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Table decorated with paper flowers, framed pictures and Mexican fiesta banners

Keeping up with our Mexican Culture

By Lizzeth Saldaña / September 25, 2023

From a Mexican American family view My husband and I were born in the border city of El Paso, Texas and since our dating days, we understood the importance of keeping our culture and traditions alive within our own family and community. When we decided to start our family, San Antonio without a doubt was going to be our new home. As many Mexican American border families, we come from a beautiful and rich culture…

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drawing of a boy and girl wearing backpacks on their way to school

Back-to-School Basics for a Successful Year

By Magaly Diaz / August 23, 2023

It’s the end of summer vacation for most of our school-aged children. If you have a child with an IEP, panic sets in. New year, new teachers, new class, maybe even new school! While it can be exhausting to start new collaborative relationships with the school and staff, this is a very important first step; however, it is necessary to do some prep work early on so your child will be set up for success…

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young girl with down syndrome at camp smiling at the camera and wearing an orange t-shirt

Summer Camps for Children with Disabilities

By Ginger Lambert / July 15, 2023

Guest writer Ginger Lambert shares her experiences with sending her daughter Avery (17yo) to various camps in the area. Being a parent to a child with an extra chromosome means having to carefully plan out the summer break for your child. You should plan to start registering for summer camps in January or February. August is a great time to look into weekend, spring break, and holiday camps. Some of the camps have a very…

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young boy with Down syndrome with his arm around his dad

A Father’s Reflection

By Joseph Conroy / June 12, 2023

From the moment he was born, it seemed like my son Daniel couldn’t wait to start experiencing everything life has to offer. My wife and I would have appreciated if he could have waited a few more minutes: barring a last-second save by a doula, Daniel would have been born on the floor of a hospital bathroom. My wife realized that Daniel had Down syndrome before I did. In the hospital room the day after…

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young boy with down syndrome and his sister giving him a hug around the neck.

Rocket Ship

By Cori McGhee / March 23, 2023

March 21st is recognized as World Down Syndrome Day. We come together to advocate for inclusion and celebrate our friends and family members with a diagnosis of Down syndrome. This special day is a reminder of how strong this community is. If you would have asked me 10 years ago what I knew about Down syndrome, I would have answered “not much.” Nine years ago, after an uneventful pregnancy, everything changed. I gave birth to…

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young adult lady with down syndrome clapping

Meet Cristina

By Cristina Kazmierczak / January 25, 2023

I am Cristina, a 28-year-old woman with Down syndrome. Sometimes it takes longer for me to learn new skills, but that has not stopped me from doing what I love.   Getting more education is one of my goals. I enjoyed school because I loved to learn and be with my friends, some who also have disabilities. Sometimes it was not so easy making friends and going to regular classes, but I set a goal…

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young boy with Down syndrome wearing black-rimmed glasses and a green sweater and smiling at the camera

Christmases With Daniel

By Elicia Conroy / January 4, 2023

Our first Christmas with Daniel was before he was even born. Unbeknownst to him, he made his first plane ride in utero: a trip to see my dad in Florida. We visited New Smyrna Beach which has been a special spot for my family for a long time, from the time of my paternal great-grandparents. I walked the water line and took pictures while Daniel’s two-year-old sister walked into the ocean for the very first…

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adult man with Down syndrome smiling at the camera

Gratitude

By Danielle Edwards / November 22, 2022

A 2011 study in the American Journal of Medical Genetics found that self-reported happiness among those with Down syndrome was at a staggering 99 percent. The same survey found 79% of parents felt their outlook on life was more positive because of their son/daughter with Down syndrome. In positive psychology research, gratitude is strongly and consistently associated with greater happiness. Gratitude helps people feel more positive emotions, relish good experiences, improve their health, deal with…

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Blue and yellow Down syndrome awareness ribbon and butterfly

Our Favorite Month of the Year

By Faith Levario / October 25, 2022

It is finally our favorite time of year! October is Down Syndrome Awareness Month, a time when we give recognition, raise awareness, and celebrate all the individuals who have the extra chromosome and the extra brightness! What is Down syndrome? Down syndrome is a genetic condition where a person is born with an extra copy or part of a copy of chromosome 21. According to the National Down Syndrome Society, about 1 in 700 babies…

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