“Anything but sorry: what to say when a baby is born with Down syndrome” is a recent campaign launched by the Canadian Down Syndrome Society (CDSS). It’s purpose is to change society’s perception that we should be congratulating parents rather than sending our condolences. This got me thinking…
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I am 10 years old. My brother and I, along with our parents, have just finished the tour of Hershey’s Chocolate factory in Hershey, PA. We are seated in their cafeteria and anxiously awaiting the mouth-watering taste of the chocolate treat my dad has just ordered.In that moment, I have a glance encounter…
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At the time of our son’s birth, I was familiar with many of the physical malformations and cognitive limitations associated with Down syndrome (a short, stocky, intellectually impaired person with inarticulate speech quickly jumps to mind). However, I was shocked to learn of the plethora of serious…
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Discrimination, defined by the Canadian Human Rights commission, is an action or a decision that treats a person or a group negatively for reasons such as their race, age, or disability. This blog post is about the first experience of discrimination I faced following the birth of our son, with Down syndrome.I…
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So there I was, lying inclined on a birthing table in a hospital delivery room. I was baring down with the last hard push needed to deliver our baby. My husband was bedside, holding my hand. The doctor, seated in front of me, began guiding the baby safely out. "It's a boy!" the doctor announced. My…
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I saw this video, posted below, of a father describing what it was like to have a child with Down syndrome. He said, "Down syndrome is literally one of the most beautiful things that's ever happened in my life". The father went on to describe it as being: "fun, brillant, loving, kind, amazing, cuddly...people…
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I went into labour with our second child in February 1994. We gave birth to a boy. My husband and I already had a girl. So we were very happy to be rounding out our family with his birth.My husband actually jumped for joy. After all, isn’t it most fathers’ desire to want a boy? We were on top of…
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