Alright, I need a little help from my awesome peeps (yeah, that's you!). Next Wednesday, two of my dear friends (who have extra chromosome-sporting kids) and I will be appearing on local talk show, Studio 5 with Brooke Walker. She and her correspondent, Courtney Orton will be doing a round table with us to discuss some topics on Down syndrome. They've pretty much left it to us to pick the topics.
This is where you come in! I need to know what areas of Down syndrome you would like to know more about. I know that before having Welles, I knew very little about DS and how it changed the family dynamics.
[The comment section on this site can be difficult to use. Working on fixing that. So please comment on my Instagram account or facebook page (@nothingdownaboutit for IG and the page is just Nothing Down About It on Facebook).]
Here's what I've come up with and I'd love some feedback...
How to teach your kids about special needs and how to respond to their sometimes uncomfortable questions.
As a moms to a children with Down syndrome (Kathryn, Jeana and I), we understand that typical children won't always know exactly how to respond to our children's differences. We are not offended by your kids, or even your questions. In fact, we welcome them. When a kid comes up and asks me why Welles' eyes are different, I view it as an opportunity to teach and inform. We want moms of these curious kiddos to understand this is not offensive and not to try and quickly change the subject because it's uncomfortable. But rather use it as a teaching opportunity.
How to respond if/when a friend finds out she's carrying or gives birth to a baby with DS.
It's not something most of us are prepared for. Sometimes we don't know what to say when a friend is dealing with something shocking, new and even difficult in the moment. So we'll probably discuss our experiences, what friends did that was helpful and responses that were a little hurtful.
Bad information put out by medical professionals.
You would not believe the incredibly poor information out there that "professionals" are telling expectant moms... One woman was told by her physician that the functioning individuals with DS that you see out and about in public, only represent 10% of those with DS. The rest are in homes and institutions because they are so low functioning. This was recent. That is so beyond false. These "professionals" that are encouraging termination because of "poor quality of life" are so misinformed themselves.
So these are the things my friends and I talked about discussing. We really just want others to love and see the beauty in our special children. Our number one goal is to show others what a gift our children are. So if you have any questions, or ideas, please let me know!
Now meet my darling friends who will be with me on the show!
This is Kathryn and her sweet Edison. She and I were instant friends just after Welles was born. I don't know what I would do without her.
This is Jeana. Her first born, Kaelyn was such a blessing that they went to Russia to adopt Jaymi who was meant to be a part of their family. She is so inspiring and I feel so blessed to know her.
