We have just returned from our summer holiday. It has been a lovely break for us all, no schedules to follow, days of simple pleasures – swimming, reading, playing cards, chatting, eating and relaxing. Whilst we undoubtedly were able to relax a lot, lot more […]
All posts tagged: termination

More than a feeling….
My heart is broken right now. We’ve known about the #NIPT testing for ages and my life hasn’t changed at all. I still have my own family unit that I wouldn’t change for anything, the world is still turning and it doesn’t actually affect me […]

TESTING FOR DOWN’S – WHY DO I EVEN CARE?
Unless you have been living in a cave with no wifi access for the last few years, you will have heard all about the new prenatal testing for Down’s syndrome. Hailed as a modern medical miracle, the fact it is non-invasive ultimately means less “healthy” […]

The Elephant in the Room…..
*ahem* can we just have a quick chat about that elephant in the room…. Welcome to World Down Syndrome Week, which leads us to #WDSD on Saturday. It is a fantastic opportunity for the world to pull together and spread up to date and accurate […]

Little People see a Person, not a Syndrome
LITTLE PEOPLE SEE A PERSON, NOT A SYNDROME This is Seb and Ella, aged 4. They have known each since birth and they are second cousins. Ella’s mum and I were pregnant at the same time and the children are a couple of months apart. […]

What Are You Staring At?
WHAT ARE YOU STARING AT? Today I had one of those moments that creep up on you from nowhere. You know, when you are going about your usual business but you catch your breath as you realise how grown up your child suddenly looks. A […]

Loving and Giving?
It is an overblown cliche that people with Down’s syndrome are “loving and giving”. If I had a pound for every well meaning person who has said that to me, I’d be living in a bigger house with a bigger kitchen. Maybe even a driveway. […]

Still Learning
STILL LEARNING A couple of days ago I was holding my baby daughter in my arms and something happened that literally took my breath away. I glanced down at her and was struck by how much she looked like her oldest brother. It could have […]

Force of Nature
FORCE OF NATURE It is estimated that at least 80% of foetuses with Down’s syndrome are miscarried or stillborn. This figure could be even higher as most miscarriages are not analysed. I remember our genetic counsellor explaining how a pregnant mother’s body is like a spell […]