Cromwell, Connecticut
Nathan was born on October 7, 1994, on the maternity unit that I worked on as a labor nurse. He was a perfectly normal baby, except that he would not breastfeed. He had a dysfunctional suck, so we worked with him for a while. He never quite got the knack of a good latch, so I just pumped milk and managed to get him breast milk for the first 3 - 4 months of his life. He was not diagnosed with Mosaic Down syndrome until he was 4 months old.
It was noticed by his physician that he had some facial characteristics and low muscle tone in his shoulders. (There had been some times during his early neonatal period that I thought he looked like he had Down syndrome, but I quickly dismissed the thoughts as just nervousness coming from a new mother/labor nurse.)
At four months of age, Nathan was developing normally with the exception of some low muscle tone. He has had no cardiac problems, no respiratory problems, no gastrointestinal problems (except a hemorrhoid), no hearing or visual problems, AND NO EAR INFECTIONS!!!! Praise the LORD!!! Nathan's most challenging area is in speech. He has made great advances in his gross motor and is now where he should be developmentally for his age.
In the past year he has made a year's worth of progress in all areas instead of lagging behind. He will be going into the first grade and requires special education intervention but he is learning to read. He is beginning to sound out words on his own when he reads. Nathan has a brother who is 18 months younger than he...oooops. They get along great. In some areas Nathan is ahead of his brother and in some areas his brother is ahead of him. They are great gifts to each other.
I was very excited to come across this website. When I first found out about MDS, I tried to find some kind of information or support. I could find none. I felt like a pioneer.... but very alone. I look forward to contacting someone or someone contacting me. God's blessings in the name of Jesus to all who read this!!
At four months of age, Nathan was developing normally with the exception of some low muscle tone. He has had no cardiac problems, no respiratory problems, no gastrointestinal problems (except a hemorrhoid), no hearing or visual problems, AND NO EAR INFECTIONS!!!! Praise the LORD!!! Nathan's most challenging area is in speech. He has made great advances in his gross motor and is now where he should be developmentally for his age.
In the past year he has made a year's worth of progress in all areas instead of lagging behind. He will be going into the first grade and requires special education intervention but he is learning to read. He is beginning to sound out words on his own when he reads. Nathan has a brother who is 18 months younger than he...oooops. They get along great. In some areas Nathan is ahead of his brother and in some areas his brother is ahead of him. They are great gifts to each other.
I was very excited to come across this website. When I first found out about MDS, I tried to find some kind of information or support. I could find none. I felt like a pioneer.... but very alone. I look forward to contacting someone or someone contacting me. God's blessings in the name of Jesus to all who read this!!
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