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Relationships

Mumsnet has not checked the qualifications of anyone posting here. If you need help urgently or expert advice, please see our domestic violence webguide and/or relationships webguide. Many Mumsnetters experiencing domestic abuse have found this thread helpful: Listen up, everybody

I need to do something to counteract all the sadness and negativity about Downs.

24 replies

allthequeensmen · 19/03/2012 18:35

There have been a few heartbreaking threads on Mumsnet the last few days regarding children/ people with Downs Syndrome. I just want to take a moment to celebrate the good stuff, so..

I give you Pablo Pineda, award winning actor and the first person with Downs in Europe to obtain a university degree: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pablo_Pineda

A random bunch of cuties!

A honest, down to earth insight from a parent (NHS video)

The more alike than different campaign:

OP posts:
ElusiveCamel · 19/03/2012 19:20

If you haven't already, read this (and then read the rest of the blog) Warning: you may need tissues, lots of them. It had me properly sobbing.

chocoraisin · 19/03/2012 19:29

very inspirational :) thanks for sharing

Spookey80 · 19/03/2012 19:36

Gorgeous- thanks.

DoubleNegativePanda · 19/03/2012 19:44

I give you my sister Ramona, one of the most fabulously unique and wonderful people I have ever known!

As Frodo Baggins, Bearer of the Ring in my wedding

winning a gold medal in Special Olympics

Wearing aviator goggles; she dreams of being Amelia Earhardt

Showing off her new haircut; if she can't be Amelia, she wants to be Jareth the Goblin King

With me and dd a couple of years ago. I love the pure joy in her face

I love my sister with all my heart, and although she has certainly faced challenges, health related and socially, she wouldn't be who she is if she didn't have Down's. She's the happiest, most content, giving and kind person I know. It's a privilege to be her sister.

chocoraisin · 19/03/2012 19:48

oh god camel I have just about cried myself sick reading that - what an amazing, wonderful family! I'm a bit too pregnant and hormonal to cope with the emotion though!

debka · 19/03/2012 19:51

Wonderful thread. Thanks OP.

panda I have tears in my eyes. What a lovely sister you are, and what a beautiful sister you have. :)

DoubleNegativePanda · 19/03/2012 19:52

The mot amazing thing about Ramona is that she doesn't even realize the hard road she's been given to travel; she has a smile on her face and the rest rolls off her back.

That's not to say she can't sometimes be the most irritating sibling...she can, and she delights in pushing my buttons!

DoubleNegativePanda · 19/03/2012 19:52

Debka you made me tear up. Thank you.

Four4me · 19/03/2012 20:12

Thank you all. Finding things harder than normal at the moment and this thread is just what I need. Thank you.

HamblesHandbag · 19/03/2012 20:13

OMG, I'm in bits at Nella's story.

Just wow.

debka · 19/03/2012 20:16

I was hoping you might find this 44me. Sorry things are tough atm :(

Four4me · 19/03/2012 20:49

Oh I'm fine thanks debka just spending too much time reading the 'wrong' things on here!

SamsGoldilocks · 19/03/2012 21:11

Panda - you must be so proud of your sister, she looks like she keeps your family on their toes

What a bravely honest story from Nella's mum, and what beautiful photos.

allthequeensmen · 19/03/2012 21:24

Oh Panda I remember your hobbit ring bearer anecdote, think I got a little bit of grit in my eye when I first read about it ;)

I'm glad this thread is appreciated, and note its in relationships, not SN. This isn't about special needs its simply about people we love, who enrich our lives.

My brother has downs, he's very severe in terms of his LD, he's certainly no Pablo but 'emotionally intelligent' doesn't even begin to cover it, he is so in tune with people around him, a quality I really envy. He's athletic and sporty, he loves doing weights and is totally ripped! He can't sing for toffee but he doesn't let that stop him. He's an outrageous flirt but also has this absolute innate respect for women. His humour is so slapstick and pure, him and DP completely have my life when they're together! Yeah, he's just great. Ok i'd better stop now else I'll be here all night...

OP posts:
MedusaIsHavingABadHairDay · 19/03/2012 21:35

I struggle to understand the negativity surrounding Down's Syndrome.. having a disabled child myself and working with children who have disabilities, makes me aware that as special needs go, Down's Syndrome is a disability that doesn't have to stand in the way of a fabulous life.. and hand on heart, the older guys I work with who have Downs are THE most fabulous people.. as individual as any other person, with an added dash of wicked humour, extreme stubborness and massive emotional intelligence.

One of 'my' boys has very severe LDs and autism along with his DS , no speech and yet he can 'read' people to a degree that makes anyone who knows him question just exactly HOW he can be described as learning disabled! Grin

:)

drowninginlaundry · 19/03/2012 22:41

great thread, lovely to read about your siblings panda and allthequeensmen

DoubleNegativePanda · 19/03/2012 22:45

This thread made me miss her more than usual (we live 2000 miles apart) so I called her to chat. It was very sweet. When reading imagine you can hear her pronouncing "sister" as "dister" Wink

Ramona: "hello?"
DNP: "hi Mona!"
Ramona: "Sister!! I'm so happy to call you. I miss you. I wish you would move home forever."
DNP: "I can't, I live in Texas now. I know. You should move to Texas forever!"
Ramona: "no way. Too far."
DNP: "come on..."
Ramona: "no way. I not give you a chance".
DNP: "ok ok. So what are you doing today?"
Ramona: "I'm watching a movie. Bill and Ted."
DNP: "excellent!"
Ramona: "that's right, it's excellent. Not bogus."
DNP: "oh Mona, I love you"
Ramona: "I love you too sweet sister. You're the best sister in the world. You're an angel."
DNP (weepy): "you're an angel sister too"
Ramona: "you look lovely today, sister."
DNP (looks at own stained shirt and clown hair): "Thanks, you look great today too."
.......long pause while Bill or Ted does something interesting.....

DNP: "well Mona ive got to go, but I'll call again after ive made dinner ok?"
Ramona: "ok, sweet sister. I'll tell you about my new cat Bernard then. I love you angel sister"
DNP: "I love you too."

I miss my dister.

PoppadumPreach · 19/03/2012 22:46

Great thread!

LucyManga · 19/03/2012 22:48

Lovely thread.

IAmPoshInnit · 19/03/2012 22:50

queens camel panda and all the posters, thank you so much, I still can't believe how much support and love is on this thread. Not to sound daft, I swear, but I never thought of the DD as having a disability, she was just a kid with her own ways, just like my brother used to have his imaginary friends. I know she has her difficulties, but maybe I shut myself off from them because I was weak and just loved her like she was my little mate like the boys.

I am so sad now. Things have come to a pretty pass. The mum ended up not going to middle sis's house, even though she called and said she was coming. Then she told her husband when he came home she wanted to go their house in the country (in Wales) and he said ok. Then (I am hearing this from older sis) he went down the pub and called the mum and said, 'we're not going to the house. You have to sort yourself out with the little one'.

I have never said much about the dad. He is a lecturer and a researcher and very seriouis. and thought the kids were shocking as babies. But now that they are bigger, he can spend time with them one one one. He takes the boys out for rambles inthe field and the DD to the pub of a Sunday where she can drink (forbidden) coke and chat up the regulars. But he is the same with them all.

He called his wife and told her what she was like and she said, well, 'you can love these children and then they die and where are you then?' So he called her to the pub, and told her of course the DD is fine (she had problems with her breathing or heart when a baby but she is fine now) and not going to die young. What is she on about.

Turns out (God this is werid) that the mum always said her older sister died before she was born and her parents were always sad. But she lied! it was her baby sister who was two when the mum was nine and in boarding school. She died very quick of meningitis and no one told her until summer holidays after they had moved house to the next village and her nanny who she loved had been fired.

So of course the dad told us all this (email). I didnt't read what the sisters said I just called my mate. And she told me she was at the pub and to meet her there. But when I got there, she wanted to walk. And we walked and walked and walked from 6pm. Then we went to another pub and found we had walked three villages over. My bf picked us up, so now I am home and she is in our bed and we are sat on the couch. And I can't sleep, though I have work tomorrow and he said he won't sleep either.

I dont know what to think now. :(

DoubleNegativePanda · 19/03/2012 22:58

Lord have mercy IamPosh that is just horrifying and so sad. I don't even really know what to say. I wish I had something wise or some sound advise but I am truly struck dumb.

I wish only the best for your friend and her dd, and I really hope that grandmother comes to her senses.

My own mom has said she was almost relieved that her own mother was gone when my sister was born, as she never would have accepted her and would have pushed for her to be institutionalized :( I just don't understand that way of thinking.

wigglesrock · 20/03/2012 12:30

just a quick hello, came to this thread off the back of IamPoshs Sad and a big Grin for you dister DoubleNegativePanda

Four4Me a big big hug for the T-man and an extra squeeze for you xx

This thread is what Mumsnet is all about!

worzelswife · 20/03/2012 13:31

I am a long term devotee of Kelle Hampton's blog; I think her dd's are scrumptious.

It seems very clear to me that if you have Downs you can have a fulfiling, worthwhile life and a very happy one too. And have a huge impact on those around you. Panda, your sister looks so utterly gorgeous, loving the aviator goggles and the haircut.

Honestly I would adopt a child with Downs if I could. There is a girl listed on a site at present (or she was on it a couple of months ago) and I could have eaten her up, she was so cute. It breaks my heart to think that people are so scared of having a child with this diagnosis.

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