WHAT IS DOWN SYNDROME? 

Down syndrome (Ds) is a genetic condition (i.e something you are born with, which is present in the baby from the moment of conception) caused by the presence of an extra chromosome. Chromosomes are tiny particles, which are present in every cell in every part of our bodies.  They carry the ‘blueprint’ for all the characteristics we inherit. This blueprint is carried in the form of a coded message in a chemical substance called DNA. There are 23 pairs of chromosomes in each cell, meaning 46 total. One of each pair comes from the father and one from the mother.

 

In 1959, a French geneticist, Professor Jérôme Lejeune, discovered that Down syndrome (Ds) was caused by the presence of an extra copy of chromosome 21, making 47 chromosomes in all.

 

A ‘syndrome’ is a collection of signs or characteristics. The name ‘Down’ comes from the English doctor, John Langdon Down, who first described the syndrome in 1866, nearly 100 years before the extra chromosome was discovered.

 

Every day, between two and three babies are born with Down syndrome (Ds), which means that about one baby in 800 has the condition.

 

People with Down syndrome (Ds) all have a certain degree of learning disability. The degree of disability varies from person to person and it is impossible to tell at birth what that degree will be.

 

WHAT DOES THE EXTRA CHROMOSOME MEAN FOR OUR BABY? 

All people with Down syndrome share certain physical characteristics, though not every child with the condition has every characteristic.  Individuals with DS will have inherited physical characteristics from both parents, just like any of their other children, as well as sharing some of the common signs of Ds.  The number of physical Down syndrome characteristics an individual may have is in no way an indication of their abilities.

 

The extra chromosome means that these individuals will be slower to reach their milestones and may have a certain degree of learning difficulty.  Most people with Down syndrome learn to walk, talk, ride a bike, read and write. In fact they do most of the things other children do, it’s just that their development is usually delayed.

 

WHAT DOES THE FUTURE HOLD FOR OUR CHILD? 

Children with Down syndrome can and do grow up to live long and fulfilled lives. Provided they are allowed the opportunities they need to develop self-help skills and independence.  People with Down syndrome can thrive well into their fifties and beyond, facing many of the challenges we all encounter: school, further education, work, and a home of one’s own. Many individuals with Ds are integrated successfully into mainstream schools.

 

People with Down syndrome are more like you and me than they are different?

We are more alike than different; each of us unique with our own set of wants and needs, strengths and weaknesses.  If you leave today with nothing else, please hold on to that idea.

 

What is your Potential?

The simple fact each person– regardless of ability – is a package of potential.

And where gifted children can grow into failure; children with Down syndrome can change the world.

“Never underestimate the power of dreams and the influence of the human spirit. We are all the same in this notion: The potential for greatness lives within each of us.” (Wilma Rudolph)