Post by Daniella on May 26, 2006 22:20:16 GMT
How some parents coped:
‘When telling relatives and friends that our much-wanted first child had Down’s syndrome we knew that they would find the news sad and we broke it to them gently. Our son has been accepted and visited by all’
‘By the time the diagnosis was made, Steven was already part of the family and we could not consider anything other than keeping him with us.’
‘When our little girl was born with Down’s syndrome, it was a terrible shock and we were very sad. Our parents and friends were very supportive, which helped enormously. One of the most helpful things was being introduced, through the local Down's Syndrome Association group, to a family with a nine month-old daughter the Down’s syndrome. Meeting them showed us that we would be able to cope because they had.’
Brothers and sisters speaking
‘When my little sister was born, Mummy and Daddy told me she would be a bit different and would need help to learn things, more help than I did. She can do lots of things and I take her out to play. I think she is lovely.’ Angela aged 12.
‘My little brother can be a real nuisance. He gets everywhere and wants to play with all my books and toys but my older sister says I used to do that too when I was his age so I suppose I just have to be patient with him.’ Simon aged 9.
Grandparents have the last word
‘One of my friends reminded me recently that when I told her that my daughter’s first child had been born with Down’s syndrome, I said that my life would never be the same again. After 11 years I can say that what I said has been true, not in quite the negative sense I had anticipated, but in the richness of the experience we have had in watching our grand-daughter grow and develop.’ Lucy’s Grandma
‘I still feel moments of sadness when I think how much Timmy needs compared to my other grandchildren, but bit by bit, I can see some of the tricks in him that the other children have got up to and I know I am really glad to have him as part of our family.’ Timmy’s Grandpa
‘When telling relatives and friends that our much-wanted first child had Down’s syndrome we knew that they would find the news sad and we broke it to them gently. Our son has been accepted and visited by all’
‘By the time the diagnosis was made, Steven was already part of the family and we could not consider anything other than keeping him with us.’
‘When our little girl was born with Down’s syndrome, it was a terrible shock and we were very sad. Our parents and friends were very supportive, which helped enormously. One of the most helpful things was being introduced, through the local Down's Syndrome Association group, to a family with a nine month-old daughter the Down’s syndrome. Meeting them showed us that we would be able to cope because they had.’
Brothers and sisters speaking
‘When my little sister was born, Mummy and Daddy told me she would be a bit different and would need help to learn things, more help than I did. She can do lots of things and I take her out to play. I think she is lovely.’ Angela aged 12.
‘My little brother can be a real nuisance. He gets everywhere and wants to play with all my books and toys but my older sister says I used to do that too when I was his age so I suppose I just have to be patient with him.’ Simon aged 9.
Grandparents have the last word
‘One of my friends reminded me recently that when I told her that my daughter’s first child had been born with Down’s syndrome, I said that my life would never be the same again. After 11 years I can say that what I said has been true, not in quite the negative sense I had anticipated, but in the richness of the experience we have had in watching our grand-daughter grow and develop.’ Lucy’s Grandma
‘I still feel moments of sadness when I think how much Timmy needs compared to my other grandchildren, but bit by bit, I can see some of the tricks in him that the other children have got up to and I know I am really glad to have him as part of our family.’ Timmy’s Grandpa