The father of Sader Issa, who is is training in dentistry, has Down Syndrome. He raised Sader. — Some years ago, when studying special needs education, we learned about a special couple here in Canberra. Each was born with Down Syndrome, and though they were loved by their respective parents, that they would personally fall in love, and marry was out of the question. But Sarah and Jack…

is to convince the world how fabulously perfect and capable she is. Now stand back and watch the magic unfold. — How wonderful to be told your baby is perfect in every way! It’s all any parent wants to hear. But it doesn’t always happen. Because each of us has our own idea of perfection. And society has yet another one. And the medical fraternity? Maybe too many to list. I…

When suddenly humanity prevails and the world gasps as they bear witness to something much more precious — ‘At the end of your life, you will never regret not having passed one more test, not winning one more verdict or not closing one more deal. You will regret time not spent with a husband, a friend, a child, or a parent.’ Now will you ever regret stopping to…

What an amazing five years this has been for you. You have made the world your oyster. Down Syndrome be damned… — Today is Daisy’s fifth birthday. I met her on Facebook when she was a tiny baby (I know! Daisy is my FB drawcard, probably the only one!). Actually that is not quite true. Daisy and her wonderful Mamma are the reasons I check in. As Daisy’s finest advocate, her mother…

Show the rest of your students how to value and respect difference, then stand aside and watch the magic unfold. — “I know of nobody who is purely autistic, or purely neurotypical. Even God has some autistic moments, which is why the planets spin.” Right now I am reflecting on the many ‘different’ students I taught over the years, and I feel a sense of failure that their needs were never…

But the bubble soon bursts. Your child is a joy, but dumb. Time to react before he believes the label — It is during our darkest moments that we must focus to see the light. I haven’t forgotten those first few days when our daughter first started school. Nor have I ever forgiven myself for making it so hard for her. We made the decision to send her to a French-Australian…

And other memorable stories… — Welcome to Writers On Medium… Below I have highlighted a few very recent Medium stories that have touched me in different ways, a near-miss fire, a dad’s proud account of his daughter’s graduation, a mouth-watering eating tour around Italy, a cautionary piece of advice about displaying your child’s work, and…

If not, welcome to a life of veritable hell, unless you find another way… — Today I want to introduce to you, one of the most well-known and admired women in Australia. She has carved out an amazing life for herself. “Wendy Harmer has done it all — TV, radio, print, stand-up comedy, breakfast radio — and she’s experienced success at whatever she’s turned her…

It’s not rocket science. It’s heart science. — Here’s a question for you. If you could eradicate Down Syndrome, would you? I’ll leave that question for you to ponder. How many Down Syndrome people do you know? How many Down Syndrome people do you know that are making a difference in the world? In this story I wrote…

Who on earth still holds dear to this myth? It’s time to set the records straight, ONCE and FOR ALL — A negative society will affect the quality of life for people with Down Syndrome, more than a diagnosis will. ‘Last week, CBS News shocked the world with its report claiming that Iceland was on the verge of “eradicating” Down syndrome. Upon a closer look, it is clear that Iceland is…

They have Down Syndrome? Yes, but that’s their super power. See the world through their eyes and applaud their talent — Before I relate this lovely story about yet another Down Syndrome initiative I want to take you back to my childhood to paint a picture of how things were for people with disability. For the most part these children were hidden away, and not readily taken out, almost as if…

Daisy is a perfect human being. She just happens to have Down Syndrome — Imagine it’s you. You’ve been so looking forward to the birth of your first baby. You’ve had many appointments along the way, and all seems well. But then you get the call. Your baby has Down Syndrome. And your world just gets a little less sunny. Tears flow, and you…

So tell them the truth and see friendships bloom — Aerodynamically the bumblebee shouldn’t be able to fly. But the bumblebee doesn’t know that so it goes on flying anyway.” — Mary Kay Ash Pin the above quote on your wall, and on those occasions when you doubt yourself, read it. …

You just take it in your stride…or do you? Like any other mother, your life changes trajectory, expands accordingly, and you become a voice — Unfortunately, being a doctor doesn’t necessarily prepare you for giving birth to a Down syndrome child. ‘I did not know how to teach her or how to maximize her development. The doctors who cared for me, and for Ella, did not know how to help us either. …

Learn how one doctor, Dr. John Langdon Down, inspired hope for all Down Syndrome children — I’m a little late to the table with this article, given that it is now 18th October, but better late than never, because I hope, in sharing my DS stories, I will create a higher awareness of DS, and promote an acceptance and inclusion, that will auger well for every…

Look out world. She will show you the way. Prepare to be super- impressed — Daisy started school today. Like almost every other five-year-old she is super-excited. There are no tears. No hanging onto grandma. And no wistful looking over her shoulder as she leaves behind her mother, and walks for the first time, into the classroom, to embrace her first day of formal learning. …

That extra chromosome divide that stunts expectations far too often. We must work together to change this. — Back in time, yet not that long ago, things were bleak for children born with Down Syndrome. …

Having Down syndrome is like being born normal. I am just like you and you are just like me. We are all born in different ways, that is the way I can describe it. I have a normal life. — Imagine you are pregnant. Everything so far has been wonderful. All your medical checkups have indicated a perfectly normal pregnancy. And you can’t wait! But then your obstetrician becomes concerned. There are some abnormalities. She believes your child may have Down Syndrome.

Its also Gayana Day for one plucky girl! She happens to sell flowers here in Canberra, and she loves to give hugs for free. — There was a knock on my door, and when I answered it, there she stood with the largest bouquet of flowers, and with a shy smile, extended the flowers to me. ‘Happy Mothers’ Day,’ she said and wrapped me in her arms, just for good measure. ‘Thank you Gayana. These…

You may be enough and a whole lot more, if… — I’m old enough to remember how people with disabilities were treated. I don’t remember any such people attending school with me, either in primary, or high school. Most were locked away…at least they might as well have been. There was no socializing, their perspective very much as myopic and as…