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    • Names A - L >
      • Abhi
      • Amber Skye
      • Andrew >
        • Meet Andrew and his Family
      • Andy >
        • Meet Andy and his Family
      • Anthony
      • Aubrey
      • Brody
      • Chase
      • Evan
      • Farid
      • Grace >
        • Guisela's perspective
        • Meet Grace and her Family
      • Gianni
      • Halle
      • Henry >
        • Meet Henry and his Family
      • Irving Jr.
      • Jessica
      • JoJo
      • John
      • John S.
    • Names M - Z >
      • Magdalena
      • Matthew
      • Michael >
        • 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.
      • Sadey
      • Sophia
      • Thayer
      • Will
  • Tween Beat
  • Upcoming Events
    • 4/14/18 Playdate at Bodie's Place Playground
    • 5/6/18 Beardsley Zoo Bridgeport, CT
    • 7/?/18 TBD 21 Strong Picnic
    • 7/21/18 DS ACT Annual Member Picnic
    • 10/13/18 DS ACT Annual Conference
  • WDSD
    • WDSD School Request Letter Template
    • WDSD School Meeting Agenda Template
    • Rock Your Socks Flyer WDSD Template
    • Rock Your Socks Letter for Students Template
    • NDSS Lesson Plan 'Get To Know Me'
    • Ds Info Coloring Book
    • Down Syndrome Awareness Activity Book
    • 21 Facts About Down Syndrome Page
    • Blank Sock Coloring Page
    • Down Syndrome Awareness Videos
    • Books
  • Past Events
    • 2018 >
      • 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 >
        • 12/9/17 21 Strong Holiday Party
        • 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
    • Education >
      • Early Intervention
      • K - 12
      • Post-Secondary Programs >
        • Friendship/Talking to Children
        • Reading Resources
    • 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 >
      • Daniela's Little Wish - Free Birthday Cakes
      • PAGENTS
      • Passes and Tips for things to do
      • SPORTS
      • Therapeudic Riding
      • Toys/Games
    • Medical >
      • Autism / Down Syndrome dual diagnosis
      • Behavior
      • Breastfeeding
      • Dental and Orthodontics
      • Endocrinologists
      • Nutrition, Wellness, Reiki
      • Pediatric Opthamoligists
      • Psychiatrists
      • Research
      • Speech Therapy
      • Therapeutic Tools / Toys
  • Contact us
  • Volunteer Opportunities
  • Photos
21 Strong<br />Through the acceptance and respect of all individuals, we allow everyone to thrive and their gifts to shine. ~21 Strong
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“Seven years passed since we received our precious gift. Our third son, Farid, was born in Moscow, Russia. Considering the environment where more than 50% of kids born with Down syndrome are rejected by parents, we decided to leave the country and move to the US.


The time spent in Washington, DC was amazing; we were astonished by the support provided to Farid both at school and by local community. Hence, it was with some regrets when in a year we had to move to Germany because of my husband’s job transfer.


During the next 4 years Farid was going to a Kindergarten, became more independent and adjusted to the demanding environment. However, the upcoming school years could have put an unbearable pressure both on us and, most importantly, on Farid as German education system requires separation of kids with disabilities from others and does not provide adequate education support. That is when we decided that the move back to the US would be the right one.
Within a short period of time we received a lot of supportive information from the CT Down Syndrome Congress (our deepest gratitude to Patty Alessandro), which affected our decision to settle down in New Canaan.


Then we learned about the Strong 21 community and met Melody. Not only was she very responsive to our queries, but also quite proactive by advising services that our family is benefiting today. Many thanks to Melody for her outstanding support.


In the meantime, Farid has grown fast and pretty much enjoying his life. He is in the 1st grade, loves going to school and interacting with his peers. He is a great “actor” like most of other kids are and developed a resilient character. Having embraced changes and challenges from the relocations, he nowadays understands speech in three different languages. He is getting better and stronger, which fills our lives with hope and optimism looking forward.”
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- Ziba
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