Welcome to the Down syndrome Community!

[Dragon1973]

Welcome to everyone - new and existing members!  If you are new here, please introduce yourself and tell us a bit about why you are here.  Please post any questions, concerns, issues and most importantly brags that you have relating to or about Down syndrome.

If you do not wish to post openly on this forum, (If I can help answer a question that you might have) please do not hesitate to send me a message or note directly.  Often times new members visit here because they have just received a diagnosis pertaining to Down syndrome, and this discovery can sometimes be an uncomfortable or stressful/trying time.  If this is your situation, remember many of us have been in your exact situation, and know better than anyone what you are facing.  More importantly, we have discovered that this truly is a wonderful journey.

Many of the members here are full of knowledge and have personal experiences with questions that you may have.  Some of us have children, siblings, relatives or friends with Down syndrome.  Personal experiences are sometimes the best answers to many questions.  Please keep in mind, that while we may have extensive knowledge in many areas, members should always seek professional medical advice from their own physician, as it pertains to medical conditions or concerns.

Again, welcome and please enjoy this forum.

Sincerely,
Sandi (Dragon1973)
MedHelp Down syndrome Community Leader
& Ds Group Forum Founder/Moderator

[infernomom]

We have 4 wonderful children. Our youngest are twins, a girl and her twin our son was born with Down syndrome. We have been through a lot of battles as our son was the only child with Down syndrome in a small community. Our oldest is 38, then 33, then twins are going on 18. It has been hard for all of us as a family to try to adjust to the twins having such demanding needs to start with, but the hardest was seeing our daughter advance in school while her brother is still at a 2 year old level. It has also been hard now that they are young adults for them to have a relationship as sibling, especially now that our daughter has gone to college far from home. My husband and I are both retired.

[mariahds]

I see by the posts on this site that we are not the only ones having behavioral issues with our child. Mariah is 14 and is considered high functioning Down syndrome. Within the last year or so she has become a handful at times as in displaying defiant and aggressive behavior. She becomes physically aggressive when I get her out of bed for school in the morning. She does not want to get up and get ready and fights me every step of the way. I am now forced to dress her and to even brush her teeth, things she can do for herself but refuses. She refuses to take a bath and at times if she does not get her way she will act up in a major way.  Sometimes she is the sweetest girl in the world, her teachers have all praised her for being such a well behaved student. At other times she will become the most defiant person imaginable. She can go from sweet to aggressive in an instant. I found this site doing an internet search of DS behavior and have decided to contact her doctor for some advice. Of course I want to blame myself for all of this and I don't claim to be a perfect father but I now feel that other factors are involved. Wish us luck.

[krystal247]

I really need help my doctor told me my baby was 1 in 36 to have down syndrome from my blood work, Did the test results have anything to do with the father or was it just from my blood itself.? Im really worried and want the test but Im scared of the pain. Could you please tell me whats the chances of that Im really worried?

[ghetti]

My Name is Lynette, and I have a daughter 16 with Down Syndrome.
She is very stubbern and will shut down in school if she does not want to go to Drama or Music. She refuses to speak or move. Please, can you give me any advise for me and her teachers.

[Andrewf52]

Dear all, this is andrewf52(I posted a year ago). Great news, clinical trials have begun for drugs which can raise the cognitive abilities for children with Down Syndrome. If successful(which looks hopeful), these drugs will not alter their personalities in any way, but instead will help make it easier for children with Down Syndrome to learn and grasp difficult concepts, and will enable them to have easier lives overall because of how it improves their cognitive abilities. Read more here http://www.prweb.com/releases/2011/9/prweb8783856.htm.
Thanks!

[hollylinford]

I have a class for college this semester. One of the options is to interview parents who have a kid with Down Syndrome. I don't know anybody like that, but this topic really interests me. I'm just here for information. Any help that anybody could give me would be appreciated. I've got some questions to ask, if you're interested in helping me out. You can let me know by posting below. Or, my email is ***@****. Thanks in advance. It would help out so much.

[Dragon1973]

Hello Andrew!

Welcome to MedHelp.  I hope that you will succeed in raising awareness.  What you are doing for your brother, and all children/adults with Down syndrome is truly admirable.  I hope that you will continue to visit us here at MedHelp also, and join our community!

Please keep me updated, I would love to hear how your venture goes.  Many of us here in this Community are all about spreading awareness for Down syndrome.  Myself included.  I know that my son appreciates your efforts.

Sincerely,
Sandi (Dragon1973)
MedHelp Genetics Community Leader;
Children - Special Needs Community Leader;
Down syndrome Community Leader & Ds Group Forum Founder/Moderator

[Andrewf52]

Hi! My name is andrew, I am 17 years old and I have a younger brother with DS. I am trying to spread awareness of the great advances in cognitive research being made to help those with DS. Check out this website if you guys are interested! http://researchds.org/ and to connect with them on facebook check out http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/ResearchDS.org?ref=ts. Thanks alot! Hope people here are interested by this research. --Andrew

[lisa628]

hi, for my health and social care coursework at school i have to ask someone with down syndrome or their parents a few questions, i was wondering if you could answer them for me please?

[Dragon1973]

Congratulations on your son!  
You are absolutely right, our children are children first and I am so glad you are able to see this.  Don't let what other people have to say madden you, keep being an advocate for your son and continue to help him to be the best person he can be.
If ever you need help or have questions, do not hesitate to post, and thank you for sharing your thoughts about your son!

Sincerely,
Sandi (Dragon1973)
MedHelp Genetics Community Leader;
Children - Special Needs Community Leader;
Down syndrome Community Leader & Ds Group Forum Founder/Moderator

[TOM11166]

My son has Down Syndrome and I was blessed with him.He is now 22 months old and in good health. I just wanted to say thank you god for the son that he gave me. Alot of people get mad about the whole thing but keep in mined that this are babys to.http://www.medhelp.org/posts/Down-Syndrome/Welcome-to-the-Down-syndrome-Community/show/1229843#