Thursday, October 1, 2009
Down Syndrome Awareness Month!!!
October is Down Syndrome Awareness Month!!! I asked on facebook last night, I'll ask here too, what one fact can you tell me about Down syndrome? Watch for your answers in an upcoming post!
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I can't find where I read it, but people with Down syndrome were thought to be gods in ancient Aztec or Incan culture. There are even recordings that this culture tried to "breed" these "gods" by getting women and men with Down syndrome to mate. They were never successful with this. I will keep looking for more details Renee!
Yes, I had read about this somewhere too. I think it was in China, there were cave paintings showing people with down Syndrome depicted as God or people blessed with Godly powers. I don't remember it exactly. And, the article also said that it was one of the earliest recordings of down syndrome.
Down syndrome occurs in one out of 800 live births, in all races and economic groups. Dr.John Langdon Down, was the first physician to identify Down syndrome. In turn, this said syndrome was named, Down syndrome.
Down Syndrome is Trisomy 21, a chromosomal abnormality where instead of having just 2 of the chromosome 21 there are 3. It leads to heart and other physical and mental issues.
Of all of the trisomies, it has the best and longest life expectancy.
I know this b/c my daughter was born with Trisomy 18 (aka Edwards Syndrome) which is "incompatible with life", she was with us for nearly 5 precious months.
And these people are very special spirits and should be treated as such.
An estimated 92% of women with a prenatal diagnosis of Down syndrome choose to terminate the pregnancy. Sigh.
While Dr. John Down was the first to list the characteristics of Down syndrome, Dr. Jerome Lejeune was the first to discover the cause for Down syndrome in 1959
Babies with Down syndrome can be born to mothers of ANY age - not just "over 35."
There are more than 400,000 people living with Down syndrome in the United States.
It is believed by some that children with DS will not benefit from early PT since they will eventually learn to walk by the age of 3 without PT. This is not the case. Early intervention assists the child to move appropriately by strengthening the correct muscles and in most cases learn to walk earlier than 3.
Anna
I had heard that fact about Incan culture as well when I was living in Ecuador, because they were "different" that was considered "higher functioning" and a gift from the gods (that's how it was told to me).
A couple more I find interesting....low muscle tone is a common trait, leading to increased flexibility (I worked with a 24 year old woman who slept folded in half...her body was folded inside her legs, which rested along her sides). And the speech issues are most often related to a smaller mouth, not larger tongue like a lot of people assume.
What i have learned from your family, Renee, is that it isn't the end of the world...Down Syndrome does not change the fact that this is God's child, beautifully made! Down Syndrome does not define the child :)
oh yes and a medical fact is that it is in Individuals who have 47 chromosones instead of the usual 46 ;)
There are 3 types of Down Syndrome-The traditional trisomy 21 with an extra 21st chromosome present in all cells, Mosaic Down Syndrome where only some of the cells are affected by trisomy 21, and translocation in which a piece of Chromosome 21 breaks off and attaches at another location, most commonly Chromosome 14 (my sister has Translocation Down syndrome)
I know that some people stereotype those with Down Syndrome as "retarted" and they can't do anything. They will never learn anything and always be a burden on their familys.
I know that some people stereotype those with Down Syndrome as always loveable.
I know without any stereotypes that those with Down Syndrome are people first and always!
My favorite fact to share... there are THOUSANDS of children abroad living out their days in orphanages and mental institutions just waiting for a forever family... and even if a person can't adopt, they can still sponsor a child or family to help with their adoption at www.reecesrainbow.org Of course... I shared that with you quite some time ago :) LOL
We were blessed with a son with Down syndrome from birth and found another orphan in Korea.
Life with a child who has Down syndrome is the best.
6 months after Josh was born with Down syndrome, I attended my first parent group. I was touched by the struggle people were having with “why?” I went to bed with a heavy heart and awoke with this story. I hope you enjoy it.
http://tinyurl.com/secretjourney
What I have learned in the last 5+ years is that a diagnosis of Down Syndrome doesn't define who that baby will be, or what that child's limitations will be. Kennedy has brought so much to our lives and has made me so proud to say I'm her Grandma...it's a joy watching her grow up - she teaches me new things all time.
Mom (and Kennedy's Grandma :o)
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