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On this page I will discus my first thoughts when I found out Jeffery had Down Syndrome, as when I was first told I had no clue what to expect and automatically feared the worst. First things first, don't be scared, your child having special needs does not mean that he/she will not be able to accomplish any/all of life's simple tasks and goals. It's really not as bad as the stereo types make it out to be. First I think I should explain exactly what Down Syndrome is, as most people, even those who think they know have virtually no clue what it is, the ups the downs, and first and foremost that these children born into this world are special not abnormal.

 

Children with Down Syndrome used to be referred to as "Mongoloids" because of their slanted eyes that were similar to those of people from Mongolia. It was in 1866, a physician named John Langdon Down first described a set of children with common features who were distinct from other children with mental limitations. Then in the 1960's and 70's genetic researchers found his theory to make since and changed the name from Mongoloids to "Down Syndrome."
Thing is it wasn't until 1959 did researchers first determined the cause of Down Syndrome to be the triplication of the 21st chromosome (Being the scientific name Trisomy 21). Trisomy 21 or "nondisjuntion", make up 95% of all Down Syndrome cases. With in the next three years, the other two types: mosaicism and translocation were found.
Human cells normally have 46 chromosomes arranged in 23 pairs. In majority of cases both parents contribute half of the 46 chromosomes. In the case of Down Syndrome, somehow, when the parents chromosomes split in half, the 21st set from either the egg or the sperm does not split. So, when the egg and sperm join, there are a total of 47 chromosomes, rather than 46. That's where the name Trisomy 21 (for the 21st pair) comes from.
Below is a picture of Jeffery's chromosomes, note that instead of there being 2 sets of each, he has 3 of the number 21 chromosome.
 

Three to four percent of all cases of Trisomy 21 is due to translocation. This type is where there is a rearrangement of genetic material between the 14th and 21st chromosomes. Translocation may be inherited.
Mosaicism have a mixture of normal cells and Trisomy 21. In some cases, their effects from Down Syndrome may be less severe.
Children with Down Syndrome are usually smaller than those their age without the genetic disorder. They also have decreased muscle tone at birth, sutures-separated, asymmetrical or odd shaped skull, slanting eyes, small mouth with protruding tongue, broad short hands, single crease in the palm (simian crease), a large gap in between the first and second toe, most are born with little to no hair, retarded growth development, and have a mental retardation meaning their physical and mental development is usually slower. Many children with Down Syndrome have mild to moderate mental retardation. Although, some children are not mentally retarded in the least. Due to low muscle tone children with Down Syndrome usually have slow motor development. While with all this in mind you must realize it was difficult for them to diagnose Jeffery, remember this child did not meat most of the physical characteristics associated with Downs, and those that he did meet seemed to silly to be possible. Though due to these mental limits these children have when others are walking at around 12 months, Down Syndrome children usually don't do so until around 15 to 36 months. Low muscle tone and hearing problems can also cause a delay in language development.
There are several health concerns attributed to Down Syndrome. Sixty to Eighty percent of children with DS have hearing difficulties. Forty to forty-five percent of the children have congenital heart disease. Many have to undergo surgery. Intestinal abnormalities is common. Eye problems are at a higher incidence in children with Down Syndrome. Nutrition can be a problem as well. In the infant with a heart defect, failure to thrive can be a problem. In adolescence and adulthood obesity often occurs. There are often thyroid dysfunctions. Skeletal problems often plague individuals with Down Syndrome. Loose ligaments and hip dislocation happen frequently. There can also be health problems such as leukemia, Alzheimer disease, seizure disorders, sleep apnea and skin disorders. We are very fortunate in that Jeffery was born with only a few mild complications.
Doctors today have told us that this is a wonderful age for a child to be born with Down Syndrome. They know so much more than they did even 15 years ago. With a loving home and early intervention services. I was told that had Jeffery been born 15 years ago, they would have told me to drop him off at the nearest foster home on the way home, never before did they realize all these children can achieve. As I'm writing this now, Jeffery is currently 2 ½ yrs old, and has already given so much love to my family, and to me, its hard to believe I ever once doubted what my son was capable of.  I have seen this little boy in the last year progress in this school 3 times as fast as they said he would. When Jeffery was 8 months old they tracked him at a 4 month development level, in the 2 ½ months that he'd been attending school,  I saw him advance at least another 2 months worth of stuff he had yet to learn. When he started he was barely rolling over on his own, now not only is he rolling over but he's sitting up, and he's crawling rrr um kind of  lol, and he's now walking (I decided it was time to stop counting steps when he got to 55  hehehe)  :)  I hope that everyone can love and appreciate all these wonderful children have to offer us.

March 28th 2004

Thought it might be time for an update since so much has happened since my last one.   Jeffery is currently 3 1/2 yrs old.  Recently he became a Big Brother :)  I now have a beautiful little Girl, Harmony Lyn.  Jeffery started attending a regular elementary school shortly after his 3rd birthday.  He is in pre-k in the special needs classes.  He has adjusted nicely to the new school surroundings, and is fitting in wonderfully.  He quickly made friends, and has once again become the *eye candy*  of the teachers and school employees, as well as many of the parents of other children at the school.  He has a regular schedule every day that he keeps up with very well.  He knows what chair is his at the lunch table, and knows what hallway to turn down to get from his class to his therapies.  He's also adjusted wonderfully to having to share Mommy and Daddy's attention with his sister whom he LOVES.  Every day when he gets home from school he comes into the living room looking and calling for her.  He calls her * sis sis *  I think she likes him too  lol . .every time she cries he comes running and she stops when she sees him.  it's quite darling :)