WHY???? Fear. Ridicule. Money. Comfort...........
I think many many times especially with children who are special needs it is the unknown. Well God what if they need 24/7 care? What if I can't handle their issues? What if I don't bond with them? What if they can't bond with me? What if my birth children are angry with us? What if.....what if ......what if.......
Oh trust me I have said these things and many more what if's. I have gone over and over in my head so many what if conversations with God I've lost track. Every time though it comes back to me saying.......Yes, this is what we are called for. This is where our heart is leading us and we are fully trusting that this is where we are suppose to be. Will it be all laughs and joy.....nope......but I can promise you that I truly believe that there will be many more highs then lows.
One way to help is education.
Down Syndrome: Myths and Truths
Myth: Down syndrome is a rare genetic disorder.
Truth: Down syndrome is the most commonly occurring genetic condition. One in every 733 live births is a child with Down syndrome, representing approximately 5,000 births per year in the United States alone. Today, Down syndrome affects more than 350,000 people in the United States.
Myth: Most children with Down syndrome are born to older parents.
Truth: Eighty percent of children born with Down syndrome are born to women younger than 35 years old. However, as a woman ages, her chance of conceiving a child with Down syndrome becomes greater.
Myth: People with Down syndrome are severely retarded.
Truth: Most people with Down syndrome have IQ’s that fall in the mild to moderate range of mental retardation. Children with Down syndrome are definitely educable, and educators and researchers are still discovering the full educational potential of people with Down syndrome.
Myth: Most people with Down syndrome are institutionalized.
Truth: Today people with Down syndrome live at home with their families and are active participants in the educational, vocational, social and recreational activities of the community. They are integrated into the regular education system, and take part in sports, camping, music, art programs, and all the other activities of their communities. In addition, they are socializing with people with and without disabilities, and as adults are obtaining employment and living in group homes and other independent housing arrangements.
Myth: Parents will not find community support in bringing up their child with Down syndrome.
Truth: In almost every community of the United States there are parent support groups and other community organizations directly involved in providing services to families of individuals with Down syndrome.
Myth: Children with Down syndrome must be placed in segregated special education programs.
Truth: Children with Down syndrome have been included in typical academic classrooms in schools across the country. In some instances they are integrated into specific courses, while in other situations students are fully included in the regular classroom for all subjects. The degree of mainstreaming is based on the abilities of the individual; but the trend is for full inclusion in the social and educational life of the community.
Myth: Adults with Down syndrome are unemployable.
Truth: Businesses are seeking young adults with Down syndrome for a variety of positions. They are being employed in small and medium sized offices: by banks, corporations, nursing homes, hotels and restaurants. They work in the music and entertainment industry, in clerical positions, and in the computer industry. People with Down syndrome bring to their jobs enthusiasm, reliability and dedication.
Myth: People with Down syndrome are always happy.
Truth: People with Down syndrome have a wide range of feelings just like everyone else. They respond to positive expressions of friendship, and they are hurt and upset by inconsiderate behavior.
Myth: Adults with Down syndrome are unable to form relationships leading to marriage.
Truth: People with Down syndrome date, socialize and form on-going relationships. Some get married. Women with Down syndrome can and do have children, and there is a 50 percent chance that their child will have Down syndrome. Although rare, men with Down syndrome can father children.
Myth: Down syndrome is untreatable.
Truth: Through early intervention, speech therapy, physical therapy and occupational therapy, it is possible to improve many of the problems associated with Down syndrome. In addition, research on Down syndrome is making great strides in identifying the genes on chromosome 21 that cause Down syndrome. Scientists now feel strongly that it will be possible to improve, correct, or prevent many of the problems associated with Down syndrome in the future.
Myth: Down syndrome is a rare genetic disorder.
Truth: Down syndrome is the most commonly occurring genetic condition. One in every 733 live births is a child with Down syndrome, representing approximately 5,000 births per year in the United States alone. Today, Down syndrome affects more than 350,000 people in the United States.
Myth: Most children with Down syndrome are born to older parents.
Truth: Eighty percent of children born with Down syndrome are born to women younger than 35 years old. However, as a woman ages, her chance of conceiving a child with Down syndrome becomes greater.
Myth: People with Down syndrome are severely retarded.
Truth: Most people with Down syndrome have IQ’s that fall in the mild to moderate range of mental retardation. Children with Down syndrome are definitely educable, and educators and researchers are still discovering the full educational potential of people with Down syndrome.
Myth: Most people with Down syndrome are institutionalized.
Truth: Today people with Down syndrome live at home with their families and are active participants in the educational, vocational, social and recreational activities of the community. They are integrated into the regular education system, and take part in sports, camping, music, art programs, and all the other activities of their communities. In addition, they are socializing with people with and without disabilities, and as adults are obtaining employment and living in group homes and other independent housing arrangements.
Myth: Parents will not find community support in bringing up their child with Down syndrome.
Truth: In almost every community of the United States there are parent support groups and other community organizations directly involved in providing services to families of individuals with Down syndrome.
Myth: Children with Down syndrome must be placed in segregated special education programs.
Truth: Children with Down syndrome have been included in typical academic classrooms in schools across the country. In some instances they are integrated into specific courses, while in other situations students are fully included in the regular classroom for all subjects. The degree of mainstreaming is based on the abilities of the individual; but the trend is for full inclusion in the social and educational life of the community.
Myth: Adults with Down syndrome are unemployable.
Truth: Businesses are seeking young adults with Down syndrome for a variety of positions. They are being employed in small and medium sized offices: by banks, corporations, nursing homes, hotels and restaurants. They work in the music and entertainment industry, in clerical positions, and in the computer industry. People with Down syndrome bring to their jobs enthusiasm, reliability and dedication.
Myth: People with Down syndrome are always happy.
Truth: People with Down syndrome have a wide range of feelings just like everyone else. They respond to positive expressions of friendship, and they are hurt and upset by inconsiderate behavior.
Myth: Adults with Down syndrome are unable to form relationships leading to marriage.
Truth: People with Down syndrome date, socialize and form on-going relationships. Some get married. Women with Down syndrome can and do have children, and there is a 50 percent chance that their child will have Down syndrome. Although rare, men with Down syndrome can father children.
Myth: Down syndrome is untreatable.
Truth: Through early intervention, speech therapy, physical therapy and occupational therapy, it is possible to improve many of the problems associated with Down syndrome. In addition, research on Down syndrome is making great strides in identifying the genes on chromosome 21 that cause Down syndrome. Scientists now feel strongly that it will be possible to improve, correct, or prevent many of the problems associated with Down syndrome in the future.
HIV Facts
But isn’t HIV contagious? HIV is a very fragile virus, and there are very specific ways that it is transmitted. HIV is only transmitted when the virus enters the bloodstream. This only occurs through sexual contact; through the use of contaminated needles or other sharp instruments, or receiving a transfusion of HIV-infected blood products; and from a mother who is HIV-infected to her child during pregnancy, childbirth, labour and delivery, and breastfeeding. HIV transmission does not occur with normal household contact. It is not transmitted through tears, saliva, mucous or other bodily fluids. It is considered a “communicable” disease – meaning you can’t simply “catch” it. In addition, when an infected person is on treatment, the levels of HIV in the blood are brought so low that they are considered undetectable – meaning the possibility of transmission – even through contact with blood, semen, or vaginal fluid – is that much more remote.
Aren’t these children going to die after their families bring them home? Many people don’t realize that the prognosis for children on treatment for their HIV is excellent. They are expected to live long, normal lives. In fact, in the west, HIV is now considered a chronic illness rather than the terminal disease it used to be. Sadly, this isn’t the case for those HIV infected children living in resource-poor settings, where 50% of infected and untreated children are not expected to live past the age of two.
Is it true that you can have HIV and not develop AIDS? Absolutely! There are over 20 medications approved by the FDA for the treatment of HIV, and more are in development. These medications bring the levels of the virus so low in the body that the virus can be considered undetectable in the bloodstream. Patients receiving treatment for HIV can expect to live long, healthy lives without developing AIDS.
What about all of the children who don’t get adopted? We recognize that adoption is only a band-aid answer. It is one small piece in a big puzzle – we seek to partner with organizations providing holistic, sustainable care for HIV+ orphans in-country.
What if I catch HIV from my child? Many people don’t know that HIV is a very fragile virus. As soon as it leaves the body, it begins to die. There are no documented cases of HIV transmission through casual household or school contact. HIV+ children can (and do!) share cups, baths, pools, dishes, bathrooms, etc.! In addition, when children are on treatment for their HIV, the amount of the virus in their bloodstream can be brought so low that it is considered “undetectable” – meaning the amount of the virus in the blood, even through contact with blood, has been brought so low that the possibility of transmission has become even more remote.
What if no insurance company will cover my child? Here’s the great news! It is a legal requirement that all adopted children be added to group insurance plans without pre-existing condition clauses in all 50 states! And many states also require that private insurance plans do the same! In addition, all 50 states have funding programs that will assist with the costs of HIV treatment within specified income guidelines.
All four of these children are available for adoption. Click on their name and it will take you to their page with their info. Please spread the message and info. You never know....you might help find their mommy and daddy. These children need everyone to help. They have no voice and those with down syndrome will end up in an mental institution and those that are HIV+ will end up on the streets when they age out of the system.
I once read somewhere some one stating that there were many times that she wanted to ask God why? Why were there so many children suffering and He was doing nothing about it but she was too scared his answer. This has always been with me. I too would love to ask but I too don't want to hear Him say...
Juli your eyes are open and you have seen the suffering......why are you not helping?
I instead I ask God...... I see the suffering where is it that I should help? Be careful though because you might begin the journey of your life!!!!!
GREAT post, Juli!!! :-) Thanks for sharing!
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