Down’s syndrome.  Sometimes we (as a community) wish we could alleviate the fear that some parents seem to have about the condition.  Life in 2016 isn’t like it was 20 years ago, but rather than write a long blog, the wonderful FoD community is going to let you have a look at our kids. If […]

From the day I first thought about schools for Seren, I always knew I would allow her to lead the way.  Schooling and education are important to us as a family, and I knew I wanted to have Seren educated in a setting most suited to her needs.  As time went on it became more […]

Apparently its “cruel to let them lead a pointless life of a vegetable”  Those are the words of some woman who appeared on some sort of TV programme momentarily (or so I am told) and who now is seeking attention by being vile… Another Katie Hopkins in the making I guess.  The sad thing is, […]

Ava goes in to Year 2, Seren (who has Down’s syndrome) goes in to Reception Class in the same school as Ava… Violet (aged 2) is still at pre-school. When summer term finished and the school holidays began, I got a little emotional. What a different set of emotions than from when Ava finished her […]

I am coming in rather late on this one.  I was sitting in a casino in Las Vegas when my mobile phone started pinging furiously with messages, tags, texts and the like, alerting me to what you had said on twitter. My cheeks flushed, my blood boiled and yet the rant that I wanted to […]

That is according to my daughter Ava (aged 6). My middle daughter Seren (aged 4) has Down’s syndrome.  My youngest daughter Violet (aged 2) is typically chromosomed like Ava. Ava knows Seren has Down’s syndrome.  we talk about it in our house, openly and honestly.  From the outset (from the day Seren was born) we […]

I have referred to how Seren (who has Down’s syndrome) has “changed me” in several of my previous blogs.  I have never put my finger on how… and now, just over 4 years down the line it is becoming clearer to me.   RETARD That used to be a word I used a lot.  I […]

The vast majority of babies with Down’s syndrome are born to women under the age of 35.  The average age of women giving birth to a baby with Down’s syndrome is 28 in the UK.  Meet Beth, who fell pregnant at 17 and is now proud mum to Erin Mae. ————————- Hi all, I’m here […]

I hear all sorts of stories from the Down’s syndrome community that bother me in one way or another.  The medical professionals are usually the ones which get me the most annoyed – somehow I think they ought to know better. When anyone plans for a family, or finds themselves pregnant unexpectedly, we all want […]

Seven years today… that’s how long I have been married. Every year since my wedding day I have celebrated this day.  No more.  One year ago today I last saw my mum alive.  I spoke to her and brought her water… I adjusted her covers on her bed, closed the window because she was chilled, […]