The Life Of The Party

Excerpts of Stories by or About Persons with Down Syndrome

Congratulations on the birth of your baby! I hope that what I write to you will help in some small way.

This is my son Mark and he is my second child. I was 34 when he was born and his birth was quite a shock to say the least. All I could think about was the future - what is he going to be able to do? Is he always going to be living with us? I have learned to take one day at a time.

He has brought a lot of joy to our lives and his smile lights up the room. He is five and a half now and has been totally accepted in our family and community. He takes swimming lessons, goes to pre-school and is always the life of the party. Not everyday is a picnic, but that is the way it is with all children. I have learned to accept him for who he is and I really don't know what I would do without him.

When we left the hospital, one of the doctors said, "Enjoy your baby." And you know what, I really have.