A reader from the Courier Journal asks this question and offers two new resources for women carrying a child with Down syndrome:Down Syndrome Pregnancy.org and the National Down Syndrome Adoption Network
.Read more here;
On October 1,www.downsyndromepregnancy.org launched. This website provides a free downloadable book and an interactive blog for expectant mothers who have received a test result for Down syndrome and decided to continue their pregnancy. It shares information the authors have found helpful from their years of providing support to expectant mothers.
Also on October 1, the National Down Syndrome Adoption Network launched. This is a resource that maintains a list of more than 250 families from across the nation who are waiting to adopt a child with Down syndrome. Too often, this option is not known or offered to an expectant mother.
Spread these links around, so that they become the first sites to come up on Google when you do a Down syndrome search When a woman is facing a prenatal diagnosis, we want the good news to get out there!
Read the entire letter here.
At 6PM EST, the Drew Mariani Show, as part of their Marian Retreat In Mary's Hands, will be playing my story of "The Prayers of a Little Saint" from Mary's Touch Program on Catholic Radio International. Afterwards, Drew and I will discuss the story, and may even take calls. I look forward to telling you how much my daughter Christina with Down syndrome has taught me though her simple trust in Our Lady.
You can listen to the show live by clicking on this link.
I wrote an article on KIDS for the Alhambran newspaper, and here is their post online. The Alhambrans are a Catholic organization which serve the disabled, and several members attended our KIDS gathering before the March for Life.
Today, I join you in celebrating the 20th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The ADA was a landmark bill - one of the most important civil rights achievements in U.S. history - because it gave more than 50 million Americans the opportunity to live the American Dream. One of those Americans is my son, Cole, who happened to be born with Down Syndrome.
When Cole was born 3 years ago, the disability community welcomed me and my family with open arms. With their friendship and support, I've found a new focus and passion for being a Member a Congress: To make sure that Cole – and all disabled Americans – have the best opportunities for education, employment, and independent living.
Today, I spoke on the House floor to recognize the ADA anniversary (click here to watch it). I also spoke at a press conference with some of the leaders of the original ADA law (including Sen. Tom Harkin, Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, former Majority Whip Tony Coehlo, Rep. James Sensenbrenner, and Anthony Imparato, President and CEO of the American Association of People with Disabilities [AAPD]). At the press conference, we reaffirmed our commitment to fulfilling the promise of the ADA – not just expanding opportunities for people with disabilities, but also empowering them to lead independent, successful lives.
In related news, last week I had the privilege of addressing the National Down Syndrome Congress (NDSC) National Convention. You can see my power point presentation – plus some of the highlights of my speech – at my new webpage, Down Syndrome Legislative Updates. Click here to view the page and let me know what you think.
Also, last Wednesday, I had the privilege of receiving the AAPD's "Justice for All Award." In my acceptance speech, I said that, "We've come a long way in 20 years, but we still have a long way to go. Let's use the ADA anniversary as inspiration for creating a 'more perfect union' for people with disabilities and all Americans."
I look forward to continuing to work with the disability community – a community I'm proud to be a part of - on the issues that are important to us. Thank you for your support, leadership, and friendship.
KIDS was formed for the purpose of gathering families who have chldren with Down syndrome and walking together in the annual March for Life in D.C. Our purpose is to raise awareness about the tragically high abortion rate of babies prenatally diagnosed with Down sydnrome. We wish also to proclaim the joys our special children bring to us.
`Welcome to KIDS!
If you would like to join our group, contact Eileen at vteileen@comcast.net or Leticia at marysjoys@yahoo.comand we will put you on our mailing list. We are also on Facebook.
KIDS families get together and walk as a group in the annual March for Life in D.C. in January. We will keep you posted of our plans for the 2014 March for Life at this blog.
