Down Syndrome

[Kelly in WI]

A friend just found out the baby she is pregnant with has Downs. She is a bit overwhelmed right now and I wondered if you could direct me to some web pages, books, etc for her.

[Hollie in SC]

:group: I would really suggest is finding out if you have a local support group and trying to make contact with them.
Talking/visiting with a family who is already living it out can make a bigger impact IMHO.

There are also several blogs that might encourage her just seeing day to day life:
Mine is not that exciting....just family photos to share with extended family. http://harvestchristianschool.blogspot.com/
Leslie's is http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/LeslieNelsen
Jill's: http://www.wherelearningflows.blogspot.com/

And I'm sure I missed several other rowers.

I would also be happy to email with her if she's interested. PM me if you want my address.

Praying for you as you minister to your friend and praying for her and her little one.

[Jill S]

I think Hollie has a great idea in finding a local support group. I would be reluctant for her to look through websites, especially medical sites, too much right now. Sometimes the unknowns are so hard to deal with and she might run the risk of projecting every possible problem onto her unborn baby and then she would be even more overwhelmed. When her precious little one is born then she'll need to look but for now I think it would be most helpful just to see how normal our everyday lives can be. Lots of support groups have a buddy system and they might be able to assign a buddy to your friend, someone who has a child with DS and would be available to talk. After we had Emma, our buddy came over and brought dessert, her children and lots of hope!

I'm not aware of any websites that have a compendium of accomplishments by people with DS, but it wouldn't surprise me if one existed. Othewise blogs like Hollie mentioned would be great.

[Chalane (FL)]

If she googles Down Syndrome she should find the Nat'l Down Syndrome Society's website. I actually take a little bit dif. approach than Jill. I wanted to know everything that might happen medically and when Joey was born prematurely I was very glad I had the info. to ask doctors specific questions about Downs. I found having time to mentally prepare a blessing. That is something your friend will have to decide based on her own personality. I absolutely agree that she should try to find a local support group, if one doesn't show up on an internet search, she could try calling places like the ARC or even Goodwill that may have the number of such a group. She may also want to look into contacting an early intervention program in your area (the doctor should have the specific name your state uses) they can inform her on what types of therapies are avail. through them and they are usually little or no cost. My early intervention program had a play group that also served as a support group for the moms.:group: and prayers for your friend and for you.

[Chalane (FL)]

BTW Kelly I forgot to mention something I tell all new special needs mommies. That it is not just okay it's natural to mourn the baby they aren't/don't have anymore (that perfect baby with the entire world at their feet that can grow up to be anything they want). Many parents of special needs children go through this process and feel guilty over it, but again these are very normal feeling. The best thing anyone did for me, when I found out my second child was special needs too, was my sis she just held me and cried with me.

[Jill S]

And that's why we're glad you're here, Chalane!! You actually went through it whereas I didn't find out until Emma was born. I was basing my answer more on some friends who said that finding out about the DS ruined their pregnancies because of all the 'what ifs' but I can also see that being prepared to ask questions is a mighty handy tool. It isn't always fun to be post-partum and trying to figure out all those details with a newborn needing attention.