tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7576310937763715660.post6388364299015672362..comments2023-09-05T05:16:26.203-04:00Comments on Living in the Light: Ds Diagnosis--What to Say to OthersLisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17347490959410472081noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7576310937763715660.post-28989622316523928462009-04-22T08:21:00.000-04:002009-04-22T08:21:00.000-04:00As always, a very helpful post. These are all exc...As always, a very helpful post. These are all excellent suggestions. Thank you.Sharonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17574042485403799310noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7576310937763715660.post-85192528666658807622009-04-22T13:58:00.000-04:002009-04-22T13:58:00.000-04:00Excellent post! I use many of your comments, but ...Excellent post! I use many of your comments, but you've given me a couple gems as well. I totally agree with always trying to be positive (even if we're having a bad day :-)) because it could be the one chance that person has of washing away some of their misconceptions about Ds. I also agree with telling people as much or little as you wish once you read the situation. I just chatted w/ a grandma this morning at the car wash and she was complaining that her granddaughter was fat and couldn't walk at 12 mos. I knew she was curious about my chunky monkey, but rather than talk about Ds, I offered her some other positive comments. I didn't feel compelled to go into his Dx. I don't feel bad, either... no matter what I said didn't take away her negativity at the moment. Sorry for the ramble... thanks for the post!Monica Crumleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11292679754594755040noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7576310937763715660.post-18650540013019148042009-04-22T16:25:00.000-04:002009-04-22T16:25:00.000-04:00Great post - I particularly liked:"Some of ou...Great post - I particularly liked:<br><br>"Some of our best advocacy work is just being out there, providing one example of a loving family living a happy and full life which includes Down syndrome." <br><br>I also wondered what to say - and wondered why I often said, "this is Aidan - he has Down syndrome..." my sister thought it was strange and asked, "can't they tell by looking at him?" I guess they can - but still I seemed compelled. I think it's because it opens the conversation up.<br>I often have people in the grocery store come up to us and interact with Aidan. I've met a lot of people who come up to us just because Aidan has Ds - they seem to want to tell us about who they know who has Ds also (grandchildren, nieces, neighbours) - it seems like we've joined a unique and uplifting club.<br><br>One of my best conversations was with a grandma who asked, "is raising a child with Down syndrome any different than your other children?" I appreciated her honest question.<br><br>Sorry for the long post - lots to say!Carol N.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02223840533561032208noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7576310937763715660.post-5260051847284551802009-04-22T19:33:00.000-04:002009-04-22T19:33:00.000-04:00Lisa is it wrong that I usually give them a dirty ...Lisa is it wrong that I usually give them a dirty look and then try and trip them?Larkinsmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03776957229785320327noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7576310937763715660.post-69050134614475309862009-04-22T20:29:08.300-04:002009-04-22T20:29:08.300-04:00Amy, Amy, Amy...I guess it depends on the situatio...Amy, Amy, Amy...I guess it depends on the situation ;).Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17347490959410472081noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7576310937763715660.post-35581529905388619262009-04-23T09:18:00.000-04:002009-04-23T09:18:00.000-04:00Thank you for your comment on my blog and for this...Thank you for your comment on my blog and for this post. It is very helpful and I appreciate that. : )Lauriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00128989346808056402noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7576310937763715660.post-66517198903869523202009-04-25T20:57:00.000-04:002009-04-25T20:57:00.000-04:00I don't say that my child has DS unless there ...I don't say that my child has DS unless there is some particular reason or a natural opening. We didn't even tell our parents until the genetic test came. I am not ashamed of it, just feel like it isn't relevant unless it is if you know what I mean.I encourage people to talk about it, try to stay open if I feel like someone is just uneducated not malicious. I love talking about it and have many wonderful friends who just experience my child as a special light- who am I to try to change their mind- isn't she? To me she is and anyone else who thinks so I count as a plus in the world! That's not to say I don't suffer or feel sad about things that are hard for her but doesn't every parent? Love this post and you have given alot of great ideas! As usual.starrlifehttp://starrlife.wordpress.com/noreply@blogger.com