We were told early on that there could be something catastrophic with our son and it was at about 20 weeks that the diagnosis of Trisomy 18 was confirmed. The devastation of this diagnosis for our first, and much wanted and beloved, son is nearly impossible to convey. There were so many moments that I was not sure if I could survive the pain, both during and after our time with our son. The Trisomy 18 Foundation gave us a forum to express our love, our fears and our need for support. They linked us with parents who have come to be some of our closest and lifelong friends. They also provided us a permanent memorial place for our son, which has meant the world to us (http://www.trisomy18.org/goto/Oliver.Paul).