When Nicole Powell and JJ Grieves were preparing to welcome their fifth child, doctors were uncertain if the baby would ever be able to lead a “normal” life.
Tests showed that Tripp had Down syndrome, along with other health problems, but his parents knew they wanted to keep the little one. From the second Tripp was born, he has brought nothing but love and joy into their lives!
The Cabot, Arkansas, family has since become an ambassador for people living with Down syndrome. They are hoping to remove stigmas and show everyone how loving and capable people with Downs are. That’s why Nicole runs a Facebook group called “Team Tripp,” where she shares pictures, videos, and thoughts on raising a child with Down syndrome.
“He’s the same as the rest of us,”the mom said. “He just takes a little longer to learn, a little more caring, a little bit more loving, but isn’t that what the world needs?â€
One person who has always been in Tripp’s corner – even before he was born – is their oldest son Rayce. Nicole said Rayce “never skipped a beat” when they told him his new sibling would have Down syndrome. When they explained that Tripp would be different, Rayce simply asked, “But aren’t we all different?”
The two brothers have been inseparable ever since Tripp was born! Rayce has always loved the song “10,000 Hours” by Dan + Shay and Justin Bieber, and he decided it was “Tripp’s song.”
In a beautiful video Nicole shared online, Rayce sings the song to his brother so sweetly that we can feel the love right through the screen.
“This is how Rayce bonds with Tripp. He sings to him all the time. He swears this song is about him and his brother,”Nicole wrote. “A year later and the feelings have only grown stronger for these two!”
The lyrics fit the brothers’ relationship perfectly:
I’d spend 10,000 hours and 10,000 more if that’s what it takes to learn that sweet heart of yours. I might never get there but I’m going to try. If it’s 10,000 hours or the rest of my life, I’m going to love you.
The video of Rayce gently caressing his brother’s face while he sang along to “Tripp’s song” went viral! Nicole took the opportunity to reach out to other parents who are worried about having a child with Downs.
“So to any expecting mother that receives the news that your unborn baby has Down syndrome, do not be scared like I was,” Nicole said. “That baby will be such a gift to your family in so many ways, and I promise his/her siblings will love them like no other!”
What a great big brother! Their sibling love is guaranteed to give you all the feels, and we can’t get enough of Nicole’s message to other parents!
Watch Rayce sing “Tripp’s song” in the video below, and don’t forget to share this story to spread the joy.
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