Topic: Information Point: What Parents Have Said About Receiving Positive, Balanced Information Copy
Take time to give specific information about development and the need for support.
“They gave me a book called Babies with Down Syndrome: A New Parents’ Guide and thumbed through it with me…They explained that she would learn to walk and talk, and dress herself and go to school with other kids and that she could even hold a job and possibly marry one day!…. They also found out if I had anybody to support me such as family or friends, especially since I was doing this as a single parent.”
Offer to provide information about local support groups and contacting other parents.
“My advice to medical professionals would be to put parents and parents-to-be of children with Down syndrome in contact with other parents …Perhaps spending time with a child with Down syndrome, or visiting a local Down syndrome association or family would provide helpful insight into the uniqueness of these individuals and the many talents they have as well.”
Realize the impact of what you are saying and provide a balanced perspective.
“Learning that the child you are carrying has Down syndrome can be devastating. Most people are unfamiliar with the syndrome or know very little.… It would have been helpful if I could have been presented with a more positive vision of the possibilities… Individuals with Down syndrome have faces, personalities and so much to give the world. There are challenges, but every child encounters some type of challenge – that’s life.”