After covering a few other written resources not mentioned in a previous section of this chapter, I then turn our attention to the existing national Down syndrome support organizations. Continue Reading

Screenshot from MDSC's First Call Program Without any federal support, the Massachusetts Down Syndrome Congress has launched a nationwide first call program for new and expectant parents learning their child has Down syndrome. Read on about this excellent resources and why it launches over a decade after Congress authorized exactly this resource by a unanimous vote. Continue Reading

Downsyndromepregnancy's logo The previous section of Chapter 5's exploration of available supporting resources for new and expectant parents discussed the importance of accurate, up-to-date, balanced resources about Down syndrome. This section describes the three resources identified by major medical organizations to be provided to parents. Continue Reading

In this second section of Chapter Five's discussion of the available support resources for new and expectant parents of children with Down syndrome, I discuss what every medical guideline recommends and what all parents want--accurate, balanced, up-to-date information--and how the resource providing that information was developed. Continue Reading

Juliet's Walk Team, 2013 Having covered Prenatal Testing (Ch. 2), Abortion (Ch. 3), and Down syndrome (Ch. 4), we now turn to the subject that most new and expectant parents wonder about and are surprised to learn about: the support that is available for individuals with Down syndrome and their families. Continue Reading

Juliet at Valley View in Yosemite National Park, 2019 In the final section of Chapter 4's exploration of Down syndrome, I first address generalizations about Down syndrome and then detail working through the stages of grief to coming to acceptance of my daughter's Down syndrome. I would welcome you sharing in the comments either [1] how you would describe Down syndrome to a new or expectant parent or [2] if you agree that the above picture is a beautiful one of Juliet (or both!). Continue Reading

The penultimate section of Chapter 4's exploration of "Down syndrome" turns to certain behaviors associated with those with the condition. You are welcome to argue in support of my position or against it that, however sweet many people with Down syndrome are, they ain't no angels. Continue Reading

Juliet's transcription of the Atlas of the Human Body Continuing Chapter 4's discussion of Down syndrome and conditions associated with it, this section covers the remaining common internal conditions associated with Down syndrome. (BTW: as the caption describes the photo above, my daughter is enrolled in the Allied Health certificate program at her high school. She has loved her classes on medical terminology, emergency procedures, and sports medicine. On her own, she selected The Atlas of Continue Reading

In this next section on the chapter on "Down syndrome", I describe some of the common physical characteristics associated with the condition. This part ends on a tough note. Continue Reading