ANNA ROSE HERSBERGER
Greater Than Us: The Courage to Choose Life, the Calling to Inspire
Anna Rose Hersberger is a vibrant 3-year-old from Carrollwood, Florida, who was born in 2021 with Down syndrome. Despite early challenges, including her mother Ela Hersberger facing societal stigma during pregnancy, Anna Rose has flourished, showcasing a range of talents and interests. She enjoys drawing, reading picture books, and engaging in pretend cooking. Her aspiration to become a doctor is evident as she often conducts playful "checkups" with her father, Larry, using a toy stethoscope.
Anna Rose's parents are dedicated advocates for individuals with Down syndrome, emphasizing the importance of education and opportunities for all. Larry Hersberger, in particular, credits Anna Rose as his greatest teacher, highlighting the profound impact she has had on their family's journey.
Her first day of elementary school was a significant milestone, marking the beginning of her formal education and continued development.
Anna Rose's story serves as an inspiring example of resilience and the boundless potential within every child.
Ela Hersberger
A Mother's Journey with Down Syndrome.
Around the world, approximately 90% of pregnancies diagnosed with Down syndrome are terminated.
Why? FEAR.
Fear of the unknown. Fear of life-changing. Fear of medical complications. Fear of what family and friends will say. Fear of this new journey.
My pregnancy with Anna Rose was unlike my first two daughters.
Early on, a nurse called to inform me that my child would have Down syndrome. Almost in the same breath, she asked if I wanted to terminate the pregnancy. I hung up and turned to my husband. Thankfully, he was my rock—this diagnosis didn’t change anything for him.
But the challenges were only beginning.
My midwife refused to continue my care and told me to find another provider. After many calls, I finally found an OB willing to take me on. At my first appointment, I was told I had only a few more weeks to terminate, and that was after I had already told them my decision—I was keeping my baby. Yet, every visit, they asked me the same question.
I had gestational diabetes in my previous pregnancies, so I knew I needed to be tested again. The doctors resisted, dismissing my concerns. I insisted, took the test, and was diagnosed once more. Their response? "Do you want to terminate? The baby has a higher chance of complications." My answer remained NO.
Then, an ultrasound revealed a heart defect. "Do you want to terminate?" they asked again. NO.
I changed doctors.
Genetic counseling was next. My husband and I sat in a cold, sterile room while a doctor made me feel that this was my fault—because of my age. Then came the list of worst-case scenarios: a large hole in her heart, concerns about her brain and liver, my diabetes making everything riskier. 25 % of stillbirth. And then, the question again: "Do you want to terminate?"
That appointment was one of the hardest experiences of my life.
And still, my answer was NO.
By my second trimester, no doctor wanted to take me as a new patient, especially with a baby diagnosed with Down Syndrome. I managed to get a few hospital checkups, but only as a walk-in patient.
When it was time for delivery, I was attended by the doctor who was on call. To this day, I don’t even know her name.
As soon as Anna Rose was born, the nurse whispered, "I’m so sorry… she has Down Syndrome."
I didn’t care. "Is she alive? Can she breathe?" She wasn’t crying.
They rushed her to the NICU and closed the door. They turned off the light in my room and left me alone. This was awful!
When I finally saw her in the incubator, my knees hit the floor, and I cried—not because she had Down Syndrome, but because of how many times they had asked if I didn’t want her. How many other parents would never have this beautiful child?
Then, I noticed a rocking chair beside the incubator. On it sat a welcome basket from our local Down syndrome group—a book, a blanket, a little heart, and a beautiful message:
"She is welcome here. Congratulations!"
For the first time, someone acknowledged her life with joy.
When I searched for Down Syndrome information online, all I found were clinical descriptions, medical concerns, and genetic explanations. But I didn’t see their beautiful faces—their full, vibrant lives.
My husband and I decided to take a stand, and we created the "Don’t Fear Me" exhibit.
We want to educate our families, friends, colleagues, and professionals that Down syndrome is nothing to fear. Our children grow, learn, play, and feel—just like any other child. In fact, I believe it’s the rest of us who are missing something—an extra chromosome of LOVE.
Anna Rose loves life. She loves her family, her friends, and—most beautifully—herself.
She has taught me more than I could have imagined. My life is better with her in it.
And our journey has only just begun.
Ela Hersberger
Larry Hersberger
Joining the lucky few. A father's lessons learned.
My name is Larry Hersberger, and I am the lucky daddy of Anna Rose Hersberger. My wife Ela and I were told our daughter, Anna Rose, would be born with Down Syndrome. We were adamant that she would not only be born, but she would also be loved and nurtured. The reality became so much more. The journey of being the father of Anna Rose has been the greatest and most eye-opening journey of my life.
To be fully transparent, I did not know anything about Down Syndrome, however, I became fully committed to learning even prior to the birth of Anna Rose. What I did not expect was the fact that Anna Rose would be my main teacher.
Down Syndrome itself was a mystery to me, and it was fairly easy to read up on the how, why, what, and so on. What I was not expecting was the extraordinary level of love and joy that would pour out of this beautiful child. I did not expect to see her "do" and "achieve" on a daily basis...and this began after she was born.
Anna Rose was born with a huge hole in her heart and, as it turned out, multiple holes. She endured not one but two open heart surgeries, as the first one failed. She brushed them off as if it were just a normal part of being a baby. It was incredible to witness and to say we are grateful to the team of doctors at St. Joseph's Hospital in Tampa who saved her life is an extreme understatement.
This is where the lessons begin, as I began seeing her character (not her Down Syndrome) at this early time in her life. We even added another name, Victoria, as her middle name for Anna Rose was such a little fighter. As the nurses and doctors said, she is a "victory per day" and advancing better than we could hope. She was a little rock star in the ICU ward.
As Anna Rose grew, this "can do" and curious attitude and joy about life continued daily. Every day starts with her waking up, with arms open wide and her explaining emphatically "WOW". (sometimes at 3:00 in the morning, but we will take it)
As with any child, Anna Rose has her ups and downs. Her range of emotions is also just like any other child; however, they are all wrapped in a joyous spirit of love and kindness. This has been inspiring to watch. I thought to myself, "Why can't we all be like that with each other?"
To date, Anna Rose is in school and developing beautifully. She is speaking, running, hugging, loving and laughing just like any other child. She may be delayed in her learning, but oh how she is determined to learn, develop, and do. She is a little powerhouse who is making a big difference to all who meet her.
It is my honor to be your daddy and to advocate for you and others. We are indeed the lucky few...I now fully understand.