Foreword by Peter & Deonna Tanchi, CCF

How should parents respond to the reality that they have a
child with Down syndrome? What are the issues that they will

face and how do they raise their children to reach their full
potential so as to accomplish God’s purpose for their lives?
These are the questions that Malu so honestly addresses in
her book as she shares her own journey in having and raising
her daughter Clarissa, a young adult with Down syndrome.
Her firm faith in God and His promises gives this book a
refreshing and positive perspective on receiving and raising
a child with special needs. Instead of viewing these children
as “mistakes,” Malu repeatedly and convincingly communicates
that they are to be embraced as a special blessing from
God — given to special parents to accomplish His special
purposes. And the stories she shares throughout the book
about other families of children with Down syndrome bring
hope. Truly, as Malu shows through their experiences and
her own experiences, God’s promise in Jeremiah 29:11 is
for all who will believe it. “For I know the plans I have for
you,” declares the Lord, “plans for welfare and not for calamity,
to give you a future and a hope,” (NASB).
It is for the above reasons that this is a “must read” book
for all families of children with Down syndrome. We believe it
will be helpful too to other parents of children with special needs,
and hope it will be widely read by all who share a parent’s
concern for young people challenged by disability.

Peter and Deonna Tan-Chi
Christ’s Commission Fellowship