It was 33 years ago that Wendy Hooton gave birth to a beautiful baby boy, but only three hours later she was told that he had Down syndrome which is caused by an extra chromosome. At first she was devastated by the news and the challenges her new son Matt would face. However, it didn’t take long for Hooton’s love for her newborn to start stifling the grief and she began to experience the joy her baby brought with his surprising diagnosis. 

Hooton’s experiences led her to write the book “Big People Don’t Pee in the Park – A Mother and Son’s Journey with Down Syndrome” to help other parents going through the same thing.

“I want parents to look through a window into the future,” she said. “You have these emotions that come with an unexpected diagnosis but you don’t know how to process them. I want them to realize they’re not alone in this journey.” 

October is Down syndrome Awareness Month and Hooton hopes her book will be beneficial for everyone. “This is a time to celebrate people with Down syndrome and make others aware of their abilities and accomplishments,” she said. “It's a time to unite as a community to bring awareness and focus on acceptance and inclusion.”

Hooton said the idea for the book came when she was cleaning out her parents’ home after they passed away. “In 2019 I unexpectedly lost both of my parents. I was lost standing in the driveway as stuff was taken off to goodwill. I stared at the bins and what their legacy was – like their life was over.”

That realization led her to contemplate what her legacy would be. “I would see new parents (of a child with the same diagnosis) post in social media groups,” she said. “I heard a whisper from the universe that I needed to help them. I wanted to write a book about the journey with my son.”

Life has been hard but it’s also been an amazing life, said Hooton. “Having the experiences with my son, observing him and helping him. Every day is a joy. He lives life to the fullest.”

Matt has no agenda, she said. “He just wants to be your friend. When he says ‘you’re nice’ it flips your day around.”

Hooton said her goals and dreams she had for him have had to shift. “It had to be if he could do it great, if he couldn’t do it that’s OK too. In T-ball instead of playing he would bring me a bouquet of dandelions. We tried the karate thing and bowling. He had to find his thing.”

The book has already garnered attention, Hooton said. “I’m humbled and in awe by the attention I have received.”

 Hooton has had several book signings. “My son signs them too,” she said. “He’s on this journey with me. This isn’t about me, people want to meet him. It gives them hope as their child grows up.”

One mom, whose baby is three weeks old, is going through the grieving process and read the book, said Hooton. “She said it was exactly what she needed.”

It’s not just about Down syndrome, the book has life lessons for everyone, she said. “If people look at the special needs community differently I have accomplished what I had hoped to do.”

Matt is making his mark on the world, said Hooton. “My son has taught me to live each day to its fullest. To be more kind and forgiving. I’m a better person because of him.”

“Big People Don’t Pee in the Park – A Mother and Son’s Journey with Down Syndrome” is available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Audible and anywhere books are sold online. Hooton will be having a book signing at the Layton Barnes & Noble on Oct. 5.