I’m a big fan of Helen Fielding’s ‘Bridget Jones’s Diary’. When I first read it, some of it felt EXACTLY like my own diary – especially the daily stats on weight; food and alcohol consumption and generalised bitching about this squeeze or that. Well, OK Fielding’s diary was FUNNY!
Category: The Up-side of Down’s
Personal experiences and reflections (so far) on raising my son, a gorgeous and handsome boy who has Down’s Syndrome (trisomy 21).
This is what inclusion looks like.
I hear a lot about ‘inclusion’. It’s all part of equality and diversity. I’ve been listening to this for about 30 years (so far). But what does inclusion look like?
Shhh….it’s the Down’s Syndrome social media report
Undercover in the secret groups saving Down’s Syndrome with our Shmedia Correspondent Sarah Hoss
(an abbreviated version of this blog is published in the official Down Syndrome Association Journal Feb 2015.)
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Shhhh it’s all on social media
A sneak peek into the secret world of social media
And how it’s saving Down’s syndrome
By Sarah Hoss
Social Media (Facebook, Twitter, blogging, Pinterest, LinkedIn etc.) – or ‘Shmedia’ as I like to call it – is saving Down’s syndrome.
That’s a very bold statement. Stay with me, and I will show you how. But first, a little personal history:I was holed up in a leaky caravan in remote west Wales when I first began searching online for information and inspiration about Down’s syndrome. I was involved in a restoration project at the time. As a family we had a temporary caravan base for work and living space. Outside I was growing my own vegetables and keeping livestock. Sounds idyllic? I found it very tough.
Living with DS. My life’s nice! How’s yours then?
I wrote this a while back but I stand by it all. Tomorrow is World Down’s Syndrome Day – so I’m reblogging to raise awareness. Peace and love 🙂
We do occasionally get invited – and we do dress appropriately 🙂
It can be a tough road, with many potholes along the way. A great deal of information about what a disaster Down’s Syndrome can be is available already online. I don’t intent adding to it! Instead, I prefer to accept that for many, their mindset is such that they will never manage to get over their own discomfort and that becomes a barrier for them in seeing beyond the disability to the person and the valuable life that they are leading.
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Is Down’s Syndrome Cool?
‘Get me an agent’
I have the occasional word about my experiences around Down’s Syndrome on this blog, and tend to keep this aspect of my life separated from my professional life as a journalist and PR. But this week my worlds collided, leaving me wondering if this post belongs on my personal or professional blog. Perhaps I will post on both?
In the week that I attended three interesting conferences – one about Autism and two about social media my social networks were buzzing about a little boy with Down’s Syndrome chosen to model for mainstream British retailer Marks & Spencer.
Suddenly Down’s Syndrome is cool! That is a sentence I never thought I would ever have the need to write. Amazing things do indeed happen.
Had Enough of Holland?
Welcome to Holland – NOT!
You pack your bags and off you go. Several hours later, the plane lands. The stewardess comes in and says, “Welcome To Holland”.
“Holland?!?” you say, “What do you mean “Holland”??? I signed up for Italy! I’m supposed to be in Italy. All my life I’ve dreamed of going to Italy.”
Living with DS. My life’s nice! How’s yours then?
It can be a tough road, with many potholes along the way. A great deal of information about what a disaster Down’s Syndrome can be is available already online. I don’t intent adding to it! Instead, I prefer to accept that for many, their mindset is such that they will never manage to get over their own discomfort and that becomes a barrier for them in seeing beyond the disability to the person and the valuable life that they are leading.
Continue reading “Living with DS. My life’s nice! How’s yours then?”
Being Sensitive with Down’s Syndrome ..the to do list
The Good Things (you could do) to Help if your friends or family with a young child with Down’s Syndrome. This list is a starting point, gleaned from my own experiences and talking to other parents with children who have D.S:
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Being sensitive with Down’s Syndrome…the avoid list
Otherwise known as the Down’s Syndrome To Don’t list
Having spoken to many mums about their personal stories – here’s a round up of some clangers and what to avoid based upon my research:
(Everyone’s story and circumstances are different, of course).
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