world down syndrome day

i don't show too many photo's of my family here at green seed

but today i thought i would introduce you to my middle son, wil.

he has down syndrome. if you would like to read more about

our early years with wil you can check out my old blog

blessed chaos. i've been toying around with the idea

of including more family life here at gsc but for now

i'll start with this, in honor of wil and world down

syndrome day.  

this day was chosen to symbolize the third copy

of chromosome 21 in Trisomy 21, the most common form of Down syndrome.

21 facts about down syndrome

1. the life expectancy of people with down syndrome was 25 in 1983, today it is 60!

2. 1 in every 691 babies is born with down syndrome. ethnicity and socioeconomic

group have no bearing on this number.

3. people with down syndrome have individual gifts and talents, just like

everyone else.



4. in the united states, if you want to adopt a child with down syndome you

are added to a waiting list. the secret is out that having a child

with down syndrome is an amazing blessing.

5. many countries do not know this and children with down syndrome

are abandoned and institutionalized. thankfully, there are organizations

like reece's rainbow to help raise awareness and find homes for

these precious kids.

6. 94 % of siblings expressed pride in their brother or sister with down syndrome
and 88% felt they were better people because of them.

7. there are 400,000 people with down syndrome living in the united states.

8. 80% of babies born with down syndrome are born to women under 35.

9. quality educational programs, a stimulating home environment, good health care,

and positive support from family, friends and the community enable people

with down syndrome to develop their full potential and lead fulfilling lives.

10. people with down syndrome have feelings just like everyone else in the population.
they experience the full range of emotions. they respond to positive expressions of friendship and they are hurt and upset by inconsiderate behavior.

11. a few of the common physical traits of Down syndrome are low muscle tone,
small stature, an upward slant to the eyes, and a single deep crease
across the center of the palm. Every person with Down syndrome is a unique
individual and may possess these characteristics to different degrees or not at all.

12. 99% of people with down syndrome like their lives and 97% like who they are.

13. 50% of babies with Down syndrome are also born with a heart defect.

14. In the US, canada, and some other countries, it is down syndrome, not the possessive “down’s syndrome.”

15. while dr. john langdon down first described the common characteristics of people
with down syndrome, it was actually dr jerome lejeune who first
identified it as a chromosome 21 trisomy in 1959.

16. people with down syndrome attend school, work, participate in decisions that
affect them, and contribute to society in many wonderful ways.

17. down syndrome is the most commonly occuring chromosomal condition.

18. caring for and loving a child with down syndrome is NOT a burden.

19. down syndrome is not a disease and people with down syndrome do not

"suffer from down syndrome."

20. people with down syndrome are often subject to unfair stereotypes. right the

wrongs and separate fact from fiction with the ndss

myths and truths guide and celebrate all people with down syndrome!

21. this is the first year that world down syndrome day is officially
recognized by the united nations!  join the global celebration and let

everyone know that people with down syndrome should

be valued, accepted and included!

~ stacy and wil ~