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 You are not alone. The Gold Coast Down Syndrome Organization has been
serving families of children with Down syndrome and related disabilities in Palm
Beach County, Florida since May 1980. A family support group advocating for
improved outcomes for all people with Down syndrome, we are here to help answer
the many questions that face you in the wake of this news. If you are
searching the internet for more information about Down syndrome, please click
these links for the
National Down Syndrome Society
and the National Down
Syndrome Congress. Click on our Birth to Three link to find local information
about early intervention.
Having current and accurate information about Down syndrome
will help you feel knowledgeable and less anxious, therefore enabling you to
make informed decisions about the health and education of your new baby. Besides written information, both factual and anecdotal, it is also very
important to connect with other parents whose children have similar
disabilities. You have a long road ahead and will surely find that the
"emotional" support of other parents will help you cope and develop the advocacy
skills you will need as you embark on this new journey. Sometimes it will
be exciting and invigorating, other times it will be difficult and exhausting.
This may not be the future that you signed up for, but it will be an adventure
that will change your life. Again, Congratulations on the birth of your
beautiful new baby! Click on Tiny Tots above to learn more.
Please
enjoy this story, submitted by Gregory's mom:
Six years ago my
son Gregory was 5 years old. We were traveling from Florida
to Virginia to visit
family for the holidays and we were making our way through the
very crowded and hectic Atlanta airport. We had walked for a
very long time, moving through the transportation train and
had encountered many weary and frustrated travelers along the
way. Gregory was, as usual, taking his time. We made every
effort to hurry him along but he was, as he always seems to
be, just enjoying the experience, not hassled or bothered with
the situation, taking the time to look around and observe.
As we finally
approached our gate I noticed an elderly woman in a wheelchair waiting for a
flight. She appeared very
weak and tired, her chin was resting on her hand, her elbow was on the arm of
the wheelchair. She had a sadness about her that we tend to quickly look away
from, it is sometimes more than we want to face. We walked by her and a few
steps ahead I noticed that Gregory had stopped. He paused and then slowly
turned around to look at this lady. Of course I attempted to keep him moving,
telling him to come on and proceed to the gate. He could not be persuaded to
change his mind. He began walking slowly back to this lady. She noticed him
approaching and was wary at first, looking at him with a curious and somewhat
startled gaze. He walked the few remaining steps to her side and without
hesitation opened his arms outstretched to her with a warm smile. She
hesitated and then, shaky and quivering , raised her weak arms to welcome his
hug. The embrace lasted only a few seconds and she met my gaze with a warm
smile over his shoulder, tears coming into her eyes. When he was finished he
smiled at her, gently touched the palm of his hand to her cheek, turned and
came back to me. As I looked into her eyes I knew that what he had done had
meant so much to her, she seemed to sit taller in her chair, her eyes shone.
My son had somehow known what this fine lady had needed most in the world and
he hadn't been too busy with his own life to give her exactly what she needed.
Sometimes we all just need a little hug, to be shown that someone cares.
Gregory sees what others need, perhaps because he just takes the time to
notice, and he is happy to give.
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