| Down Syndrome Chances are that someone who has Down syndrome has touched your life. Down syndrome, although not common, is among the most common congenital anomalies—47.9 per 100,000 births (compared with 77.7 with cleft lips or palates). As our sponsor family put it, "If you had to pick a disability to bear, you would choose Down syndrome." Initially I didn't want to think about all of the choices we could have suffered. Now that Jonathon is 5 years old, I can understand that statement. Over the course of Jonathon's lifetime, I have been continually surprised and encouraged by his happy and sociable nature. Jonathon has an innate ability to touch everyone he meets. His smile is contagious. There is a comfort and a warmth that surrounds Jonathon that is special just to him. All of our 7 children possess their own special attributes. Teresa is as patient as can be and will make a tremendous teacher. She is now in her second year of college. Amanda is full of joy and funny. No one can make me laugh like Ami. Jacob is our in-house electronics expert. If not for him, I probably wouldn't be writing this web page. Mickey is highly intelligent, helpful, and becoming quite the good cook. Benjamin is adorable and creative. He amazes me everyday with his intelligent and insightful observations. Savannah Grace is full of love, peace, and smiles. And then there is Jonathon. The ultimate question is this: is he a just another happy Mangold or a really happy boy with Down syndrome? His genetic defect doesn't mask all of his other character traits. Ami told me once that "Jonathon certainly is your son." Jonathon takes happiness to a new level. His world is filled with possibilities and joy. He knows a contentment that most folks spend their whole lives trying to find. Very rarely someone will greet Jonathon not with a smile but with concern and pity. He doesn't need pity and neither do we. It has been an interesting journey: not always easy but then again, raising children never is. And that's what Jonathon is: just another special Mangold kid. |
| There are many exciting websites about Down syndrome. Here are a couple of our favorites. There are local organizations in every state all the way up to international organizations. Check these out to learn more about what it means to have Down syndrome in the world today. National Down Syndrome Congress www.ndsccenter.org National Association for Down Syndrome www.nads.org Down Syndrome Association of Wisconsin www.dsaw.org National Association for Child Development www.nacd.org It can be very scary to receive the diagnosis of Down syndrome. Whether you are holding a newborn with Down syndrome or you've been on the Down syndrome scene for awhile, there are concerned, helpful people at these organizations just waiting to answer your questions, give support, and help bring understanding to the world about life with Down syndrome. |
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