October Awareness

October is Down Syndrome Awareness month. I'm going to do my best to blog about DS and help spread the word.

A few facts:

350,000 Americans have DS and approximately 5000 babies are born with DS each year. Women can now choose testing that indicate whther or not the baby they're carrying has Down syndrome. Of those that receive a diagnosis of DS, 90% choose to terminate the pregnancy.

Down syndrome is the most common genetic abnormality. It is the result of extra genetic material on the 21st chromosome, thus the medical term is Trisomy 21. It is not the result of inadequate pre-natal care, it is a genetic condition that occurs when the cells divide shortly after fertilization.

People with DS may take longer to do some things, but they are not stupid. People with DS have talents and gifts just like everyone else. I personally know of a woman with DS who serves on the Olympic Committee and speaks 3 different languages.

Down syndrome is not a curse nor is it a terrible thing. Those of us who've been touched by Down syndrome in our lives will tell you that it's a blessing.