• Home
  • Families
    • 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
  • WDSD
    • WDSD Flyers
    • Book and Video Recommendations
    • WDSD Letter to School from Parent
    • Agenda for Parent Meeting with School about WDSD
    • Rock Your Socks Letter to Students
    • NDSS Lesson Plan 'Get To Know Me'
    • Ds Awareness Coloring Book
    • Ds Awareness Workbook
    • 21 Facts About Down Syndrome Page
    • Blank Sock Coloring Page
    • WDSD Coloring Page
    • WDSD Inclusion Coloring Page
    • WDSD Rock Your Socks Coloring Page
  • 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
  • Contact us
  • Volunteer Opportunities
  • Photos
21 StrongThrough the acceptance and respect of all individuals, we allow everyone to thrive and their gifts to shine. ~21 Strong
Picture

“11 years ago this beautiful little man came into our world, and from that moment our lives were forever changed for the better. The moment I heard his voice I knew his name would be Andrew, and I shouted it out for everyone in the operating room to hear. I still remember the doctor looking at my husband and saying “well, you really can’t argue that one now can you”. 
I wish everything during these 11 years were that certain, like my son knowing for certain which sport he absolutely wanted to play, or which activity had his interest the most. Currently, we’re playing hockey, and I have to say he’s working hard, harder than I’ve seen in quite a while. He’s always been a determined person. At the age of 5 months he was determined to sit-up on his own. Everyday he’d lay in my lap, hold onto my hands and do sit-up after sit-up. If I stopped or moved he’d yell at me and demand that we keep going. After a couple of weeks he succeeded in his goal. Soon after his friend Tessa was learning to stand. She crawled over to Andrew, put her hand on his shoulder and stood. He was so proud of himself. That same determination carried him through many momentous victories.
 
At the age of 4 he was diagnosed with Severe Childhood Apraxia of Speech.  This has been the biggest obstacle for him, but the determination stays strong within him. His current goal is to sing the National Anthem at a professional sports game.  Every day he practices, and every day he gets better and better.  The other thing we wish was more certain is the right form of treatment for this, the right amount of therapy for that, which doctor/therapist could _____________ (just fill in the blank), which school ______________ (just fill in the blank), how much time should ______________ (just fill in the blank,) etc, etc…. 
 
It has definitely been interesting to learn about all the different thought processes, how much information doesn’t exist, information that does exist, and points of view that exist in the world of a person with Down syndrome.
 
Being a full time working mom, and spouse of a man who worked massive amounts of hours to maintain his business, it isn’t always easy to keep on top of all that we need to know in order to help Andrew be the best that he could be.  In comes the awesomeness that is 21 Strong!  This great group of people banded together to support those in the Down syndrome family, and, thankfully, have shared what they have learned along their journey. Without them I’m not sure we’d have been able to do as much for Andrew as we have, and for that we are forever grateful!”
 
~Rhonda


Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.