Hudson's Journey: Celebrating the Journey: The Power of Hudson’s “EXTRA”

By: Mika Hartman

My Final Article

This morning, as I watched Frozen 2 with Hudson, a line from Olaf stood out to me: “One born with ‘powers’ and one born ‘powerless.’” Anna's reaction, a scowl on her face after hearing this, caught my attention. Despite lacking magical powers, Anna’s strength, courage, and perseverance were undeniable. This moment in the film made me reflect on something much deeper—society’s definition of success and how we often measure ourselves and our children by it.

As children, and even as adults, we dream big. We set goals that seem larger than life: becoming astronauts, rock stars, mountaineers, or even the President of the United States. But let’s pause for a moment and consider the statistics. As of March 18, 2025, only 721 people have reached the "altitude of space" according to the USAF’s definition. Only 45 people have served as President of the United States. And climbing Mount Everest? Just 7,120 have succeeded in reaching the summit, with only half of those who attempt the climb actually making it.

What does this say about "success"? It suggests that even the biggest dreams—those that seem so extraordinary—are rare. They are attainable, yes, but they are out of reach for many, and that’s okay. We don’t need to achieve the extraordinary to be worthy of celebration.

As a mother to a child with special needs, I constantly find myself caught in a struggle. Society pushes us to measure our children by the same standards of achievement, success, and comparison that we apply to typical children. But my son, Hudson, does not need to fit into that mold. In fact, I’m realizing he never has to.

Hudson is enough just as he is, without needing to prove anything to anyone. The world may expect children with Down syndrome, like Hudson, to do certain things, but I am learning that his worth is not tied to these expectations. He doesn’t have to be a rock star, a scientist, or climb Everest to prove his place in this world. And not all children or adults with Down syndrome will be business entrepreneurs, supermodels, Iron Man competitors, or star in movies… and THAT’S OKAY! Learning what is possible is necessary, but putting all your hopes in rare accomplishments will only fail you and your child. Take a deep breath. Live your life, not someone else’s. You just need your story.

Hudson is already doing big things, right here, right now. He’s learning to recognize colors, shapes, and numbers. He’s understanding the difference between matching and pairing. He gives high-fives, fist bumps, and even started using the potty. These milestones may seem small to some, but to me, they are enormous. They’re celebrations in their own right.

His learning is a journey, one rooted in consistency, repetition, and modeling. Hudson thrives through routines. This is how he learns best, but it’s important to remember that not every child learns the same way. Every child is unique, and every progress, no matter how big or small, is worthy of celebration.

And so, this is my story. This is our journey. I want to share this message with other parents of children with special needs: Give yourself grace. Yes, stories of success are inspiring, but don't fall into the trap of clinging to them as the sole definition of what is possible. Your child may or may not, according to society’s standards, achieve "big things," but what we define as big is often just a matter of perspective.

To me, Hudson is doing big things every single day. I didn’t know if he would walk, but he did. I didn’t know if he would communicate, but he uses a communication device to express his wants. There’s still work to be done—he’s still learning to talk, eat, and potty-train—but every step forward is a monumental victory. These achievements may not be deemed extraordinary by societal standards, but to me, they are nothing short of miraculous.

The word “convincing” has been with me throughout this journey. When we first received Hudson’s diagnosis, I spent time convincing myself that everything would be okay. But as I went through the process, convincing turned into believing, and then believing became knowing. I knew from the moment Hudson arrived in my arms that he was smart, strong, and capable. I no longer feel the need to convince anyone of his worth. I’ve known it from the start.

Hudson’s journey has been filled with challenges, yes, but also triumphs. He has fought for life in ways that no child should ever have to, and yet, he is here—full of determination, love, and joy. His extra chromosome doesn't define him. It makes him unique. It makes him Hudson. And I love him for exactly who he is, extra and all.

Throughout this journey, I have met many incredible families—many of whom are trailblazers, inspiring others to see beyond the diagnosis. Wanting to know what is possible without comparing is a difficult, but necessary, shift in perspective. Whether Hudson is one day on billboards or simply a treasured picture on my wall, he is enough. He has always been enough.

Whatever the future holds, Hudson’s extra chromosome brings with it an abundance of love, joy, fun, challenges, hurdles, and growth. All of it is mine to experience, and I wouldn’t trade it for anything. His "extra" is more than just a label—it’s a beautiful gift that we hold close, cherish, and celebrate. And I wouldn’t change a thing.

The power of Hudson’s EXTRA is more than enough.

A letter of gratitude:

If you have been reading my articles monthly or this is is your first one, thank you. As a military wife, new locations come with the job. We are excited for what’s to come; we will be moving this summer. As far as what’s been, Mississippi was very good to us. We have been stationed here twice now, but this time we brought Hudson. Doors of trying my hand at writing, helping change laws, and being a voice for children who don’t have one, this duty station gave me a voice I didn’t know I had. Thank you for trusting me. I love this life and I hope I have given you an insight to a walk you may have known nothing about. Thank you to Clay and Amanda for this opportunity of sharing our life with your readers. I have learned so much about myself with this platform. I am very grateful. Unsure of what the future holds, I am certain EXTRA fun will be a big part of it. As Hudson finds his voice, I am sure he will advocate with me for needed change. Thank you with love, respect and profound gratitude. Mississippi will always be home. ~ Mika