-352-4915, 256-339-2614, or email Jeffkanaday@icloud.com to provide Kanaday with your mailing address for information on upcoming events for the whole family.