A DIFFERENT KIND OF JOY: Lessons Learned by Anne
Photography by Fran Collin
If I were doing it now, I wouldn't cry as hard. I'd know I could deal with it and where to find support. I'd open up and give what I'd learned to other people. That's why I'm co-chair of the Westchester (NY) Support Group of the Parents Assistance Committee on Down Syndrome (CLICK HERE for their helpful pamphlet on understanding Down Syndrome).
We have monthly meetings at which people come to pass the babies around and laugh and cry and ask questions. I reassure new parents that Down Syndrome is an easy disability, because the kids are typically happy and can be included in family and school activities. You can still have those birthday parties and trips to the beach.
I'm on the board of the local branch of The Arc of the United States, a not-for-profit organization serving the lifelong needs of people with disabilities. I keep busy doing PTA work, too,and I'm treasurer of my church. I'm a Unitarian Universalist, and we believe that we should make today's world as good as we can. It's shown me that there are all types of people and we're here to help each other.
You have to be aware of the future. We learned that because of competency issues, you have to designate a legal guardian by the time the child is 18. We'll continue to be his guardians, but we're thinking of naming one of Joe's brothers and our older girl as alternates. David's the apple of her eye.
What else have I learned? Patience, tolerance of diversity—and unquestioning love!