Diaper drive brings relief to Down Syndrome families – Catholic World Report

What happens when a 100% pro-life Down syndrome advocacy organization teams with a 100% pro-life diaper company? Families within the Down syndrome community feel seen, loved, and valued.

Just after Mother’s Day, Team Iron Will, a pro-life nonprofit dedicated to championing “the intrinsic value of individuals with Down syndrome as they fulfill God’s purpose for their lives,” teamed with EveryLife, the country’s only pro-life diaper company, to provide diapers to needy families within the Down syndrome community. Because of this endeavor, 50 families were blessed by this act of generosity that, for many, came at just the perfect time to alleviate some financial difficulties.

Team Iron Will

Catherine Daub and her husband Andrew founded Team Iron Will after their youngest child, William, now five, was born with Down syndrome. They realized soon after his birth that advocating for him was not just a necessity in today’s world but an immense blessing.

Today, Team Iron Will provides medical and assistive equipment, care packages, developmental tools, and therapy resources to families in the Down syndrome community who are experiencing financial strain; educates families and providers about medical techniques and procedures; and builds community by offering a voice to families and by sharing stories of strength and hope.

They even create care packages for parents whose children also suffer from infantile spasms. Because Will suffered from these as a baby, Catherine and her family know how isolating and scary the diagnosis is. She believes this show of love and support will help sustain families during these difficult times.

Teaming with EveryLife

When Will was younger, Catherine learned about EveryLife and was intrigued by their pro-life story and their philosophy that “every baby is a miracle from God who deserves to be loved, protected, and supported.” She ordered a box of diapers and immediately found that not only were the diapers of “awesome quality” and free of harmful chemicals, but the company also does significant outreach in various communities by donating diapers and wipes to pregnancy resource centers and communities impacted by natural disasters through its Buy For a Cause program.

Catherine reached out to them and subsequently created some Instagram reels promoting their diapers. This past April, she had a brilliant idea. What if EveryLife used some of its diapers from its Buy For a Cause program and donated them to Team Iron Will, who would then distribute them to members of the Down syndrome community?

She proposed this to EveryLife, and they gladly agreed.

EveryLife sent Team Iron Will 50 boxes of diapers (that’s 7,536 diapers) and 50 boxes of wipes (200 packs). Understanding that families in the Down syndrome community, especially those with medically fragile children, go through hard times, long hospital stays, and may have expensive therapy bills, Catherine then took to social media and other Down syndrome groups to find 50 families who needed the blessing of a month’s worth of diapers and wipes, and then Team Iron Will mailed out the diapers and wipes to these families across the country. The diapers ranged from newborn to size 6, with the bulk of them being sizes 5 and 6 and meant for older children.

Catherine explained that by giving diapers to these families, Team Iron Will and EveryLife are “honoring these families and these amazing little human beings and just want them to know that they are loved, they are seen, they are valued, and we’re happy they are here.”

Each box of diapers included a letter, which said in part: “Team Iron Will and EveryLife are so honored to bless your family with a month’s supply of diapers and wipes. It’s our way of celebrating the beautiful life of your little one and taking just a little off your plate!” The letter ended by saying, “We hope this reminds you just how seen and loved you are!”

A heartwarming Instagram video featured Will and his sister with the boxes of diapers, thanking EveryLife for their donation with this message: “EveryLife is a diaper company that walks the walk. And we are beyond honored to stand boldly with them, reminding the world that every single human being is divinely created in God’s own image. Fearfully and wonderfully made with a purpose and a plan.”

Advocating for the value of every person

Catherine spoke to me about the uniqueness of Team Iron Will, as it is one of the only 100% pro-life Down syndrome advocate organizations in existence. While many of the larger Down syndrome organizations may have pro-life people working for them, they as a whole do not advocate for the right to life of all preborn babies, without exception. Catherine explained Team Iron’s Will’s 100% pro-life stance, saying, “I want God to honor what we’re doing, and I don’t want to be quiet about it.”

The sad truth is that up to 70% of preborn babies in the US who are diagnosed prenatally with Down syndrome are aborted. Doctors and abortion advocates call these precious children “burdens,” lament about how they will negatively change the lives of the family forever, and instill fear about the future. Moms and dads who are unfamiliar with Down syndrome or the DS community can often fall prey to these warnings and choose to abort.

But Team Iron Will exists to tell these families that they are not alone and that their children have a purpose and are loved. As the site says,

We’re on a crusade to love and advocate for every individual with Down syndrome. We know that every child has God-given potential, and we are committed to helping them—and their families—find a place to belong. We refuse to let the world’s standards define our children’s worth. We believe in the inherent dignity of every person, and we fight for a world where they are valued, celebrated, and given every opportunity to thrive.

Society wants people to believe that pro-lifers only care about babies before they are born, but pro-life people understand the truth. There are so many groups and organizations determined to help children, and Team Iron Will and EveryLife are committed to doing their part to care for families in need.

This is one of the reasons that Catherine loves the partnership with EveryLife. As she stated, “This is a company that is honoring these children’s lives well after they are born.”

Children in the Down syndrome community deserve nothing less. Team Iron Will strives every day to teach the world the beauty of children with Down syndrome and to change the way the world sees them, for as Catherine said, “We love life, our family, and God. And we’re striving to make the world a better place.”