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        • Meet Andrew and his Family
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        • Meet Andy and his Family
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        • Guisela's perspective
        • Meet Grace and her Family
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        • Meet Henry and his Family
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        • Meet Michael and his Family
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        • Julie's perspective
        • Meet Nina and her Family
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        • Meet Ryan B. and his Family
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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 >
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    • Camp >
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    • Education >
      • Early Intervention
      • K - 12 >
        • Friendship/Talking to Children
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      • Post-Secondary Programs
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    • Financial Assistance >
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      • Molly's Helping Hand
      • Molly Ann Tango Memorial Foundation
      • Respite for Families
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      • UnitedHealthcare Children’s Foundation
    • Fun and Unique Resources >
      • Art Programs
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      • Daniela's Little Wish - Free Birthday Cakes
      • Pageants
      • Passes and Tips for things to do
      • SPORTS
      • Therapeudic Riding
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    • Medical >
      • Autism / Down Syndrome dual diagnosis
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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
Picture
Meet Nina and her Family!
 
“My daughter Nina was born on my 35th birthday. It was a total surprise when she arrived on that day (stealing my birthday I said at the time) and it was an even bigger surprise the next day when doctors told us they suspected she had Down syndrome. And they were right. After the shock wore off, our family processed version of our life we had not envisioned. One that seemed really scary and strange. (There is a great poem that explains this phenomenon called "Welcome to Holland," by Emily Pearl Kingsley, who has written for Sesame Street since 1974 and has a son who has Down syndrome.)
 
In a matter of days, we realized we were not alone, and it wasn't as scary as we thought, though I think most would agree that medical issues with children are still about as scary as it gets. Down syndrome is not just about intelligence, it’s about health and development. Many children with Down syndrome need open heart surgery as babies- Nina didn't. We were so fortunate.
After Nina was born, my perspective changed about many things: biology, statistics, humanity, compassion, healthcare, community, human rights, education and inclusion, to name a few. I had never given more than a passing thought to what having disability would be like- whether intellectual, or physical, or at birth, or after an accident, or something that is just a nuisance every day- then I noticed it everywhere!
 
A common phrase in the community I am now part of is "More Alike Than Different"- people who happen to have Down syndrome are human, want the same things everyone else wants, and enjoy the same things: learning, eating, playing, being loved, a full range of emotions, and wanting to be useful in a job, make money, and be independent! Sure there are differences, things her brother didn't do; for example, Nina had therapists that helped her learn to play and crawl and walk so it would not take too many years and she could develop closer to the timeline of other kids her age. But she still ate, drank, cried, pooped and made us laugh. You can read a story from her earlier years here: http://www.ndss.org/My-Great-Story/Virtual-Storybook/Family/Proud-Mom/
 
Fast forward to today…Nina will be 9 years old this November, she's in 3rd grade in our local school her brother went to, she loves horseback riding and swimming (but does both with special instruction), and she loves traveling and eating great food - even though she can't have gluten due to celiac disease which is common. Her health is what is most important and she only has minor health concerns we watch and monitor. She's so funny, and cute, and lights up our life, and drives her brother nuts sometimes- as it should be. I love being her mom, and I just remind myself when things take a lot of patience or seem tough that all moms (and dads) go through similar with their kids. And that it does take a village, especially when you need a little extra support.
 
Do people look at us twice and sometimes whisper to each other or ask question about why she acts differently than they expected her to? They sure do, but that's ok. Kids ask the most, they are curious and direct, and they just want to understand. One day when someone is not nice, whether and adult or a kid, we will try to explain to them that while some people need different or extra support they can still be your friend, live meaningful lives, and do meaningful work.
 
People who have Down syndrome are breaking through into mainstream media which is a great way for people to learn more about how much they can do, and how inspiring they can be. A&E is set to run the 4th season of a show called "Born This Way." The cast of adults who have Down syndrome and their parents just won an Emmy! It's really cool to see how the adults on the show grow and learn and go out into the world to get job training and work, and get paid - hopefully fair pay! I am looking forward to even more possibilities and openness when Nina is ready to work.
 
I have been a part of 21 Strong since 2009 – and am glad to keep in touch with the families I have met over the years.
 
Thanks for listening to a bit about my journey so far… “
 
~Julie

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