Becca June
The Beautiful Surprise Who Changed Everything
Some moments in life change you forever. For our family, one of those moments happened in the delivery room the day Becca June was born.
We hadn’t known during pregnancy that Becca had Down Syndrome. It was a complete and unexpected surprise. Hearing those words for the first time was overwhelming and emotional in ways that are hard to describe. There were questions, fears, and moments of uncertainty. But right alongside all of that, there was something stronger: love. From the second we met her, we knew Becca was exactly where she was meant to be… with us.
As Becca grew, her personality blossomed in the most beautiful and unexpected ways. She has always been full of determination and joy, meeting each new milestone in her own time and in her own unique way.
But just as we were settling into life as a family, we faced another challenge we never saw coming. At just 2 years old, Becca was diagnosed with a rare subtype of Leukemia called Acute Megakaryoblastic Leukemia (AMKL), a diagnosis most commonly associated with children with Down syndrome. Hearing the word "Leukemia" shook us to the core. Nothing can prepare you for the moment doctors tell you your child has cancer.
Becca began chemotherapy shortly after her diagnosis. The treatments were hard on her and on all of us, but Becca showed a kind of strength that left everyone around her in awe. For nearly a year, she fought with everything she had, all while maintaining that signature sparkle in her eye. By the time she turned 3, Becca had completed her chemotherapy treatments and entered remission.
That chapter changed us. It made us even more grateful for every giggle, every milestone, every ordinary day. Watching her bounce back with her usual energy and sass was truly inspiring.
At age 4, we began to notice other developmental differences, and after further evaluations, Becca was diagnosed with Autism. Like everything else in her journey, this diagnosis helped us gain a deeper understanding of her world. It gave us new tools, new therapies, and a new level of support to help her thrive.
Today, Becca June is a force of nature. She’s funny, opinionated, and full of life. She approaches the world in her own way and teaches us daily how to slow down, see beauty in the small moments, and celebrate every win, big or small.
Raising Becca comes with its challenges, but it’s also full of joy and gratitude. She reminds us to advocate louder, love harder, and see the light in places we never thought to look.
We often say that Becca June was the surprise we never knew we needed, but now, we can’t imagine life without her. From Down Syndrome, to beating cancer, to navigating Autism, she has shown us what true resilience and unconditional love look like.
Every day, she shows us just how lucky we are to call her ours.
-Katie (Mom)
