When she gave birth, Kerry Robles felt “scared” that her life was over when her son Hanaki was born with Down’s syndrome. 13 years on, Kerry’s attitude couldn’t be more different and the doting mum says that her son is the best thing that has ever happened to her.
Here, Kerry, 45, speaks to OK! about being a mum to Hanaki, challenging stereotypes and why actress Sally Phillips’ recent interview about her own son Olly, who has Down's syndrome, resonated with her… “Finding out Hanaki had Down's syndrome felt like being plunged into this whole new world.
We got a postnatal diagnosis and only found out when he was born, so I think it was just the shock of it all. I didn't know anybody with Down's syndrome, I just had these stereotypes in my head which I now know are a complete fallacy, but at the time I was so ignorant of all of it.
I was really scared that my life was over. But then that all changed. It didn’t happen overnight, I admit. I struggled with postnatal depression for quite a while, but seeing Hanaki go from being this little baby to a five month old who was developing his own character made me realise he was just a baby like any other baby.
Read more on ok.co.uk