Jake Burger, a player for the Miami Marlins, and his wife, Ashlyn, are committed to raising their children with unwavering love. On Oct. 25, the 28-year-old MLB third baseman and his wife celebrated the arrival of their second child, a daughter named Penelope, sharing this special news exclusively with PEOPLE.
Before Penelope’s birth, the couple learned she had Down syndrome, yet they remained undaunted by the diagnosis. Reflecting on that moment, Burger recalls simply saying to Ashlyn, “Alright, so what?” He explains, “Life’s purpose isn’t about ease; it’s about fulfillment, and this is how God chose to enrich ours.”
The couple chooses to celebrate Penelope’s uniqueness, viewing her differences as part of her journey
Rather than viewing the diagnosis as a challenge, they’ve come to see it as an unexpected and profound gift. “For us, it wasn’t her diagnosis that needed mourning—it was more about realizing how society might view her limitations,” they share.
Despite the differences that Penelope will face, from her unique way of experiencing the world to the friendships she will make, they embrace these “differences” as part of her journey. “Often, what appears overwhelming transforms into the most cherished blessings. She’ll pass life in her own way, and each of those differences is what makes her, her.”
The couple sees this perspective as a blessing, saying, “This journey has allowed us to show others a new way to view Down syndrome.” In a heartfelt Instagram post, they shared that Burger is currently the only MLB player with a child who has Down syndrome.
Still, they emphasize that Penelope’s diagnosis does not define her, but rather shapes her uniqueness. “Her identity isn’t about her diagnosis; it’s about who she is, and we wouldn’t change that for anything.”
Learning about the special needs community has been a surprising source of joy for the Burgers, revealing a world of connection and support. “We have felt such love and encouragement from our family and the community of parents with special needs children, which has filled us with a profound sense of purpose,” they say.
“This is just the beginning for our journey with Penelope, and having this support around us makes everything a little easier.” With a shared mission to support other families, Burger and Ashlyn express, “Our journey with Penelope is a gift, and we look forward to helping her achieve all she dreams of in life.”
