Iron Will: A Life Worth Celebrating
By Cathy Daub
When my son Will was born, my husband gave him the nickname "Iron Will." It was fitting then, and it’s even more fitting now. From the moment of his conception, he has defied the odds, proving to be one of the strongest souls I’ve ever known. And yet, what stands out most about Will isn’t his resilience—it’s his ability to love without hesitation, to embrace the world with a kindness that is both disarming and transformative.
At 48 years old, I never expected to be pregnant again. After multiple miscarriages and being told I would likely continue to miscarry until menopause, the idea of carrying a child to term seemed impossible. But God had other plans. At 12 weeks, we received a blood test result that told us two things: our baby was a boy, and he had a 99% chance of having Down syndrome.
The diagnosis was shocking, but what followed was even more so. Unlike our other children, Will’s birth came with a medical microscope pointing out every potential future problem—epilepsy, heart conditions, autism, etc. No one does that with a typical baby. The world was quick to point out what might be "wrong" with Will. But now, four years later, I can say with certainty: the world is missing it.
The problem isn’t Down syndrome. The problem is that society doesn’t see the intrinsic value of children like Will.
Over 60% of children with Down syndrome in the U.S. are aborted. Right now, only about 6,000 are born annually. This means thousands of families are missing out on the joy of knowing someone like Will.
When Will was born, he had already beaten the odds. He survived an emergency abdominal surgery I needed at 24 weeks pregnant. He survived a birth in which his umbilical cord was wrapped around his neck three times. It’s even a miracle I carried him full term after 8 previous miscarriages.
Will was born a fighter. But what I didn’t realize then was that he would teach me how to fight for something even greater—the truth that his life, and the lives of so many like him, are beautiful.
Yes, Will learns things a little more slowly. He walked later. He talked later. But what he excels in—the things that truly matter—he is light years ahead. His capacity for empathy, his ability to love unconditionally, his persistence in pursuing joy in others—these are things I am still trying to learn as his mother.
If we walk into a store, it doesn’t matter if someone is having a bad day—Will will greet them with a smile, and he won’t stop until he gets one back. He has a way of breaking down barriers, of reaching people at their most human level. And I see now that we, as a society, are missing out by expecting some kind of cookie-cutter mold of a perfect human. There is no perfect child. There is no perfect life. But there is beauty in every single one.
We have eight children, and each of them faces their own challenges. Life doesn’t guarantee perfection for any of us. And yet, when people hear a Down syndrome diagnosis, they react with fear, as if it’s a tragedy. But here’s the truth: Down syndrome is not a tragedy. It is a gift.
We started Team Iron Will because we want the world to see what we see—that this life, Will’s life, is worth celebrating. That people with Down syndrome are not less. That their humanity is not diminished by a disability. Will does have a disability. I am not afraid of that word. But it does not define him, nor does it lessen the impact he has on the world around him. If anything, he has shown us what true strength looks like.
He has endured more medical procedures in his four years than most of us will in a lifetime. And yet, after each one, he hugs the doctors and nurses—because he is more concerned about them than himself. That’s Iron Will. That’s my son. And that’s why we will never stop sharing his story. Because the world needs more of what he has to give.
For those who have eyes to see, Down syndrome is not something to be feared. It is something to be embraced. It is beautiful. And it is worth fighting for.
About Team Iron Will
The Daub family has created an organization called Team Iron Will with a vision of a world in which all human beings with Down syndrome are treated with respect, dignity, and love at every stage of life. A world where they are not required to prove their value, defend their existence, or fight for access to opportunity. The organization offers assistance to families of children with Down syndrome by helping with medical and therapy equipment, educational and therapy resources, training, and more. Donations go directly toward helping families in the Down syndrome community when they need it the most.
