We have known about Miss Banana's diagnosis of Down syndrome for 1 year. In that one year, I can count on one hand the number of times I have seen other people with Down syndrome in person:
1. A new parent meeting held by our local Nebraska Down syndrome family association where there was a cute little 18 month old girl eating Cheerios and exploring all the things she shouldn't touch in the room
2. A going away lunch my friends gave me at Valentino's--there was a girl who was probably early 20s eating with her friends
3. A Home Depot Project day in Nebraska--there was a boy about 8 or 9 who was NOT happy that the days project did not involve the use of a hammer (only wood glue was needed)
4. Piggly Wiggly--a man probably in his late 20s, working
5. The Buddy Walks here in the South (I group them together b/c it is expected to see people w/ Down syndrome at Buddy Walks!)
And that's it.
I crave seeing other people with Down syndrome--I am so thankful for the blogging community that at least lets me know that there ARE other people with Down syndrome out there, just not anywhere near me. I would happily attend a support group to try to meet more people, but the closest one to me is over an hour away, and they don't seem to meet regularly (or at all?) I would start my own group in my town, but oh wait, it would consist of JUST our family, so that kind of defeats the purpose of support "group".
Down syndrome isn't THAT uncommon.
So, my fellow families touched by Down syndrome, where are you???
From Our Family to Yours -
1 minute ago
7 comments:
oh I hope that you find someone to meet with. I haven't been out too much in the public with Wysdom so I love the blogging community. I bet after this post you will meet someone. I will keep my fingers crossed.:)
Are you sure there aren't people in your town that are just waiting for someone to pop out of the woodwork just like you are? Maybe it wouldn't hurt to put out some feelers and see if anyone answers? Like Sasha, I'll keep my fingers crossed for you!
Hi Carrie- I found your blog through the Oz Squad. What a cutie Little Miss Banana is! I was able to locate and meet up with some local parents by posting a query on the Down syndrome discussion group at Babycenter: http://community.babycenter.com/groups/a315/down_syndrome?
-Susan
Hi Carrie, Just saw your comment on OzSquad, so clicked over to your blog. I love your blog look and your children are adorable! I know what you mean about not seeing people w/ Ds in public. It's very rare for me, too. Luckily, over the past year we've met some great local bloggers and other moms with kids who have Ds. It's been really nice getting to know them and for the kids to grow up together. But that didn't happen until John Michael was about 17 months old. Can you ask your service coordinator or your therapists if there are families nearby who have a child in a similar age range? At least for now... you've got a huge online community, but i know it's not the same.
HELLO! It has almost been a year for us to...I am in Wyoming and we also have a small community...I only know 1 Ds person and that is my daughter...I have never met anyone else...I am scared...but slowing getting it! I also have found comfort in the blogging community..but have lost some friends over my fear of what we have gone through this past year...we could do a online support chat group...could be fun!!!
I'm in the south! And I'm a midwesterner by hx as well :) Mostly grew up in Michigan and Wisconsin with brief stints in Iowa, St.Louis and Indiana, but now we are at Clemson University- I have a husband turned professor as well- philosophy here- you might be my cyber-twinnie!
I loved your statement of how you crave seeing others with Ds. I can so relate! I am in a city and have seen people from time to time. recently I ran over to A woman with Ds, introduced 8 month old Adam and said this is my Son who has Ds. her response was priceless "No way! me too! Ive had Ds since I was a kid!" She told me he was so cute, and got onto her bus...alone. And I thought my heart just might burst!
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