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
April 9, 2013
Happy birthday, Baby Doe
Today would have been Baby Doe's birthday. But, when Baby Doe was born in 1982, he was born with Down syndrome and his doctor believed some individuals with Down syndrome were "mere blobs." The doctor's medical advice to Baby Doe's parents was that they should let their child die from lack of care. I wrote about this in 2010. Re-reading the column, I was reminded of then-current examples of these views still being expressed and practiced. Lest we think this attitude towards withholding care to 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
March 7, 2013
How to deliver a Down syndrome diagnosis?
With the advances in prenatal testing and guidelines recommending prenatal testing be offered to all expectant mothers, more Down syndrome diagnoses are being delivered than ever before. But how should a Down syndrome diagnosis be delivered? Fortunately, there is a very helpful resource that is also a professional guideline by those who should know best. Continue Reading
March 3, 2013
Down syndrome and the 2013 Oscars
While Daniel Day-Lewis did not deliver the message I hoped for, I learned of another connection one of the winners had with Down syndrome, and I had no idea it was so close. Continue Reading
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