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        • Meet Andrew and his Family
      • Andy >
        • Meet Andy and his Family
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      • Brody
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      • Farid
      • Grace >
        • Guisela's perspective
        • Meet Grace and her Family
      • Gianni
      • Halle
      • Henry >
        • Meet Henry and his Family
      • Irving Jr.
      • Jessica
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      • John S.
    • Names M - Z >
      • Magdalena
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        • Susan's perspective
        • Meet Michael and his Family
      • Nina >
        • Julie's perspective
        • Meet Nina and her Family
      • Pauly
      • Ryan B. >
        • Meet Ryan B. and his Family
      • Ryan Y.
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    • Blank Sock Coloring Page
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  • Past Events
    • 2019 >
      • 5/4/19 Friends Night Out
      • 4/11/19 Meet the Author of "Raising Henry"
      • 4/1/19 Coffee Talk
      • 3/30/19 Bouncing Bears Open Gym
      • 3/24/19 World Down Syndrome Day Celebration
      • 3/23/19 Let's Make Art
      • 3/22/19 WDSD Two Roads Brewery Fundraiser
      • 3/21/19 DS ACT & Chapel Haven WDSD Celebration
      • 3/13/19 Hamden Police DS ACT Fundraiser at Mickey's Restaurant >
        • 2/2/19 Adults Night Out
    • 2018 >
      • 12/9/18 21 Strong Family Holiday Party
      • 12/1/18 Holiday Party for Adults
      • 11/2/18 Playdate at Erin Wells' Home
      • 10/20/18 Halloween Party
      • 10/13/18 DS ACT Annual Conference
      • 10/5/18 Mom's Night Out
      • 9/8/18 Buddy Walk - Stepping Up for Down Syndrome
      • 8/19/18 21 Strong Picnic
      • 7/21/18 DS ACT Annual Picnic
      • 6/3/18 Beardsley Zoo Bridgeport, CT
      • 6/2/18 Mom's Night Out
      • 4/14/18 Playdate at Bodie's Place Playground
      • 4/6/18 WDSD Two Roads Fundraiser
      • 4/5/18 Coffee Talk/Playdate in Stratford
      • 3/31/18 Bouncing Bears
      • 3/27/18 Coffee Talk Trumbull
      • 3/25/18 Fire Station Party
      • 3/18/18 World Down Syndrome Day Celebration
      • 3/15/18 Coffee Talk Stamford
      • 3/11/18 Forever 21 World Down Syndrome Day Event New Haven
      • 3/10/18 Bouncing Bears
      • 3/3/18 Bouncing Bears
      • 2/24/18 21 Strong MNO Potluck
      • 2/21/18 Coffee Talk Trumbull
      • 2/17/18 Forever 21 Bowling Party
      • 2/15/18 Coffee Talk Danbury
      • 2/3/18 Bouncing Bears
      • 2/2/18 21 Strong Brewport Dinner
      • 1/23/18 KidCity Playdate
      • 1/20/18 Legal Guardianship Process presentation
      • 1/20/18 Bouncing Bears
      • 1/13/18 Bouncing Bears
    • 2017 >
      • Jan thru June 2017 >
        • 6/3/17 Tween Beat Meet Up
        • 6/2/17 Playdate in Stamford
        • 5/30/17 Born This Way Viewing Party
        • 5/30/17 Coffee Talk
        • 5/6/17 Mom's Night Out
        • 5/5/17 Coffee Talk
        • 4/30/17 Spring Fling
        • 4/28/17 Beauty & the Beast
        • 4/25/17 Coffee Talk
        • 4/13/17 Earthplace Playdate
        • 4/11/17 Family Breakfast
        • 4/1 Bouncing Bears
        • 3/28/17 Coffee Talk
        • 3/12/17 World Down Syndrome Day Celebration
        • 1/28/2017 Tween Beat Bowling
      • July thru Dec 2017 >
        • 12/17/17 Tween Beat Hibachi Dinner
        • 12/9/17 21 Strong Holiday Party
        • 12/5/17 Coffee Talk
        • 11/6/17 Tween Beat Dinner Stamford, CT
        • 11/4/17 CDSC Annual Convention
        • 10/21/17 Halloween Party
        • 10/14/17 21 Strong Photoshoot
        • 10/7/17 Tween Beat Get Air Stamford
        • 9/30/17 CDSC Buddy Walk - Stepping Up for Down Syndrome
        • 9/23/17 - Star Factory, Stratford, CT
        • 9/21/17 - El Rocoto Event, Stamford, CT
        • 9/19/17 - Chipotle Event Fairfield, CT
        • 9/9/17 - Stepping Stones Museum
        • 8/23/17 Flamig Farm Tour and Picnic
        • 8/22/17 Mom's Night Out, Milford, CT
        • 8/19/17 Tween Beat Mini Golf
        • 8/17/17 FUNdraiser Lenny and Joe's Fish Tale
        • 8/15/17 Storytime for the Young DS Community
        • 8/12/17 21 Strong Picnic
        • 8/10/17 Mom's Night Out, Milford, CT
        • 7/21/17 Storytime for the Young DS Community
        • 7/12/17 Playdate Picnic West Hartford
        • 7/8/17 CDSC Family Picnic
    • 2016 >
      • Jan thru June 2016 >
        • 6/13/16 Breakfast
        • 6/6/16 Sesame Place
      • July thru Dec 2016 >
        • 12/3/16 Holiday Party for Adults
        • 11/22/16 Mom's Night Out
        • 11/4/16 Family Movie Night
        • 10/28/16 Moms Night Out
        • 10/22/16 Halloween Party
        • 8/20/16 FAMILY PICNIC
        • Fall Group Music Therapy
        • 10/14/16 Breakfast Get Together
    • 2015 >
      • 10/17/15 Halloween Celebration
      • 5/8/15 Guys night out
      • 5/1/15 Ladies Night out
      • 4/30/15 Playdate in Stratford
      • 3/29/15 World Down Syndrome Day Celebration
      • Bouncing Bears 2014-2015
    • 2014 >
      • 10/18/14 Halloween Gathering
      • Special Needs Playgroup: Tuesdays 3-5 at Tot Town Party and Play, Brookfield, CT
      • 7/19/14 Family Picnic
      • 3/23/14 World Down Syndrome Day
    • 2013 >
      • 10/12/13 Halloween Festival
      • 8/4/13 Family Picnic
      • 5/16/13 Breakfast
      • 3/24/13 World Down Syndrome Day
      • 3/9/13 Parents' Gathering
      • Bouncing Bears
    • 2012 >
      • 10/20/12 Halloween Gathering
      • 10/5/12 Family Library Time
      • 9/25/12 Moms Night Out
      • 6/19/12 Playgroup
      • 6/9/12 Beardsley Zoo
      • 5/4/12 Reading Seminar
      • 3/29/12 Mom's Night Out
      • 3/21/12 Mom's Night Out
      • 3/18/12 World Down Syndrome Day
      • 1/19/12 Mom's Night Out
      • 1/6/12 Playgroup
    • 2011 >
      • 5/26/11 Moms Night Out
      • 5/13/11 Playdate
      • 3/20/11 World Down Syndrome Day Celebration
      • 2/15/11 Chinese New Year Luncheon
    • 2010 >
      • 11/17/2010 Breakfast
      • 10/30/2010 Halloween Gathering
      • 10/17/10 Walk in the Park for Abilis
      • 10/16/10 Buddy Walk CT
      • 10/3/10 Romp for Research
      • 4/8/10 Preparing your child to read seminar
      • 3/20/10 World Down Syndrome Day Flyer
  • Resources
    • Advocates, Attorneys, Inclusion, Legal Resources
    • Books >
      • Books for Children
      • Books for Parents and Educators
    • Camp >
      • DS ACT Camp Grants
    • Down Syndrome Awareness Videos
    • Education >
      • Early Intervention
      • K - 12 >
        • Friendship/Talking to Children
      • Literacy Tutoring >
        • Reading Resources
      • Post-Secondary Programs
    • Employment
    • General information on Down syndrome and Ds Resources
    • Financial Assistance >
      • DDS Grants
      • DS ACT Camp Grants
      • Molly's Helping Hand
      • Molly Ann Tango Memorial Foundation
      • Respite for Families
      • Save the Kid Fund (Bikes)
      • The Umbrella Club
      • UnitedHealthcare Children’s Foundation
    • Fun and Unique Resources >
      • Art Programs
      • Dance
      • Daniela's Little Wish - Free Birthday Cakes
      • Pageants
      • Passes and Tips for things to do
      • SPORTS
      • Therapeudic Riding
      • Toys/Games
    • Medical >
      • Autism / Down Syndrome dual diagnosis
      • Behavior
      • Breastfeeding
      • Dental and Orthodontics
      • Endocrinologists
      • ENT
      • GI Doctors
      • Nutrition, Wellness, Reiki
      • Pediatric Opthalmoligists
      • Physical Therapy
      • Psychiatrists
      • Research
      • Sleep Disorders
      • Speech Therapy
      • Therapeutic Tools / Toys
    • Technology
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21 StrongThrough the acceptance and respect of all individuals, we allow everyone to thrive and their gifts to shine. ~21 Strong

ANDY



​Andy was born on January 20,2014 and although we didn't feel it at the time he was the greatest gift God has given us. Doug and I didn't know Andy had Down syndrome and the diagnoses took a toll on is. Emotionally it was extremely difficult to handle and accept and came with all sorts of medical complications as well. He had a hole in his heart and difficulty breathing on his own. After 3 weeks in the nicu we were finally able to take our baby home. As scared as I was I felt so much support from all of my 21 strong family and our family at home. I felt confident that I would be the best mom I could for Andy, even though there was so much unknown.

Andy was born a fighter and hasn't given up since. 1 month after taking him home he was in the hospital again for a Major infection, we spent our one year anniversary at Yale. After 2 weeks we went home only to need open heart surgery a few months later. Complications with that led to a pacemaker and a whole new set of unknowns. After a long month we set home to face life with our little guy and I was determined to learn all I could. Every day was a battle but after time the sadness was replaced by smiles, the tears wiped away with laughs. His milestones meant so much more and He was Andy, I no longer saw Down syndrome. Andy changed me in so Many ways.... I'm a better mom for having the opportunity to raise him!

Fast forward to now.... He is the big brother to his little sister Emma and his biggest fan. He is feisty, smart, loving, cuddly, ambitious and strong. When Andy wants to do something nothing stands in his way. He's 2.5 and he is coming along with his talking. He is happy and smiles all the time. His smile could light up the darkest sky. 

21 strong has helped me cope with the darkest times in my life to date, they have supported me , prepared me and guided me. They've been the best of friends I could have ever asked for. 
​
Nothing about Down syndrome is down.... Is a different life but sure is an AMAZING life. I consider myself luckier then most. I have the healthy typical child most people have and then I was fortunate enough to be blessed with Andy. He opens my eyes to an innocence about the world nobody else can, he forces me to stop and focus on the moment and drop planning..... He taught me that the best things in life are the ones that were completely unexpected.

~Michelle
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