"Brand NewMan: Reflections on Fatherhood and Down syndrome".

I found this on the Ds group I belong to and thought it was a good idea so I'm passing it along here.
I thought maybe some of you would know a Dad that would want to share his story with Mr .Mike Burgess for his book.His contact onfo is at the end of this post.

Many of you who have children with Down syndrome may be familiar with the book"Gifts", edited by Mrs. Kathryn Soper. If you are like me, the stories from allof the mothers out there were inspirational, and more than one has brought me totears. Knowing that there are others who have walked down the same path beforeme has been a blessing, especially in the beginning. One day, I sent Mrs. Soperan email asking whether there were plans for a book that focused more on afather's perspective. Her response was relatively simple: "No.....I hope you'llconsider creating the book you'd like to read." After much thought, I've decidedto do just that. I am looking for vignettes from fathers, brothers, uncles,grandfathers and self-advocates for "my" book. The working title is "Brand NewMan: Reflections on Fatherhood and Down syndrome". Write about what moves you,what inspires you, what you wished you'd known. I want this book to bring asense of peace to new fathers who are faced with the unknown, who arequestioning God and his infinite wisdom, and I want to reassure them that Downsyndrome is just one more way we are all the same and we are all different.People are people first, and my hope is that when this is all said and done,more people embrace this philosphy.You are welcome to pass this on to anyone who may be interested. If you have astory to tell, please feel free to contact me. Even if you don't, send me anemail letting me know what's on your mind. I will endeavor to answer every emailpromptly, but remember, I am a father and husband first, so it may take a day ortwo.Thanks.
And I look forward to hearing what you have to say.
Contact Info : Mike Burgess - mike.burgess@alumni.duke.edu or mike_burgess@comcast.net Phone# 864-314-3544

Mother's Day Give Aways

They are having 31 Days of Mother's Day Give Aways over at parenting.com.Today the prize is a gift card to Merry Maids worth $2800.They have lots of other cool prizes everyday for the whole month!

Diagnosed with Down syndrome

A friend of mine has a friend who just had their second child and that child was diagnosed with Down syndrome.My friend would like to know what she can say to her friend to be an encouragement.What would you have liked for people to say to you when your baby was born?

My sister was a teacher's aid

Two years ago my sister started working as a substitute teacher and on one of her assignments was placed in a special ed class, at a high school ,with severely handicapped children.While she was there the first day one of the kids had an accident and had to have his diaper changed.My sister insisted on helping to get him cleaned up and changed.The teacher of the special ed class asked if my sister would be willing to come back and be an aid and so she was an aid in the class for the past two years.My sister loved it there,she loved the children.I'm sad to say she had to stop working as an aid this school year and get a better paying job so she could support herself and her kids.
When I had Ruby I asked my sister if there was anyone in the class with Down syndrome.She said there was one girl with Ds in the class and that she had to be watched very closely because she would try and harm herself and the kids that were in wheelchairs that had limited movement and speech.This scared me when I heard it but then she told me that this girls parents were both attorney's and lived a couple hours away.They had placed their daughter in a group home because they were embarrassed of her.This girl has also been sexually assaulted.When I learned all of this it made me angry and I thought no wonder she acts out and bangs her head on the wall and tries to harm others weaker than herself.It makes me angry at her parents that they wouldn't want to protect her and love her or find a family that would.I can't stop thinking about her.
There is another girl with Ds in this school she lives with loving parents and she has all of her classes with her peers .

My soccer post

After thinking about my previous post I started thinking about some good things that might come from soccer practice and games.I took Ruby to my 14 yr old daughters practice yesterday and she seemed really interested in all those girls running around.Ruby is a people person even her PT noticed this about her,she would rather play with people than toys,maybe she will enjoy all the people at the games and maybe all the noise will be good for her.I know I said I was worried about what people might say but we have met a lot of very nice people in soccer who will probably say some pretty nice things and in fact some already have.I can protect her from the weather and maybe leave her with her granny on days it's too hot out.So,I'm going to stop my grumbling and look for the good things!

Soccer

I'm just not looking forward to soccer,it's so much work getting everybody to practices and games.My husband coaches and he gets so into it and it takes up a lot of his time.I always feel second to soccer during the season:) Plus now I have Ruby to worry about,I worry about the germs she will be exposed to,the weather and will she be able to handle it,people's reaction to her and what stupidity might come out of their mouth,when will I be able to pump milk when I'm running around all day Saturdays trying to get kids dressed and to their games,what a pain it will be on days I have to go to therapies and soccer practices.
Man,I guess I'm just a complainer today.