New parent of baby with Downs in need of practical and emotional support

[firsttimemother]

Dear Mumsnetters
My friend has just had her first baby, a gorgeous little boy with Down's syndrome. I wonder if you know anyone she could have a chat to for some practical and emotional advice? She lives in Newcastle, so in an ideal world it would be someone who lives reasonably locally. I think she'd love general info about what to expect as the parent of a child with Down's, and local info such as how to find health services, support groups and so on in her area. It would be really kind if you know someone who can help, as she's new to Newcastle and hasn't received much support or advice so far.

If she comes on here I'm sure she would get lots of support. We have some really lovely posters with children with downs syndrome and other special needs and others with less direct experience try to help where they can too. If she's looking for local groups/support networks she might do worse than ask her health visitor or phone the downs syndrome association or contact a family. There are bound to be support groups in a big city like Newcastle.

www.downssyndromenortheast.org.uk/

That should be a link to the North East England support group for Down's syndrome. There's a button in the middle to click for contact details for new parents.

Definitely get her to visit here, if she can. Lovely people aplenty who can share the joys/'arrghhh' moments and offer their own experiences?

I live in Newcastle, and I can remember there being a DS group at the same place I took my ds2 for his ASD group. Not sure how she would go about getting joined up to it though as the group I went to was invitation only (we got invited after my son was dx). It was in Blakelaw, can't remember what the place was called, but it used to be an old school (opposite the playing fields).

I would imagine that your friend would get a lot of information from the childrens developement centre at the RVI.

Hope she manages to get some help and support.

Hi, I would be happy to meet your friend. I am close to Newcastle and have a son with downs.

Thanks so much to everyone for their suggestions, I'll pass them all on to her. Devientenigma, that's a very kind offer, thank you - if she'd like to get in touch, how should I best arrange it do you think? Is it possible to email you privately? Sorry, it's just I'm not very experienced with Mumsnet!

Hi FTM, yeh just pm me. Anytime for anything. If she just wants advice etc. email [email protected]