Bellerose, New York
Emily was born September 16, 2003. We were ecstatic. We had the perfect pair (we also have a son who is 3 years older than Emily). Shortly after she was born, I began to have weird dreams. In these dreams a doctor is telling me my beautiful baby girl has Down Syndrome. I pushed these dreams out of my mind after talking to a friend of mine who works with kids with DS.
As Emily got older, I noticed she wasn't doing things other children were doing. She wasn't rolling over or sitting up. She was alert and happy, but I began to get concerned. (She was just about a year old.) After talking with the doctor, I told her that I was calling Early Intervention. EI came to evaluate Emily and it was decided that Emily needed Physical Therapy. In fact, the PT who evaluated Emily commented that she had "muscle tone like a baby with Down Syndrome." This shocked me because my dream was similar to this. I pushed it out of my mind and Emily started improving with therapy.
Within a few months, Emily began to crawl and sit up. Then she pulled to standing and began to walk. We were elated. We added Occupational Therapy because we noticed that Emily could not grasp objects or feed herself.
In April of 2006, our older child was diagnosed with Autism. While sitting at the neurologist's office, I was talking to a parent who was there because her child had low muscle tone. I talked with my husband about the possibility of seeing the neurologist to find out what was going on with Emily.
Just before the appointment, a friend of the family suggested we have Emily tested for Down Syndrome. I responded with, "She doesn't have Down Syndrome features." (This woman's daughter has Down Syndrome.) She explained that children with DS don't always have all the characteristics. Our friend explained that she had been watching Emily develop and it might be a good idea to check it out.
At first, the neurologist didn't think it was possible. Emily had one or two features, but they could be explained in the family. He tested her blood.
We were shocked to find out that Emily had 6% Down Syndrome cells. I couldn't believe what I was hearing. My AFP blood test had been normal and I had had a normal pregnancy.
I immediately got to work getting Emily into a program. She now attends school 5 days a week for 2 1/2 hours per day. She also receives PT, OT and Speech and she is doing beautifully. (She is approximately 33% delayed in all areas.) She is beginning to talk and she loves running around after her brother.
Emily will be 3 in September and we have high hopes for her. We still don't know how she will do in terms of her IQ and learning, but we love her and will support her through her difficulties. She is our sweet princess and all who meet her fall in love with her instantly.
I am honored to know that I have been chosen to be her Mom.
Within a few months, Emily began to crawl and sit up. Then she pulled to standing and began to walk. We were elated. We added Occupational Therapy because we noticed that Emily could not grasp objects or feed herself.
In April of 2006, our older child was diagnosed with Autism. While sitting at the neurologist's office, I was talking to a parent who was there because her child had low muscle tone. I talked with my husband about the possibility of seeing the neurologist to find out what was going on with Emily.
Just before the appointment, a friend of the family suggested we have Emily tested for Down Syndrome. I responded with, "She doesn't have Down Syndrome features." (This woman's daughter has Down Syndrome.) She explained that children with DS don't always have all the characteristics. Our friend explained that she had been watching Emily develop and it might be a good idea to check it out.
At first, the neurologist didn't think it was possible. Emily had one or two features, but they could be explained in the family. He tested her blood.
We were shocked to find out that Emily had 6% Down Syndrome cells. I couldn't believe what I was hearing. My AFP blood test had been normal and I had had a normal pregnancy.
I immediately got to work getting Emily into a program. She now attends school 5 days a week for 2 1/2 hours per day. She also receives PT, OT and Speech and she is doing beautifully. (She is approximately 33% delayed in all areas.) She is beginning to talk and she loves running around after her brother.
Emily will be 3 in September and we have high hopes for her. We still don't know how she will do in terms of her IQ and learning, but we love her and will support her through her difficulties. She is our sweet princess and all who meet her fall in love with her instantly.
I am honored to know that I have been chosen to be her Mom.
Updated: March 4, 2008
Emily is now 4 years old and she will be entering kindergarten in September. (She turns 5 in Sept.) Emily has been attending ACDS (Association for Children with Down Syndrome) since she turned 3. She is in a mixed ability class this year. Only 4 children (including Emily) are affected by DS. The other children have mild learning issues. Emily is now recognizing all the letters of the alphabet and the numbers 1-31 (in print) She loves to point out letters and numbers whenever she sees them. As of now, it looks as if Emily will be in a Collaborative Team Teaching Class (Special Ed and General Ed in the same class). We are so proud of everything she has accomplished. She is loved by so many people! She is always happy and as sweet as candy.
I never thought having a child with MDS would be filled with so much joy, but I am so proud that she has been given to me.
Emily is now 4 years old and she will be entering kindergarten in September. (She turns 5 in Sept.) Emily has been attending ACDS (Association for Children with Down Syndrome) since she turned 3. She is in a mixed ability class this year. Only 4 children (including Emily) are affected by DS. The other children have mild learning issues. Emily is now recognizing all the letters of the alphabet and the numbers 1-31 (in print) She loves to point out letters and numbers whenever she sees them. As of now, it looks as if Emily will be in a Collaborative Team Teaching Class (Special Ed and General Ed in the same class). We are so proud of everything she has accomplished. She is loved by so many people! She is always happy and as sweet as candy.
I never thought having a child with MDS would be filled with so much joy, but I am so proud that she has been given to me.
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