My brother Myles has Down syndrome. He is now 54 years old and lives at home with my other brother and our 90-year-old mother. He is semi-retired from a sheltered Garden Centre and florist’s shop. Myles is a wonderful man; a gentleman, as well as a gentle man. He is easy going, patient and tolerant. As a family, we ...

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Doug Billings from Kansas, USA tells us about his son Michael:  

Children are wonderful and awesome portals. When we gaze upon them we can be transported to alternate states of consciousness. We can see glimpses of the divine spark - the essence of God. I have two sons. Grant is fifteen and Michael is six. Grant is a typical high school ... Continue reading

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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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 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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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

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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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

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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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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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

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