Marie Evans recently attempted to break the Guinness World Record for the fastest marathon dressed as DNA, inspired by her son Gabriel, who has Down’s syndrome. She tells us how it all happened… In 2013, the year before our wonderful son Gabriel was born, I ran the Edinburgh Marathon, taking 4 hours, 50 minutes. Upon […]
Health Alert! Campaign: Response to Government Consultation
Today sees the culmination of coordinated work across the DSA with the submission of our response to The Department of Health and Social Care consultation on mandatory learning disability training for health and care professionals. For a long while now we have been concerned about the variability in quality of healthcare individuals with Down’s syndrome […]
Ride to Everest will honour Tom’s memory and raise DSA funds
A Hertfordshire man is gearing up for a 10,000 mile motorcycle challenge in memory of his son Tom, who died when he was just seven years old. Richard ‘Dicky’ Barr will ride from London to Mount Everest, leaving the capital on 20th April, the day on which Tom would have turned 22. Tom had Down’s […]
I wish I knew then, what I know now…
Michele is married to Matthew and she has two children, Lois 9 and Elliot 7. Elliot has Down’s syndrome and they live in South London. This is her story… I can clearly remember the day I went for my 12 week scan. I’d told Matt not to bother taking time off of work, it was […]
The Max Factor – celebrating my son Maxwell’s fifth birthday on World Down Syndrome Day
Maxwell was born on World Down Syndrome Day 2014. Now as he turns five on March 21, his mum Molly tells us about Maxwell starting school and his journey into the next stage of his life. As this year’s WDSD theme is #LeaveNoOneBehind, Molly particularly talks about how Maxwell’s school makes sure every single student […]
“One of my biggest fears when Saajan was born was how he would fit in with the Sikh community”
By Harps Kaur When Saajan entered this world, much to our surprise, he came with a little something extra – he had Down’s syndrome. To say we were devastated is an understatement. The grief and sheer shock that washed over me bought with it a wave of deep devastation as my mind was clouded with […]
“It’s all too easy to feel isolated and left behind when you have a child with a dual diagnosis”
By Debbie Austin My 10 year old daughter Lucy has a dual diagnosis of Down’s syndrome and autism and when stressed, has behaviours that can be described as challenging. The ‘Leave No-one Behind’ theme for this year’s World Down Syndrome Day is most welcome. As the years go by and it becomes clear that autism […]
“Teachers told me Shauna was a “health and safety risk” swimming – now she’s a Special Olympian!”
Margaret Hogan was horrified when teachers told her that 9 year old Shauna, her daughter who has Down’s syndrome, was a “health and safety risk” and not allowed to learn to swim like the rest of those in her class. Horrified, Margaret fought the decision and now 17 years later, Shauna has represented Great Britain […]
Setting The Tone
By Liz Arriens “You remember when you had the blood test for Down’s syndrome at 12 weeks, that was just a guide; it looks like your baby is exhibiting characteristics of Down’s syndrome. There are worse things.” This was how we learned Coraline had Down’s syndrome, two hours after she was born, from a paediatrician and […]
Life Through the Lense of Christopher Diedo
Christopher Diedo says photos do the talking for him. His first major public exhibition was seen by more than 3,000 visitors at the Mick Jagger Centre in Dartford, and he’s since shown off his skills at various galleries in London – including at the OXO Tower – as well as taking his talent overseas, showcasing […]
