MYTH: Parents will not find community support in bringing up their child with Down syndrome.
TRUTH: Almost every community in the United States has parents support groups and other community organizations directly involved in providing services to families of individuals with Down syndrome. These organizations provide programs such as: new parent support and education, family meetings, sibling and grandparent support, recreational activities, lending libraries, helplines, regional conferences, partnerships with Down syndrome clinics, training for medical professionals and educators, advocacy, and buddy walks. To find a support group in your area, visit this ndss.org page.
Today was our local organization's Step Up for Down Syndrome walk. All together, over $130,000 was raised! In addition for raising funds for our location organization, which does so much for the families with children with Down syndrome, this event is a great way to network with other families who are raising a child with Down syndrome.
I got to meet another family who adopted from Armenia! Their son came home a few months after Octavia came home and was in the same orphanage (small world). It's so wonderful to meet other families who are raising a loved one with Down syndrome, especially ones who have been adopted. Adopted children come with their own special needs in addition to their medical diagnoses. Raising a child with Down syndrome is different for all families but for many who have adopted a child with Down syndrome out of choice, the path tends to feel different from the path of those families whose biological child has Down syndrome.
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| Octavia and Sam meet. |
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| Hugs! |
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