| Sumario: | Aim: There is a paradox of challenges and development in raising a child with Down syndrome (DS). This research explores the lived experiences of Mauritian parents raising identical twins with Down syndrome and other young people with this condition. The study aims to examine positive and negative affect, resilience, cultural dynamics, and the interactions between child, parent, family, and community.. Method: The study employed a qualitative interpretive design guided by Family Systems Theory, examining relationships and structures within family dynamics and how the family environment supported coping efforts. Sixteen parents of young adults with Down syndrome, recruited from U-Link and Down Syndrome Mauritius, participated in semi-structured interviews through purposeful sampling. Thematic analysis was used to examine positive and negative parental experiences from different layers of relationships. Results: Initially, parents described shock, confusion, stigma, and grief at diagnosis, but gradually developed resilience through community support, peer social networks, spiritual beliefs, and adaptive parenting strategies. While raising twins with Down syndrome, parents reported increased caregiving demands, experiencing a resilient paradox of grief and growth, but eventually their presence brought profound joy despite financial strain, limited access to inclusive services, and other challenges. In summary, families raising young adults with Down syndrome in Mauritius exemplify vulnerability, instability, and positive resistance. Conclusion: Parents reported increased family cohesion, stronger social networks, and a growing sense of purpose, despite ongoing challenges related to stigma, access to services, and emotional fatigue. These findings call for sustained, multidimensional support systems and inclusive policies that recognize both the burdens and the transformative potential of parenting young adults with DS in resource-constrained and culturally diverse settings like Mauritius .
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