Jake Burger and Spouse Ashlyn Share Response to Daughter Penelope’s Down Syndrome Prognosis

MLB’s Jake Burger and his spouse Ashlyn have at all times been decided to like their children unconditionally.

On Friday, Oct. 25, the Miami Marlins third baseman and first baseman, 28, and his spouse Ashlyn welcomed their second child collectively, a daughter named Penelope, sharing the information solely with PEOPLE.

Previous to their child’s beginning, Penelope was recognized with Down syndrome, however the couple tells PEOPLE that the information did not fear them.

“Our preliminary thought on studying about her prognosis was easy, we simply checked out one another and I had stated to Ash, ‘Okay, and?’ ” Burger remembers. “Life is not meant to be straightforward, it is meant to be fulfilling and that is God’s approach of doing simply that.”

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Relatively than turning into an impediment to beat, Burger and Ashley share how studying of Penelope’s Down syndrome prognosis turned certainly one of their “greatest blessings.”

“Grieving for us was not about her prognosis, it was about how we felt that having Down syndrome shouldn’t restrict anybody’s capabilities in life,” they share.

“What appears as an insurmountable impediment often turns into one of many greatest blessings, nevertheless it’s laborious to see that amidst all of the ‘differents,’ how she navigates the world shall be completely different, how she appears shall be completely different, how her wants shall be completely different, how we assist her turn into the perfect model of herself shall be completely different, how she makes pals shall be completely different, all these little stuff you often don’t assume twice about.”

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“Totally different appears scary or daunting however that’s what makes all of us who we’re. That’s after we realized God blessed us along with her in order that we might assist others see Down syndrome the identical approach,” they inform PEOPLE.

In a sentimental put up on Instagram, the proud mother and father revealed that Burger is “the one energetic MLB participant with a toddler with Down syndrome.” Regardless, they insist, “her prognosis isn’t what defines her or her life, it’s what makes her who she is, and we wouldn’t need her every other approach.”

Whereas they have been already conscious of Penelope’s prognosis earlier than she was born, the couple did not anticipate finding such an “superb” neighborhood of fogeys who even have children with particular wants.

“The love and help we felt from our household and from these and the neighborhood with kids which have particular wants has been mind-blowing and has allowed us to really feel a way of goal,” they are saying. “We all know our journey is simply starting with our candy Penelope however realizing the love and help round us makes that simpler.”

“Our mission is to assist as many households as we are able to as we journey by way of this lovely lady and her lovely life,” Burger and Ashlyn inform PEOPLE. “God has gifted us a phenomenal soul and a phenomenal lady, and we are able to’t wait to observe her develop up and obtain every thing she desires to in life.”