Today we celebrate Memorial Day in the United States. It's a day for us to remember those who gave the last full measure in service to their country. While this post concerns those actively serving, I thought it appropriate for today, nonetheless. Continue Reading
May 20, 2013
Webinar on Prenatal Testing for Down syndrome
Down Syndrome Affiliates in Action (DSAIA) has made available the webinar I presented on Down syndrome prenatal testing. The webinar covers the basics of prenatal testing, the newest form of prenatal testing for Down syndrome, the professional society statements of the ACMG, ACOG, ISPD, and NSGC, and the statements' comments on counseling about prenatal testing. The webinar is available for free to the public. You can access the webinar at this link. Register using the box on the lower left hand Continue Reading
May 13, 2013
Karen Gaffney, long-distance swimmer, advocate, receives doctorate of humane letters
I've written previously how medical professionals are instructed to be humble in predicting how Down syndrome may affect a life. Karen Gaffney's accomplishments certainly demonstrate the wisdom of this instruction. Continue Reading
April 19, 2013
J-Law receives the Down Syndrome of Louisville Friendship Award
I wrote in a previous post about the friendship Oscar-winner Jennifer Lawrence has with all-around-good-guy Andy Strunk, who happens to have Down syndrome. In honor of that friendship, E! News is reporting that J-Law will receive the Friendship Award from Down Syndrome of Louisville at this year's Mint Jubilee, a gala held as part of the Kentucky Derby festivities. Due to her filming schedule, Ms. Lawrence's brother will be accepting the award presented by Mr. Strunk. The gala is next Friday, Continue Reading
April 16, 2013
Seeing a dream come true
In the video you will see news coverage of Lydia Orso and Tom Swenson's wedding. I expect that when Lydia was born, no one believed one day she would be exchanging vows at her wedding ceremony--I know I would not have. Continue Reading
April 12, 2013
“Louise is a mongoloid child” who became a loquacious adult
Louise Brown was born in 1961. At that time, it was appropriate to describe her as "mentally and physically handicapped" and "a mongoloid child." Continue Reading
April 12, 2013
It’s Friday, let’s have some fun
I'll resume my series on the new policy statements on the newest form of prenatal testing for Down syndrome next week. But, it's Friday, so let's have some fun. Enjoy the video of Kaitlyn, a 16 year old with Down syndrome, showing off her skills hula-hooping during halftime. Not many of us can hula-hoop that well or have performed a halftime show, at any level. Impressive stuff. Enjoy. Continue Reading
March 19, 2013
WDSD & The Down Syndrome Information Act on TV
WDRB 41 Louisville - News, Weather, Sports Community Thursday is World Down Syndrome Day (WDSD). March 21st was chosen as the numerical date, 3/21, reflects the genetic cause of Down syndrome, a triplicate of the 21st Chromosome. Today, a local news affiliate featured my local organization in preparation for WDSD. Watch the video to see self-advocate Chris getting ready to make our host breakfast and your blog's author interviewed about the recently-passed Down Syndrome Information Continue Reading
Creating an ordinary life for an extraordinary person
Do you know about the TED talks? I discovered them several years ago and find them an endless source of inspiration and challenging ideas. The talk featured in this post (and at this link) is one of the best I've seen. Continue Reading