Clara Beaton and Cutler Thompson both have Down syndrome, and their mothers grew up together. Amy Sanders, Cutler’s mother, revealed that she reconnected with Lana Beaton when she found out she was expecting a child with Down syndrome. Because they were in the same situation, the two mothers found support in one another. Aside from that, they noticed Clara and Cutler’s instant connection.
This was the beginning of 14-month-old Cutler and 17-month-old Clara’s wonderful friendship. They now attend therapy sessions twice a week and enjoy watching movies and playing tag together. It’s what Beaton and Sanders refer to as “love at first sight.” Cutler and Clara hit it off right away and are very comfortable with each other.
“It’s pretty cool to be the ‘extra Cromey club,'” Sanders said. “It’s a pretty good deal.” We’ve been extremely fortunate.” This has been a learning experience for both families. Despite the fact that the Beatons have three other children, raising Clara has been difficult for them.
“We thought we knew what we were doing because we were number four,” Lana Beaton explained. “We had our last child, and you just assume things will go the same way they always have, and they’ll sleep and eat when they sleep and eat.”
Sanders had no idea her baby would have Down syndrome when she received her birth diagnosis, but the moment she gave birth, she knew. “I was terrified at first,” Sanders admitted. “I’m sure a lot of people are because you start thinking about what-ifs.”
Despite all the challenges of raising the two toddlers; nonetheless, Sanders and Beaton were very thankful for their little bundles of joy. They were also thrilled about their growing friendship so they decided to bring them together on the same platform. “How about Facebook?” Sanders asked Beaton. “I know Facebook. She and I together, we both kind of came up with the idea and started it.”
On their first post, they already had a few hundred followers. As they continued to post photos and stories about Clara and Cutler, they garnered thousands of followers who all fell in love with the cute “besties.”
Sanders and Beaton were happy and overwhelmed by the positive responses they were getting but for them, it’s not all about likes and shares. The support and motivation they get from other people help them get through all the struggles of Down syndrome.
Strangers praise and support the two families while they are in the hospital. “People know who she is,” Beaton said. “We’re at the clinic, and ‘Oh, Clara is here!’ No one knows who I am. “I’m just Clara’s mother, but they recognize her.” People’s words of love and support for the families always warm their hearts.
Sanders said, “When we’re in the hospital, people would reach out saying ‘we’re praying for your children,’ which is pretty incredible.” Surely, these two babies with Down syndrome were brought together for a reason, and that is to inspire everybody and fill their hearts with joy.