Parker Myles

You spend the first few years of being a special needs parent just keeping your head above water and finding your feet. You deal with the discovery not all special needs parents have as much in common with you as you originally thought. You make the leap from the original large fishbowl you found, of […]

It can be a scary place, the first moments after your child with Down syndrome enters the world.  There are no guarantees in life. Having a great love, following a true passion, having a child.. it’s all a gamble. You won’t always take the most worn and travelled path as you create your own life story.. […]

 So, you hear the news that someone in your family, a close friend or an acquaintance has given birth to their baby. Great news!     But within seconds you are told that the baby has Down Syndrome.   “Oh…. “ [There follows a mixture of disbelief, shock, stunned silence, anger, hurt, disappointment, perhaps a […]

  The way in which a delivery suite diagnosis of Down syndrome is communicated is often done in a dissatisfactory manner. The firm diagnosis of Down’s syndrome on phenotypic grounds is usually possible immediately after delivery.  It is essential to inform the parents, at least of your suspicions, as soon as possible after delivery.   […]

This is a compilation of the top 8 most Googled questions about Down syndrome. I’ve added accurate, up to date resources to each, and answered the questions. Please don’t mistake me for a paediatrician or a genetics expert. You’re not going to get overly formal answers to the Google searches in the blog below. I’m not […]

You know you’re a special needs parent when… You pack exact required change for 2 chocolates from the hospital vending machine while waiting for an ambulance. You own more snot-suctioning devices than is either reasonable, or anticipated. Your invitations to BBQs and get-togethers dry up. You have a hospital bag, toy bag and food bag […]

Kayella Aschoff is a beautiful 4 year old from Minnesota. She has Down syndrome and began her life in an orphanage in Colombia, before coming home as the first child of the Aschoff family when she was 9 months old. She has a brother Leo, who also has Down syndrome and was adopted. “We wanted […]