NDSC Convention

Hi folks!

Well, I just got back from Atlanta yesterday. I went down on Thursday night and came home yesterday afternoon. I was attending the National Down Syndrome Congress Convention. This is the time that families, self-advocates, and professionals gather together to share experiences and research regarding Down syndrome. It is an amazing time! There is so much love for our children and there is so much desire to make sure that our children are given the same opportunities as "typical" children. I am amazed each time how much the diagnosis of Down syndrome does not get any of these kids down (no pun intended)! If anything, it gives them a stronger desire to prove everyone wrong. Things may take longer to complete, but you know what? They complete it!

So, even though we have hit some major bumps in the road with Ethan's development, he WILL get there because he is determined and strong-willed! Now, I still have a hard time with the fact that one day Ethan will probably want to move away from home. I was able to meet Sujeet and Carrie Bergeron-Desai; a beautiful young couple who were just married two weeks ago. Oh, and they both have Down syndrome. They live in their own apartment in Rome, NY. It's still too soon for me to imagine Ethan getting married, but when you see the love that "Suj" and Carrie have for each other, I know that it is definitely a dream that I am going to have for Ethan.



There is so much, but I am going to leave the technical stuff to me and leave you with a few pictures. The young man is Steven Sauter from upstate NY. I met him and his parents at the last conference and was lucky enough to see them again. Steven is such a romantic and has the sweetest soul. It is always a joy to see him! I am sure him telling me that I am beautiful didn't hurt either! :-) To see other pictures, you can go to our Shutterfly picture album (if you don't know what that is, then you are going to have to ask).