Down Syndrome Awareness Month

I don’t know about you, but I’ve learned so much this month! And I still have several blogs bookmarked to read yet.

For example Michelle, the champion of the 31 for 21 campaign, talked early in the month about left handedness being a common trait in people with Down syndrome. More common than the general public. Marcus is left handed. I think that’s very interesting. She also talked a little about a special cognitive test for kids with Down syndrome to better help educators and parents both with a more accurate picture of a child’s progress and abilities.

Mark Leach shared great information on his page about the new prenatal tests that were all the hub-bub two years ago – what can they really do and where is it best used now? MaterniT-21 they have the nerve to call it. (puke)

These are just a few of the many words put into the blogosphere this month about Down syndrome.

Who Needs Awareness?

The biggest consensus shared, among the bloggers anyway, is a relative repeat of my rant at the beginning of the month. Awareness? Not really. Acceptance and advocacy, that’s really what we’re talking about here.  That’s the real goal. Everyone has their own take on how to achieve this, what the steps need to be or are in place, as well as what advocacy even means.

In many ways, I’m way out of my league. And though my son is 23 years old, I feel rather late to the party.

We Sikora’s, we’ve really lived in our own little world. We have our own inside jokes, our own quirks, and our own dreams.  We’ve got good friends and we are terrible at utilizing community resources and getting out of the house. I really need to get on that.

And I will.

Our To-Do List

This month I went to a community “fair” that had a line-up of local resources for Marcus to use. So I will be filing paperwork with the Department of Health and Human Services, something his school told me to do about 5 years ago.  (I never was good at homework.) Marcus and I will be checking out a local “club” for him to hang out with other adults in a safe and fun environment. We will be looking at more classes at the Ollie Webb Center for the winter course, he really enjoyed his time there and they teach life-skills that interest him.

I also intend to share with you information about setting up a will and special needs trust, more research and new details about Alzheimer’s detection and prevention, and I’ll continue the information on habits that help Marcus to be a healthy adult with Down syndrome.

But right now I have to go prepare for a Halloween Party.

Truly, Thank you to all who have come by this month. I hope you find value here and know that  I very much value your support.