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GIFTS: Mothers Reflect on How Children with Down Syndrome Enrich Their Lives
June 27th, 2010 at 5:28 am
My son is now 4 months old. I found out he had down syndrome when I was four months pregnant. My mom went right out and bought me the book Gifts. Just the beautful baby on the cover made me realize that this baby was a blessing. After reading Gifts I realized I was not the only one in the world going through this, and that what I was feeling was exactly what everyone else who wrote in that book was feeling. They were all right. He is the best thing that has ever happened to me!!
January 17th, 2009 at 10:04 am
My mother is a very research oriented person, she is a professor William and Mary and I am the exact opposite!! When we found out that my youngest of three daughters has Ds my mother went to work researching all the statistics, therapies, and medical problems associated with DS. I found it all overwhelming, my daughter isnt a statistic, and I refused to know anything but the risks that my own baby was in at the very moment. I found the book a Gifts a God send, after reading it I realized that the obsticles that present themselves now need taken care of but the rest can be addressed as they come, what mattered was that my baby girl was just that… my baby girl. Cadi was Cadi and DS is only a diagnosis. Remeber that a syndrome of any type is only a collection of symptoms, these individual symptoms shared by people all over the world.
October 17th, 2008 at 2:45 pm
Thought you might be interested in Little Joe’s inspiring story
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zSfeiauegV4
June 4th, 2008 at 1:14 pm
My daughter was born on May 6th 2008. We recently found out she has Down Syndrome (Trysomy 21). I was looking for information on DS because I know nothing about it. I also wanted to see pictures of others like her. Coming to this website has helped me in ways I can’t really explain but I thank you.
May 21st, 2008 at 10:58 am
Wow! What a blessing to read this book. Our pastor’s wife gave it to me to read, and I will now be passing it along to many others – including the doctors that suggested termination. How I wish this had been available two years ago, when we received the diagnosis via amniocentesis. It would have laid to rest many of my fears that first year. Kudos to those who contributed and shared their heartfelt thoughts and feelings. I cried, laughed and rejoiced with the authors. This will be a book I read and re-read.
July 19th, 2007 at 6:34 pm
I am so excited I found your book at Barnes and Noble yesterday. I was browsing through the disability section thinking they couldn’t possibly have a DS book I had not read when I came across your book. The cover caught my eye first as we had a similar picture taken of our daughter Isabel who is now 4 1/2. We are members of the Down Syndrome Association of Greater St. Louis and they have used this picture in pamphlets. Then today in the mail I received a Woodbine catalog and the book was in there. ( I use Woodbine a lot as a second grade teacher). My husband, our four kids, and I are getting ready to embark on a long road trip to Disney. I look forward to Gifts being my road companion. I can’t wait to laugh and cry ( I am sure I will, I always do) along with the other women who are a part of that sorority I didn’t pledge, but I am now thrilled to be a part of!!!
July 12th, 2007 at 2:30 am
I am the grandmother of a 12-week-old Down baby. My daughter has been through a very emotional adjustment, but has finally fallen deeply in love with our angelic little guy. I finished your book this evening, reading it as slowly as possible so as to prolong the pleasure, the wonder and the enlightenment. I will give it to my daughter to read tomorrow. I know it is going to help her immeasurably. She will treasure each word, just as I have done. “Gifts” was given to me by the loving mother of a 41-year-old Down son, and I, too, plan to pass it along. What a chain of support and compassion you have started. Thank you so much.
July 7th, 2007 at 5:58 pm
What can I say? What a beautiful book!
4.5 years ago I was blessed to have become the mother to a gorgeous little boy who happened to have Down syndrome. How I wish I could have read this back then. My life has been so enriched through this experience and what a gift indeed to recognize the common threads that link our entire community together. Thank you ladies for sharing yourselves with us!
July 7th, 2007 at 5:21 pm
Awesome book! My review will post July 8 here: Gifts reviewed at The Opinionated Parent
June 26th, 2007 at 2:00 pm
I just finished the book and I loved it! I wish I had it earlier, it is all so overwhelming at first. I just told my OB about it and she said that she was going to order a copy for herself. Thanks for putting this out there to help parents. My daughter is truly a gift to me and everyone who knows her!
May 31st, 2007 at 3:23 pm
I am a grandmother of a 6yr old w.DS, He is the love of my life. I would not trade 10 typicals for him. You have not really known love until you know one of these children. To be chosen to be a part of their life is a gift and a blessing
May 2nd, 2007 at 1:18 am
I have a grandson with Downs syndrome and found the book to be informative, honest and entertaining. It is good reading.
April 24th, 2007 at 6:24 pm
What a wonderful video!!!!!!!!!!!
I am a mother in my mid 40′s returning to school pursueing child development/child care A.A. with a minor in exceptionalities. Children with special needs have alway drawn my attention and I discovered a great love for them. This semester one of my class projects is on Down Syndrome. I will share this site with classmates and professors. THANK YOU keep up the GREAT WORK!!
April 20th, 2007 at 9:47 pm
Thank you for the beautiful video “Gifts”. As the grandmother of two special needs children, it brought tears of joy to my eyes, and I sent it to everyone I know!
March 21st, 2007 at 1:21 pm
Gifts has done a beautiful job of respresenting our children. While there are many DS resources available, I truly believe this is one of the best as it comes from the hearts of those involved with these wonderful children on a day-to-day basis. Rather than focusing on all of the “issues” (health issues, developmental delays) associated with DS, it portrays our children as the beautiful, loving people that they are and all of the wonderful lessons they teach us each and every day.
Thank you for your hard work and dedication to DS advocacy. You have done a wonderful job!
March 19th, 2007 at 4:32 pm
I loved, loved,loved, the book and wish it had been available when my daughter was born six years ago..it is exactly what I was thirsting for back then and still a absolute joy to read six years later.
March 16th, 2007 at 4:04 pm
I am the father of an 18 year old daughter with DS and am physician in chief of Riley Hospital for Children in Indianapolis. GIFTS is one of the most inspiring books I have read. And I am not noted for being a warm, fuzzing, sensitive guy; in fact, just this morning my wife said that I scored quite low on the “sensitivity scale.” I have given copies of GIFTS to about 25 new parents of babies with DS at our IDSF (Indiana Down Syndrome) and DADS (Dads Appreciating Down Syndrome) functions and when babies with DS have been admitted to Riley Hospital. The response from these parents has been one of the most amazing things I have observed. One mother told me that this book is exactly what she needed when she was having such emotional difficulties shortly after the birth of their new baby. I plan to buy a large number of GIFTS and give a copy to any parent with a baby with DS or who is pregnant with a baby with DS. Rich Schreiner, Indianapolis IN
March 15th, 2007 at 8:34 pm
I love your book. I especially enjoyed reading “First Words” by Jennifer Groneberg and how she was presented with a set of complications on the birth of her child and how nobody factored in the love. I can’t wait to get a copy. Thanks for creating such an uplifting book.
March 15th, 2007 at 7:27 pm
Each essay, alone, is beautiful. But when read together, one after another, the effect is remarkable. “Gifts” is a book to cherish.
March 15th, 2007 at 3:50 pm
Let me commend you on a really beautiful publication…I was so excited to receive my copy and read it quickly. There are wonderful essays in there.
March 15th, 2007 at 3:48 pm
I just read “Gifts” and was amazed to find so many of my online friends had contributed! What a beautiful book. As a mother to a 4 year-old boy with Down syndrome, I am so happy to have this collection available to new families. I wish that this book was around when my son was born.
March 15th, 2007 at 3:46 pm
A very dear friend of mine has been blessed with a beautiful baby boy who has been diagnosed with Down syndrome.
I was compelled to reach out and thank you for all the work you do in helping parents like my friend.