Growing Up With Down's (Raising a Special Child)

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I have panned my thoughts to let the world – parents now the joys of bringing up a ‘Special Child’.

It is a tough and challenging job but I guess that’s what ‘Parenting’ is all about, whether our children are normal or special.

We have been gifted with beautiful children by God. Each child has his/her capabilities and limitations. The Parent is the best judge of his child’s potential and works accordingly to bring out the best in the child. I hope that this book will benefit all those who read it, in understanding a special person better. Especially for parents of special children. This book contains all my personal experiences, facts and information gathered b y me over the years.

Today, my son Dhaval is over 20 years. I have been planning to write about my growing up as a parent with Dhaval. So here it is!

I believe that parents are the true experts in bringing up children and I thought let the world, expecially parents know the joy of bringing up a “special child”.

God has gifted us with beautiful children. Each child has his/her own capabilities. We as parents, should make all efforts to help and encourage our children to realise their full potential.

As parents of ‘special children’ we have a greater responsibility to help mainstream our children into the society as independent individuals – an asset more than a liability to both the family and the society at large.

Experience is the best teacher. I have panned all my personal experiences, facts and information that I have gathered over the years.

I am sure this book will provide an insight to everyone, especially parents, regarding the upbringing of a ‘special child’.

Having a baby is momentous occasion for any couple, Right through the nine months of pregnancy, every couple nurtures some images, dreams and visions for the child. Beginning with the merging of just two cells, the process that we know as life, begins. The cells multiply slowly grow and develop into complex human body, with millions of cells and organs. The miracle is that things go right – most of the time.

Nature is not always perfect, and occasionally things do not go as per plan. Fertilization, the integration of genetic material and the creation of the newborn’s own chromosomal pattern is a complicated process and can be imperfect sometimes. Abnormal chromosomes occur in 0.4% of babies and are responsible for a variety of medical problems. The most common abnormal chromosomal condition is Trisomy 21or Down’s syndrome. Children with Down’s syndrome have a characteristic appearance, slow development, often with special medical needs. For instance, while an average child will start walking around 12 months. Similarly, other critical faculties such as speech are also delayed. The main cause of concern is the slower mental development and lower I.Q that Down’s syndrome children exhibit. Owing to the delayed course of development, children with Down’s syndrome often need to go to special schools that cater to their special needs.

In the jubilant atmosphere of a maternity ward, breaking the news to a young couple that their newborn baby is not perfect is a disheartening task. For parents, dealing with these emotions, which are in sharp contrast to the joy of giving birth to a baby, is far from easy. There are so many questions reeling in their minds. Why did it happen? What did I do wrong? Could this have been anticipated? Could it have been prevented? Why did this happen to me? All these questions and thoughts lead to initial feelings of anger, frustration and emotional turmoil.

This is a remarkable story of a young couple, Nutan and Uday, whose first child Dhaval was diagnosed with Down’s syndrome. The book gives you a touching first hand account of what the young couple went through as parents in bringing up their child. It portrays their struggle, frustrations, efforts to do what is best for the child. It reveals how they learn to cope and grow as parents. The book portrays their growth as parents. The path they follow to reach a stage of understanding and acceptance. That life is not perfect. That portrays their growth as parents. The Path they follow to reach a stage of understanding and acceptance. That life is not perfect. That major events in our life often happen by chance. That the manner in which life unfolds is often not in our control. That just as we, as parents, are not responsible for things not going perfectly well, the newborn baby too, is not responsible for the destiny that has come his way. That love is unconditional. And above all, despite problems and challenges we encounter, life remains precious and beautiful.

This book has been written for a purpose. The underlying spirit is not only one of acceptance but also one filled with positive feelings. It highlights not only the parents’ own journey but an incredible journey for the child who overcomes his handicap. It is meant for all of us, whether we are already parents, soon to be parents or parents to be in the future. This book will help us to appreciate love and support.