So You Want To Learn More About Down Syndrome?

Then you've come to the right place!

First, let me tell you that Down Syndrome is something someone is born with. You can't get it from being around someone who has it! A person who has Down Syndrome has had it since they were born....actually, they've had it since before they were born, while they were still inside of their moms! Nobody knows what causes it, it's just one of those things that can sometimes happen.

Now let me try to explain a little about Down Syndrome. We look a little bit different than kids who don't have Down's. Our eyes kind of slant upwards, our noses are a little flat, and are ears are a little bit lower! There's a few oter things that look different, but they're not that noticable.

The biggest difference about kids with Down's is that it takes us longer to learn things than kids who don't have it. For some of us, it's just a little bit longer, while for others it's a lot longer. Take me for example-I walked when I was 2 years old while most kids walk at 1 year old. I am just now learning to write at age 7 while most kids start writing about 3 or 4 years old. I can't talk yet, except for a few words, but I am learning sign language. This doesn't mean that I don't know what other people are saying, because I do, I just can't SAY words yet.

Now that we've talked about the differences between kids with Down Syndrome and those without, let talk about how we are the same! I like to run and play, watch T.V., color, ride my bike, be with other kids, play baseball, laugh, wrestle with my brother, tease my sister, help mom and dad around the house, play with my dogs and cats, go to school, and to get praise from my family and my teachers.

I get sad when I'm teased, I cry when something hurts, I get afraid when it's dark and stormy, I laugh at funny cartoons, and I love my family!

So when it comes down to it, kids with Down Syndrome are more like you than different from you! We make great friends, so you shouldn't be afraid to play with us!

If you have other questions about Down Syndrome, feel free to e-mail me and my mom and I will try to answer your questions. Don't be afraid to ask!

You can also visit these websites-

Dare to Be Different-this is an online book written by a young girl who has a brother with Down Syndrome.

Branch County Down Syndrome Online-OK, this actually has more info about me AND Down Syndrome, but it's also going to have some info on my friends.