One Special Friend

One Special Friend

I have a friend who's name I won't reveal. He was born a little different, but that's not a big deal. He has a talent for music and art. He's so funny and kind at heart. Since this rhyme is getting a big lame, I'm going to tell you my story of my one special friend.

Colin is a 10 year old boy who happens to be one of my brothers best friends. He was born with Down Syndrome. With down syndrome, Colin often questions himself and why he can't do the things his friends and brother can do. Last summer, Colin's parents sent him to a 2 week camp where there were kids just like him. When he got him, he was telling the story of how he had so much fun 
and he had made so many friends. I have seen many instances where kids have been just tossed because of this disorder. It hurts me to see how kids like my friend aren't treated the same way. I hope one day that kids with Down Syndrome will be treated like any other kid. I think most people treat children with Down Syndrome too nicely is because they believe that down syndrome is an down set. When it shouldn’t be considered that way, each person is made equal and we shouldn’t treat anyone better or worse based on how they look and how they act. We each were born the way we are to strive for the best we can. I think school is hard for children with down syndrome because at a young age, kids are curious and they wonder and ask about why others aren’t the same as them. They wonder why they can’t do the same things they can, or why they are limited  to different actives. As the person gets older, they begin to realize they are different and special. Colin is going into middle school this year, he is always asking why he can’t do some things that his brother can. There are many cases in which people with down syndrome are overlooked and seen as “handicapped”, when in reality they are as fully capable as any other person. Once everyone notices that everyone is equal, there will be less people overlooked and given more chances to become the best they can be.

http://www.sandiegodownsyndrome.org/Main

Ransom Notes

This past weekend, we were visited by the talented musicians, "The Ransom Notes". San Diego Down Syndrome raised $1000 from the event.  But among side the financial aspect we showed the potential of kids with developmental disabilities. Many were greatly inspired by this wonderful family. They played 4 performances over 4 days to 100's of people. Amanda the musician with Down Syndrome was taught by the suzuki method to play an instrument as well as her siblings. They now have lots of pride to carry on with their music. They had a lot of fun playing for us and we had lots of fun just listening to their music. 


http://www.sandiegodownsyndrome.org/Main

Jenna's Story: A Daughter’s Life with Down Syndrome

Jenna was a premie baby who  was born four weeks early and immediately rushed into surgery. She was diagnosed in the womb with a intestinal problem that many children with Down Syndrome had commonly known as trisomy 21. Soon after Jenna was born it was clear that she had Down syndrome. The mother only got to hold her daughter for about 30 seconds because they took Jenna to surgery. The good news being that the surgery was successful.  

The list of possible medical problems for a child with trisomy 21 is shockingly long. People think of the cognitive delays and a certain physical clumsiness or awkwardness, but most don’t have a clue how complicated the condition’s medical problems are.

At 10 weeks old, Jenna had a virus called RSV and had to be on a respirator for 14 days. She went into heart failure twice.

As time progressed Jenna got stronger. In 2003, Jenna was the first patient at the Trisomy 21 Clinic. They couldn’t find an effective way to discipline her. She wasn’t jumping. She was waking up in the middle of the night crying. Dr. Pipan at the Trisomy 21 Clinic had a 2 hour appointment with Jenna, by the end of the day the mother was sobbing. She had gave the mother books about how to potty train children with special needs , she diagnosed Jenna with night terrors, which we could then treat. She explained that Jenna didn’t understand negatives in a sentence, so “Don’t eat that” sounded like “Eat that.” They found new ways to speak to her. A physical therapist helped Jenna learn to jump. 

Jenna is now a funny, personable 12-year-old middle schooler. She takes dance class, plays field hockey, cheerleads, swims at camp, keeps up with her friends and plays a mean game of tag. While she is behind grade level in reading and math, she goes to school with the general population and she has friends of all ability levels.

They're so many multiple things like Jenna's story that have affect so many different types of people changing lives of each and every individual in their community. Many TV shows are showing how much Down syndrome affects everyone like the Fox's show "Glee" or "Secret life of An American Teenager" . 

Thank you 

My Bio

Hey! I am a current blogger for San Diego Down Syndrome. I’m a current high school student born in 1998. I enjoy reading and writing in my spare time. After high school, I plan to go on and get a degree in biology with a career for cancer research to follow. I am interested in Down syndrome because I have met and helped a few children with this condition. One of my close family friends has Down syndrome also so I have one on one interaction with him. I love his enthusiasm and happiness with everything he does. The people who inspire me are my family and my best friend. I one day hope to go on and help many people around the world.  I look forward to working with San Diego Down Syndrome for the upcoming months.