Author:
Pat
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Date Posted: 02:13:07 01/10/04 Sat
Hi, Aimee,
I have a nephew with Down Syndrome. You can read about him here:
http://www.seghea.com/becky/down/downsindex.html
Here's another page I'd like to recommend:
http://www.nas.com/downsyn/holland.html
Having a child with Down Syndrome means that your blessing is simply very different. If you have a child with DS, you can count on having a child who will teach you and your family unconditional love. You can count on a child who will also love you unconditionally, a child who will reawaken your sense of wonder, and a child who has a mission in life. You will not necessarily have a child who is seriously mentally retarded. People with DS do think differently, no question about it. But they can be very, very bright. Too bad one of my favorite TV shows is no longer being aired: Life Goes On. The actor who plays the person with DS actually has it. He is obviously intelligent and well educated. My nephew is also very intelligent. He tested out with the language development of a five year old when he was 3 1/2. The key to helping a child with DS be as "normal" as possible is early intervention. When you go to my web site, please feel free to email my sister and pick her brain on that subject. She's a walking encyclopedia on it. So if you seek early intervention programs, pay close attention and work with them and use your own wisdom, and you insist that your child be given intellectual training first and foremost, your child will almost certainly do well.
I'm actually jealous that my sister got my nephew instead of me. :)
And Melanie is right. False diagnosis of DS is not that uncommon. If you have an abortion, you may well be aborting a normal, healthy child. Not only that, but having an abortion could make you prone to having a child prematurely in the future, and that could cause that child to have cerebral palsy! If, on the other hand, you have a baby with DS, and you can't cope, there's a waiting list of interested prospective adoptive parents. So try not to worry. Enjoy your pregnancy. Your doctor doesn't have a right to rob you of your joy.
Regardless of what happens, we'll be praying for you, and we know that God will sustain you. Your baby is depending on you for your protection, and you are the only person who can protect your baby. I urge you to protect your baby.
Hugs,
Pat
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