Living & working with Down Syndrome

This section has personal blogs from a range of people - fathers, mothers and siblings - which reflect happenings in their everyday lives and events which impact on the lives of their loved one with Down syndrome. We encourage you to share your thoughts and comments.

 
 

How Jon Learned to Drive

16 Nov 09
by dsc_staff    7 comments
How Jon Learned to Drive

Jon's Story

(As told by his mom Sally)

Our son Jonathan was born in March of 1982. He was the 3rd of our children and a textbook case as I was 40 years old. I could have found out he had Down syndrome before he was born but I never thought anything like having a child with a disability ...

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The Voice of Down syndrome

9 Oct 09
by dsc_staff    2 comments

When I was born 29 years ago, the doctors told my parents to put me away and forget about me. They said I would not be able to walk, or talk or do what other kids do. They painted a very sad picture of what my life would be like. My parents said I was a gift from God and ...

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For Pete’s Sake!

18 Sep 09
by dsc_staff
For Pete’s Sake!

"For years, Pete had wittered on to us about wanting a mobile ‘phone. For lots of reasons, we were against the idea. At the time, they were still an expensive item and the chances of him losing it, having it stolen or even of him throwing it out of the window if he was in a bad mood, seemed all ...

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Birthday Celebrations in Pakistan

3 Jul 09
by dsc_staff    2 comments
Birthday Celebrations in Pakistan Recently Nasir Masood from Pakistan wrote to us to tell us about his two-year-old niece Ayesha.

"When Ayesha was born the doctor told her mother that Ayesha had a ‘little disability’. Because of the sensitive nature of the culture in Pakistan the family were told to keep quiet about this. Not even all the members of the family were aware ... Continue reading
 

Feeding Laura

21 Apr 09
by dsc_staff    12 comments
Feeding Laura

Our daughter Laura was tubefed from birth. Because of her AVSD heart condition she never had the energy to suck a full bottle. She weighed in at just over 2kilos when she was born and weight gain for heart surgery between 4 and 6 months was paramount. In the hospital neo-natal unit, the goal was to have her drinking her ...

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The Timmerman Family

30 Mar 09
by dsc_staff    5 comments
The Timmerman Family Well we live in USA in Ohio and I am as Irish as they come. My Grandfather, William McNally,  was born and raised in Ireland.  After giving birth to two, typically, healthy children, the Lord put it in my heart to adopt special needs children. First came Michael.  He has mild cerebral palsy and is mildly mentally delayed and had ... Continue reading
 

Working with Down Syndrome - Avoca Handweavers

25 Mar 09
by dsc_staff    3 comments

This is the first of a series of interviews featuring adults with Down syndrome who are employed in a range of Irish companies.

Having a job contributes immensely to a person's sense of well-being and self-esteem. Acknowledged. 

And the same goes for a person with Down syndrome. Having a place in society and a meaningful working role is an ...

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Georgia's Smile

5 Feb 09
by dsc_staff    5 comments

Phil Davidson, his wife and three children live west of Sydney in the beautiful Blue Mountains in Australia. As a professional musician and Dad to Georgia (age 12) who has Down syndrome, Phil combined his two loves to create a beautiful song called "Georgia's Smile" which he is happy for us to share with you.

Phil describes Georgia as ...

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My Special Timmy

5 Jan 09
by dsc_staff    7 comments
My Special Timmy Who says we can’t learn an important life lesson from the most unexpected source?

Timmy…..let me tell you about my special Timmy.  Timmy is a miracle, and his infectious laugh would make even the most hardened heart melt.  Just to know him, is to love him.  Timmy came into this world in the spring of 1961.  Although he ... Continue reading
 

Hello from Bashir in London

25 Nov 08
by dsc_staff
Hello from Bashir in London
Hi,
My name is Bashir. I am 14 years old. I go to Lister Community school in London. I live with my Mum and Dad. I have 4 cousins, Anisha, Zahir, Raeesha and Zarina.My Uncle Nazir take me swimming. I like Big Cook Little Cook on TV. I like watching Tv and play football with my dad ,Ally in ...
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A Visit from Niall

20 Aug 08
by Sheenagh_Gillen    4 comments
A Visit from Niall

Niall came to stay with me last week for a short holiday.  He had two weeks off and did his own thing for the first one and decided to visit me in Mayo for the second.  I was delighted, as always, to have time on my own with him.

While relaxing one evening he picked up a book called I ...

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An introduction to Colm Neilan

23 Jul 08
by Brian_Neilan    8 comments
An introduction to Colm Neilan Colm who is now nearly 10 is an active little boy, he is in second class in the local national  school and has just made his first holy communion.
Colm loves going to school to meet all his friends, he is included in everything at the school and loves playing with all his classmates.  He is learning how to read ... Continue reading
 

Going out for Dinner with Niall

24 Jun 08
by Sheenagh_Gillen    1 comment
Going out for Dinner with Niall

Going Out for for Dinner With Niall

 There are so many good times that I have spent with my brother Niall. And while I look forward to many more to come, let me tell you about one experience that always brings a smile to my face.
We planned to go to dinner in the local Chinese in Maynooth, near where ...

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My Life with Niall Gillen

20 May 08
by Sheenagh_Gillen    7 comments
My Life with Niall Gillen

My life with Niall Gillen.
 
I have four brothers.  Each unique, special and lovely.  As five siblings go we are so unalike that other than some gestures you wouldn’t know the five of us were related!  But the underlining kindness of each of my brothers and their care of people is what bonds us together.
 
My youngest brother is ...

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