31 For 21: More Alike Than Different

Down syndrome is a genetic condition that causes delays in physical and intellectual development. It occurs in one in every 691 live births. Individuals with Down syndrome have 47 chromosomes instead of the usual 46. It is the most frequently occurring chromosomal disorder. Down syndrome is not related to race, nationality, religion or socioeconomic status. 

The most important fact to know about individuals with Down Syndrome is that they are more like others than they are different.

 When they are born, they need the same care as any other infant, diapers, breastfeeding/bottles, soft blankies and snuggles.

As they grow, they begin to enjoy musical toys and mama's sweet singing

They begin to sit, crawl, and walk a little later, it takes a little longer, but they do sit, crawl and walk. When they fall, it hurts the same and they bruise the same.

When they laugh its purely contagious.. and when they laugh its a full belly laugh each and every time.  They experience joy and happiness the same.

They enjoy books, computer, tv, pizza, playgrounds, visits with grandparents, playing with siblings and cousins, coloring, jumping, going to preschool.  They enjoy learning and playing the same.

They also get mad, DANG MAD, they cry, they push and pinch, they yell when they don't get their way, they want what's their and they want what's yours, they are stubborn, they are upset when people laugh at them or make fun of them, they have the same feelings..

They cry when they get shots, they don't like going to the doctors all the time, they understand that long car rides to Pittsburgh mean getting to see the Mister Rodgers Trolley while we wait for our appointments.  They feel pain the same.

They continue to learn something everyday, they continue to teach the world something everyday, in so many ways they are no different than my three other older children.  In other ways its not that they are different its that I still have alot to learn!