A Mother's Diary: Part 1 Mark was born

The following is an excerpt from a large compilation of pieces written from the perspective of a mother of a person with Down Syndrome.

... Mark was born. I went into labor three weeks early, without a nursery ready and without any baby lotion on hand. Deep into a surprise labor, I went to Thrifty to get the newborn baby things. No newborn of mine was going to go without baby lotion! Panting in line, the clerk asked me when the baby was due. Soon as you ring this up- so hurry!

Waiting for my husband, Steve at the hospital, the only magazine next to the bed had a cover of ten Down Syndrome teenagers smiling for the camera. It was a crowd of happy teenagers, arms linked in camaraderie, laughing at the photographer. Inside was a list of Down Syndrome facts. Top of the list? “Commonly born three weeks early.” Mark was born at 7lbs 3 ounces. Nice and fat! At the first instant I saw him I suspected Down Syndrome and felt surprisingly comfortable with it. Later, sweet Doctor Wagner brought Mark to us swaddled and clean. In a most loving manner, he began to give us a “tour” of our baby. “Look at these toes, see this wide space between the big toe and the rest of the toes? As long as there were ten toes Steve and I were not impressed! SEE this curve in the little finger? Ahh! Thank heavens there were all ten fingers! See these little ears? Cute as could be! See these elongated eyes? So beautiful! See the long slant of his eyes? Looking back at us was a sleepy newborn. See this straight line across the palm of this hand? Love exploded as I grasped the little hand and it squeezed back.

Dr. Wagner had just gone through the Down syndrome fact checklist from the magazine in the waiting room, and I knew. I watched Steve’s face closely as Dr. Wagner finished his piece... stay tuned for more. NEXT

Be Part of Something...

DownStream Fly Fishing is dedicated to hosting people with Down Syndrome for an epic day of fly fishing. Our motivation is deeply rooted and we are fully supported by communities. We have begun preparations for the 4th annual event taking place this May.

If you know someone with Down Syndrome in the Sacramento area who would be interested please contact me soon.

If you are interested in volunteering we have nearly 70 spots to fill, please contact me soon. Volunteers will get a great lunch, T-shirt and endless memories.

This event is completely free to participants thanks to our amazing sponsors. To be part of our team of sponsors please contact me to get an information packet. With your support we can do anything.

Thank you,
Ryan

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Returning Sponsors

I am proud to release our confirmed sponsors for DownStream 2010... so far.

Sac-Sierra chapter of Trout Unlimited

We are off to a great start with help from two great organizations.

Fishing event for Down syndrome youth | TheUnion.com

http://www.theunion.com/article/20090423/WEBUPDATE/904239989&parentprofile=search

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Recruiting

I will host 25 people with Down Syndrome this year. Currently I have 20 spots to fill. Contact me soon for more information. Spaces will fill up soon as this is our fourth year doing this and have become quite popular.

Email: rhmiller@gmail.com