March 21st marks World Down Syndrome Day, the theme for 2022 is ‘Inclusion Means’. Over the next couple of weeks we will publish a series of blogs written by our members about what inclusion means to them. Mum Lorraine Edwards tells us about her son Cameron’s participation in a local musical theatre group. Everyone has their Read more about Inclusion: Youth Music Theatre[…]

March 21st marks World Down Syndrome Day, the theme for 2022 is ‘Inclusion Means’. Over the next couple of weeks we will publish a series of blogs written by our members about what inclusion means to them. Today’s blog is written by Pippa’s mum, Samm Gee. When you have a child with a disability, inclusion Read more about The Difference Inclusion Can Make[…]

Written by An Howell. Sammy’s mum, advocate, supporter and loudest cheerleader Way back in 1974 when Sammy was born, I may not have known anything about Down syndrome or how it might affect our lives but what I did know was that the baby girl I held in my arms was my daughter and whatever Read more about Living Life and Loving it[…]

This week is Congenital Heart Disease Awareness Week. Today we are sharing Kirsty’s story. Many thanks to her mum Janet for sharing this with us. ‘Kirsty was born in summer 2001. When I was 24 weeks pregnant, an ultrasound scan showed Kirsty had a congenital heart abnormality. We were told she had a Ventricular Septal Defect (a Read more about Congenital Heart Disease: Kirsty’s story[…]

Written by her parents Ruth and Adam  We found out that Lucy had Down syndrome when we were 13-14 weeks pregnant. We were shocked and in emotional turmoil. Down syndrome hadn’t been in the ‘plan’. So when I got a call from an unknown nurse telling me our unborn child had an extra chromosome, our Read more about Lucy’s heart journey – a Christmas story[…]

Written by Rebecca Boke Neely At the Pride of Britain awards Becky Twigger and Jamie McCallum made powerful statements. “I still have that guilt of feeling sad, and I don’t want any other parent to feel that way.” “Everyone needs someone with Down syndrome in their life.” Having had someone with Down syndrome in my Read more about We are still only beginning to realise what a gift people with Down syndrome are to the world[…]

Maria Mackeigan writes our blog this week about her daughter, Jordan Grace. Find her at @321_blessed_mom Our diagnosis story isn’t the most positive one. I wish it was. The doctor pushed us to abort twice after telling us that our baby would never be able to dress or feed herself. He said she would be Read more about Jordan Grace[…]

by Hayley Newman at Downs Side Up Hayley Newman tells us why she and her daughter Mia self-published their book I Love You Natty and how the close relationship between the girls inspired this firm favourite with parents and children everywhere.  See more from Hayley @downssideup on social media or on her blog Downs Side Read more about Special Sisters’ Bond Inspires ‘I Love You Natty’ Book[…]

Written by Jennifer Lynn Hey, It’s October 1st, 2020. It’s starting to feel like Autumn. It’s a Thursday and you are stuck in the house again because of Covid. It’s also ROCKtober, but you don’t really know what that means yet. Today is when your journey begins. The day you will remember for the rest Read more about Letter to myself – 1 year ago[…]

Liz Arriens Me: “I think Coraline’s bored.” My mum: “I don’t think she’s bored; I think you’re bored.” Me: “I feel like maybe she needs different books with musical buttons.” Mum: “I think she likes the buttons in the books she has. You know the main thing she likes is to be with you.” This Read more about Ways we have grown this month: There’s no rush[…]