Down Syndrome Awareness Month!

It's Down Syndrome (DS) Awareness Month! On my 3rd year doing this, my goal is for the facts that I post to sound familiar to friends and family. I want you to think "I already knew that," because you learned from me before! I want you to be able to share what you learned with other people you know, so that DS becomes a more acceptable part of our culture.

What is Down Syndrome? Individuals with DS have an extra copy of the 21st chromosome. They are more similar to everyone else than they are different. Before the 1980's, the majority of people with DS were institutionalized. It was standard procedure for a doctor to advise parents that their child was less than human, would have numerous medical issues, and would be better off in an institution. Evie is our gift and I am so glad that we are not missing out on the joy that we have with her in our lives.

I hope you enjoy this video about a woman with Down Syndrome who was institutionalized for 35 years and then became a renowned artist.

https://themighty.com/video/this-artist-with-down-syndrome-was-institutionalized-for-35-years-now-her-work-is-world-renowned/

Little newborn Evie with a bowling ball head--I was definitely keeping her!

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Evie the Extraordinary and Her Mommy: The Journey As We Go

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