Comments on: Einstein Syndrome

By: James Greenwood

James Greenwood — Mon, 10 Oct 2011 09:21:46 +0000

My unborn daughter (my first child too!) has been diagnosed with DS. After the initial 'shock' I viewed this very negatively and had many thoughts running through my head - will she be 'deformed', will she be 'retarded', will she live past 40, will she spend her life tarnished by social stigma? I was lucky in that I received some extremely positive advice from Dr Pierce at Leeds General Infirmary. She explained that whatever this little kid needed that help would be there and that the type of adult she would grow to become was mostly down to us as parents. Of course it will be challenging, but it's certainly not impossible that my daughter will lead a happy, independent and fulfilling life. I won't be forcing her to be something that she isn't, but I'll be guiding her to achieve each of her goals, realise her ambitions and give her the opportunity to be a responsible member of society. That is what any parent should do. I refuse to 'give up', and from the scans I've seen...so does she. Little Starling. x [What an awesome doctor, and absolutely right! Take a look at this video that I just saw today: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rnT-tKp7JMg So much does depend on the parents and the choices you make. You have already made the first correct choice, Embrace Your Calling. - Miriam ]

By: Rochelle Wilson

Rochelle Wilson — Sun, 01 May 2011 21:11:43 +0000

I love all the comments! We have four wonderful daughters, ages 8 – 17. The youngest has DS, and we LOVE her to death! I have home-schooled for the past nine yrs., and I will continue to teach our Sarah at home, unless God intervenes. Sarah has brought so much joy to our family and friends…she really is a glory to God! We have always treated her like the other girls, with a few exceptions, and she has always amazed us with her thinking skills. Of course, we teach her according to her cognitive skills; she is eight, but is learning at a 5-6 yr old level. She was climbing our play structure at age two, and has always kept us on our toes! If anyone reads this comment, please know that your child is more capable than society would lead you to believe…just give them a chance!

By: Diane

Diane — Thu, 24 Feb 2011 17:41:32 +0000

I am so glad I stumbled onto this website! I have a bright little girl who is now 19 months old. She has DS which accounts for her brilliant smile that lights up the room. I found out when I was 20 weeks pregnant and also was cautioned about how hard it would be but she was my child and I wanted her. Her father did decide that he couldn’t/wouldn’t handle it.

She is doing so well but I am a pushy mom! She is my 3rd child and I expect her to meet the same milestones as the first 2 if possible. She is almost walking but has leukemia and that is affecting her strength. But this week, she decided to be potty trained and is doing extremely well at it. Everytime someone compares her to her “expections due to DS” they are very surprised but how “normal” she is.

It is so great to know other people are able to see them as more than sweet loving people. She is just as smart as she is funny!

By: Dagny

Dagny — Wed, 01 Dec 2010 21:13:17 +0000

This is so true. My sis Nora has DS and she was walking when she was two, and can easily do things that most kids can do. Sure, she was slowed down a bit by her DS but that isn’t really important. I mean….having an extra chromosome isn’t the end of the world!! My mom treated Nora just like any of the other kids and with us, she had us playing the violin/viola when we were three or four. Nora is doing the piano. We are pushing her to learn her letters. Plus, she does sign language fluently and is learning words quickly.
And she’s only three. In my opinion, this is only the beginning.

By: Romy

Romy — Sat, 24 Jul 2010 03:19:01 +0000

My beautiful baby brother will turn 30 next Saturday! I remember my parents bringing him home from the hospital worried, stressed and without the joy I’d been expecting a new baby to bring. But his unlimited ability to love and laugh brightened up my parents fears. Everyone is so proud of our handsome, polite and friendly young man. He reads, works, is a fabulous ballroom dancer, swimmer and always wanting to help others. A few years ago he surprised us all by getting himself a girlfriend, asking out a young lady whose parents my parents had met at a support group for families with Down Syndrome children. He phoned her and asked her to a movie and restaurant without making much of a fuss about it at all. a few weeks later they were holding hands and proclaiming they would be together forever! It’s so nice to see him have a companion and look towards building his own future. His girlfriend is a very capable young lady whose parents fought hard to have her taught in the mainstream school system where she learnt to read and write and she did so well she even has her drivers licence and is a very capable and careful driver. My parents regret they did not push my brothers teachers more but a few years ago they got him a tutor and within months he had learnt letters and was on his way to reading fluently.
People with DS are very special. They are full of love and they are wise and smart. Don’t underestimate them. Sure, some things are hard for them, but there is so, so much they can do if they are loved.

By: 2. Beware of Creeping Low Expectations « Einstein Syndrome: Down Syndrome with a Positive Attitude

Thu, 04 Mar 2010 00:08:40 +0000

[...] Einstein Syndrome [...]

By: MAgdalena Vázquez

MAgdalena Vázquez — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 21:15:57 +0000

Miriam, Thank you for this article, it made my day when I read it. I beleive a positive attitude makes a great difference in bringing up a child with Down Syndrome. I have a 10 month baby his name is Ismael, I didn´t want a prenatal test because I don´t beleive in abortion and even though he was a surprise for me it was better this way. I´m learning on how to bring him up and how to take care of him. Your page has been a great resource for me. I live in Mexico in the city of Queretaro, Ismael goes to school (early intervention)since he was 40 days old and he´s getting physical teraphy, I don´t see a great difference between him and his siblings, I have a 15 year old son and a 13 year old daughter, maybe Ismael is a little slower, but I have this feeling that he understands perfectly what we say and how we feel about him ;a strange but beatiful feeling. I truly beleive he has a very special spirit. Every day I´m learning and every day I'm proud of him and our family. Well thanks for making this page available for us, where we can share with other families with children with DS, I´m very far away but I feel close to all of you! [I'm so glad this article was a good resource for you. As you work with Ismael, and as you help him to grow and learn, please keep in mind what I wrote in this post Don't Wait for Their Own Time. The two articles go hand in hand. -Miriam ]

By: Carrie

Carrie — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 20:39:14 +0000

I have a 7 year old daughter with downs syndrome. She is my sweetie pie, I love her unconditionally. We have had struggles with her school, they don’t have the same viewpoint I have. I believe she needs to be challenged, even a “normal kid” won’t advance if they are not challenged to. They are STILL teaching her colors, shapes, and counting, and she has been able to do that for YEARS! I have always been active in working with her at home, I never say she can’t do that, or she’s never going to do that, I am the one that says STOP TEACHING HER SIGN LANGUAGE she is not deaf, she can speak, but she needs help pronouncing her words…things like that. I feel bad because despite my best efforts she is behind, and I feel she could be doing so much more than she is now. I just don’t know EVERYTHING there is to know about HOW to help her develop more. I am always proud of her, even when she is not able to do something despite her best efforts, I always praise her and hug her and tell her how happy I am. She get frustrated A LOT and I always try to reassure her that it is o.k. that she can’t always do things she wants to do, like draw a girl, or write her name. well, I just saw this website and immediately fell in love, and wanted to share!

By: Momma Monday: Let’s think about the word special « The Tao of Tulips

Momma Monday: Let’s think about the word special « The Tao of Tulips — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 05:54:23 +0000

[...] a more articulate version of my point in relation specifically to Down syndrome- pop over and visit Miriam and read what she has to [...]

By: Lou

Lou — Sun, 07 Jun 2009 13:25:22 +0000

I have an 8month old son who has ds and this article sums up how i hope i am going to continue bringing him up, exactly the same as his 2 sisters. He interacts brilliantly with them already down to vocalising his annoyance if they get bananas before him!