The Oxford Dictionary defines the word ‘retard’ formally as a “delay or holdback in terms of progress or development.” Informally and very offensively it says it refers to “a person who has a mental disability (often used as a general term of abuse.)”
Continue reading ‘Retard:’ Spread the word to END the word.
Theo was born with congenital heart defects. He was never diagnosed with any, not even one, at my anomoly scan (20 week scan) and nothing was picked up until he had an echocardiogram (heart scan) postnatally at just 3 days old. Continue reading CHD Awareness Week: Theo’s ‘broken’ heart
What is Down Syndrome? In short it’s an extra chromosome that an individual can possess that teaches you that you’re willing to accept any of your children in any which way, whilst showering them with unconditional love just as you’ve always dreamed. However, it is also really important that society can grasp a more accurate and scientific idea of what DS really is! Continue reading What is Down Syndrome?
There are many things that people who have little to no experience with Down Syndrome say. Some of these things can be heartfelt and other times what they say often reflect old myths surrounding the syndrome. Quite a lot of the time I find myself as a parent who often grits their teeth and often I get an overwhelming urge to claw my eyes out when having to bite my tongue. I have compiled a list of some of the things it’s perhaps best to avoiding saying to someone who is a parent/guardian of a child with Down Syndrome and what to possibly say instead. Continue reading 12 Things to AVOID saying to a parent of a child with Down Syndrome
My son Theo is just over 2 months old. However, I thought I would also backtrack to some moments from when I was pregnant as I feel it helps paint a better picture of his beginning.
