How to Raise a Child with Down Syndrome

Times change. If it used to be a shame to even tell someone that you had a child with Down syndrome, now this is quite normal. And that's a good thing, because we all deserve the right to live, no matter what the sickness. There are many stories about these special people, and they are all very touching.



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Today's edition. "Site" I'm going to tell you a story that really struck us to the core. After that, you begin to believe that true love can work wonders.

This story began 20 years ago, but we heard about it only now. I think we should start with Patty's story. She has lived with her husband for over 30 years in California. Patti has three adult children, the eldest of whom, Lisa, was born with Down syndrome. When Lisa appeared, Patti was 18 years old, and even then she decided that she would raise her daughter independently as much as possible.

She always helped Lisa and supported her. And when, at the age of 16, Lisa announced that she wanted to live separately, her mother did everything possible. Two years later, Lisa had a separate home. Parents did not take into account anything, trying to provide the daughter with suitable conditions.

Lisa grew up in a family with two more children. She even attended the birth of her younger brother. Patty became a role model for her daughter, so Lisa had a dream of a child. She later admitted she wanted a big family and three children. This dream did not come true, but a miracle happened.





When Lisa was 29, she met a man with whom they had an affair. He also had Down syndrome, and like Lisa, he lived on his own. They started dating, and soon Patti got the message that she would become a grandmother. This was a real shock, because it is believed that men with Down syndrome are infertile.

Statistics say that 99% of men with this disease really can not have children. Apparently, Lisa's husband hit that one percent and a miracle happened. At the time, it was more of a shock to everyone. Patty was very worried about her daughter, because she was aware of the risks. She sent Lisa for a consultation with a geneticist, who explained how difficult it would be to get pregnant and how likely the baby would have the same condition.

After that, Lisa became very upset and stopped communicating with her parents, deciding to be independent until the end. Patti recalls that Lisa once said, “I’m proud to have Down syndrome, and if my child has it, I’ll be just as proud of it.”





Pregnancy was quite difficult, Lisa was tormented by constant nausea. At the same time, the girl also worked. Lisa had her own assistant during pregnancy, she attended courses for young mothers, as did the father of the child. Towards the end of the pregnancy, the girl realized that she could not cope on her own, so she asked for help from her parents.

The baby was born 4 weeks early. Lisa refused operations and drugs, making the decision to give birth on their own. She gave birth to a boy. He was weak and did not breathe on his own, and his APGAR score was very low. However, the boy steadfastly clinged to life and gradually recovered. The parents named the baby Nick.





After being discharged from the hospital, Lisa and Nick’s father decided to live together and raise the child on their own. But the subsequent tragic events prevented them from realizing this dream. Nick's father died when the child was 5 years old. That was too much of a blow for Lisa. She suffered greatly and soon had to have heart surgery.

Despite her independence and independence, she could not take care of the baby herself. Then her parents came to the rescue again. Nick stayed with Lisa three days a week, but under Patty or her husband's care. Patty tried to give her daughter all kinds of support, as well as to preserve Lisa's self-esteem as a mother. She considered her daughter in all aspects of raising a boy and often said that Lisa is the best mother in the world.





It was hard for everyone, but they coped. Now Nick is 20 years old, he is a handsome and active young man. He likes to sing, dance, and swim and play football. He even had a girlfriend, Hannah, who was a little younger than him. Patti tries to provide the boy with all the support he needs and help him make the right choice in the future.

Patty never hid and honestly admitted that it was very difficult. Raising her children, she took care of Nick and sacrificed a lot. But she says she doesn’t regret what happened because Nick is a ray of hope for the whole family. He's a real miracle.





The story of Patti and her daughter is very instructive for all parents who are raising children with Down syndrome. Patty was perfectly able to provide her daughter with care and independence at the same time. This story is very valuable, it helps to look at many things differently. Raising such a child is not an easy but grateful work.

Let’s talk about what this disease is and how to raise such a child. Down syndrome. This is a genetic abnormality that is not uncommon. Statistics say that about 1 in 700 babies are born with this abnormality. In such children, the ability to speak and learn is weakened to varying degrees, their motor activity is slowed down. These features are expressed differently in each child.



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Many believe that such children are doomed and unable to become full members of society. But as you can see, that's not the case. Yes, they are slow to adapt to social life, but they are capable of it. Each of these children is individual and has its own talents and characteristics. The main task of parents is to help develop them.

There is no way we can prevent this anomaly from occurring, and no one can be blamed. The news of such an anomaly in a child always causes shock to parents. Anyway, nobody's ready for that. But after the first shock and grief, you need to try to help this child as much as possible. What can parents do for their special children?

The first thing to do is to adjust to new circumstances. Parents who have come this way say that a sense of uncertainty and frightening uncertainty can last for a long time, but it needs to be fought. So the main thing that parents can do to help their child is to accept this arrangement and do everything possible.





Experts say that the development of children with Down syndrome, like all other children, depends on the quality of upbringing and love. It is with love that everything begins and depends on it.

Over the past 30 years, many methods have been developed to educate children with genetic abnormalities. For parents now there are many manuals, books and techniques that greatly facilitate the learning process. Of course, it will not do without the help of professionals: both doctors and psychologists, and teachers. Thanks to joint efforts, the child will have a chance for a good future.

Parents and specialists argue that it is better for children with an abnormality to study in a regular school. This helps to gain the necessary socialization skills, teaches children communication and helps to develop. So parents should think about such a step, if possible, and of course, need a school that is ready to accept a special child.



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Raising a child with Down syndrome is a very difficult matter, it requires complete dedication, time and effort. Parents need extraordinary patience and realistic expectations. Caring for sunny children requires a lot, but you get a lot in return. Such children make us better: more compassionate, kind and caring. You just have to learn to appreciate it and notice it.

We think Lisa's story is very inspiring and moving. But we believe that it is wrong to draw any conclusions from it, let alone judge it. In such stories, everyone finds only what is hidden within him, so we leave all the conclusions to you.

Patty’s story is one of the best examples of how to raise an independent child, and it can be very difficult. Recently we wrote about how to raise an independent child.

What do you think of this story? Do you think people with a genetic abnormality should have children? Tell us in the comments, we are very interested to hear your opinion!