Yuzuchi Mama: Learning and Sharing Life Lessons from Her Daughter with Trisomy 18

Marriage, childbirth, parenting.

At first glance, these seem like ordinary milestones in life, but they are actually a series of miracles.

The mom we're introducing today, Yuzuchi Mama, is one of those who strongly felt these miracles through childbirth and parenting. Her only daughter, Yuzuchi-chan, has a condition known as Trisomy 18.

The diagnosis came at 30 weeks of pregnancy. Faced with a reality far from the life she had envisioned, it was initially difficult for her to accept.

However, with Yuzuchi-chan's birth, her perspective on life changed dramatically, making it much easier to live, she says.

What kind of life lessons did Yuzuchi Mama learn from Yuzuchi-chan? We delve into the thoughts Yuzuchi Mama wants to share with other mothers of children with disabilities and those requiring medical care.

*Information was verified and partially updated on March 13, 2026.

1. What is Trisomy 18, a severe physical and mental disability?

Trisomy 18, which Yuzuchi-chan has, is a type of chromosomal abnormality often accompanied by intellectual and physical disabilities, as well as various complications.

It is said to occur in 1 in 6,000 births, and only 5-10% of these children reach their first birthday. Although medical advancements show signs of improving prognosis, an effective treatment has yet to be established.

Reference: Trisomy 18 | MSD Manual

In Yuzuchi-chan's case, she has a heart condition known as double outlet right ventricle, as well as hearing loss, visual impairment, and severe physical disabilities.

As a result, she requires 24-hour medical care, including the use of a ventilator and tube feeding.

2. The miraculous birth story of Yuzuchi-chan

[Interviewer (Writer): Akaishi / Interviewee: Yuzuchi Mama]

Akaishi: How did you feel when you found out Yuzuchi-chan had a disability?

Yuzuchi Mama: I am the youngest of four siblings, and having seen my sisters marry and raise children, I assumed only healthy children would be born.

When the doctor, who usually spoke calmly, said during a 30-week ultrasound, "Your baby might be born with a disability," I was overwhelmed with anxiety and fear.

The future I had taken for granted crumbled in an instant.

I even thought, "Maybe it's better to place her in a facility because I'm not confident I can raise her. Can't I just pretend this never happened?"

Honestly, I cried a lot during my hospital stay.

Akaishi: What made you start thinking positively about childbirth and parenting from there?

Yuzuchi Mama: Yuzuchi would have to be admitted to the NICU (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit) after birth, so I was allowed to visit in advance.

There, I saw tiny babies connected to tubes and monitors, fighting hard to live.

Seeing those babies striving to live made me realize that the word "disability" is something we impose, and it might not matter to these children.

Yuzuchi was not only diagnosed with Trisomy 18 but was also in a breech position. The doctor and nurses told me she might not survive birth and asked, "Do you want to use a heart monitor?"

Some mothers can't bear the reality of their child being stillborn and choose not to use the monitor. However, I believed that if Yuzuchi wanted to live, she would be born safely, so I answered, "I will use the monitor no matter what."

And on September 27, 2020, Yuzuchi-chan, with Trisomy 18, was born at 18:18. It truly is a miracle.

3. Lessons learned from a daughter requiring medical care

Akaishi: Despite support from laws like the Medical Care Support Act for Children, there are still many uncertainties in raising a child at home. What was your main reason for deciding to raise Yuzuchi-chan at home?

Yuzuchi Mama: I really want to show her various sights. That's the main reason. Since she was born against the odds, I want her to experience as much of this world as possible.

However, when she was discharged after 1 year and 4 months, I was filled with anxiety. My husband works night shifts, so I often had to care for Yuzuchi alone, feeling overwhelmed by loneliness and anxiety every day.

During that time, Yuzuchi started to suddenly fall ill, and her condition worsened to the point of hospitalization.

Akaishi: What was the cause?

Yuzuchi Mama: Even after tests, the cause couldn't be identified. But the doctor told me, "Your earnestness is putting pressure on Yuzuchi-chan."

The cause of Yuzuchi's health issues was me.

Looking back, the pressure of caring for Yuzuchi alone made me feel I had to do everything perfectly, treating her more like a patient than a child. I was overly focused on the monitor readings rather than her condition.

Perhaps because I had few experiences of being praised as a child, I had a strong desire to be recognized by others. So, even though I thought, "I have to keep going despite the lack of sleep for my daughter's sake," my body reached its limit.

That's when I realized for the first time, "It's impossible to keep pushing myself." It was a turning point where I realized that I'm not living to be recognized by others; it's okay to pursue my own happiness.

After that, as I focused on watching over my daughter, she began to recover as if by magic.

Because a child requiring medical care can be life-threatening with the slightest change, loneliness was terrifying. But by facing my daughter, I was able to reflect on my true self, and by accepting even the negative aspects of daily life, I became more positive.

Thanks to Yuzuchi's birth, I was able to rediscover my true self.

4. Why continue sharing the parenting journey of a child requiring medical care on Instagram

Akaishi: What do you prioritize when sharing on Instagram?

Yuzuchi Mama: I prioritize honestly sharing the daily life of Yuzuchi and me.

On social media, the number of followers can sometimes be seen as a measure of one's worth.

Initially, I was concerned about follower count. Although I'm grateful for the increased visibility, I realized that I hadn't changed. What's important is not the number of followers, but the intention behind my posts.

I used to lack confidence and constantly compared myself to others, feeling inferior, which was truly painful. But thanks to Yuzuchi, I learned to accept myself as I am, and life became much easier.

Because I feel that "how I perceive myself" is more