When we first heard that our infant son had Down syndrome, our world
collapsed. Like many, we knew very little about Down syndrome, and
we feared that Nick’s disorder would darken the joy in our lives and
compromise our family. After recovery from the initial shock, we discovered
that our fears were both unfounded and outdated: the outlook for children
with Down syndrome has changed dramatically over the past twenty-five
years.
We now know that Nick’s life is one of possibilities, not limitations.
Those that spend a little time with him see nothing but an energetic,
intelligent and sweet little boy. Nick has been and will continue
to be a great blessing. We are thrilled by his personality and progress,
and we expect he will lead a joy-filled and productive life.
The road is not as smooth for all children with Down syndrome. Many
times new parents do not receive accurate information about this
most common genetic disorder. Many times young children do not receive
the early intervention services necessary to ensure they reach their
potential. Sometimes even the professionals entrusted with their
care lack updated knowledge about medical and therapeutic options.
Our vision of hope is that a time will come when new parents are
not given the “bad” news. They are simply given the news. A time
when obtaining services for children with Down syndrome is not a
battle. It is just routine. And most importantly, a time when children
with Down syndrome are not viewed as a drain on society as so often
is the case, but are welcomed, valued and supported by their community
for the diversity and love they bring into this world.
Thank you for joining us this evening. Your contributions will
surely make a difference in the lives of children with Down syndrome. |
