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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
  • 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
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“I had the most glorious pregnancy. Everything went right and all was perfect. Even after having multiple Level II ultrasounds (only due to my age) everything was always perfect. We did not know if baby was a boy or a girl, we wanted it to be a surprise. Well, what a surprise we got. I delivered at 39 weeks and was so excited driving to Waterbury Hospital knowing that today was the day! Mike and I couldn't wait to meet our baby! Everyone in the room yelled “It's a Boy!!!!”  The second he was shown to me through the cesarean curtain, I knew. I knew something wasn't right. He did not look like my other son, Landon. Bonding was hard the first few hours after birth because all my family and friends were passing him around in awe at how perfect he was. I couldn't do anything but lay there with this pit in my stomach. Once family left, we were told they suspected Thayer has Down syndrome. Our world came crashing down at the thought. I didn't sleep for nights or eat for days. Googling everything I could on Down syndrome. It's funny how things happen in life. One of my oldest girlfriends texted me one night and said "I met another nurse who also has a son, a little older than Thayer, with Down syndrome. I told her you would reach out". And so I did. I met Kristen Robles through the grace of God. She told me everything was going to be ok. She told me to message the CT Down Syndrome Congress and get involved. The outpouring messages I received from moms all over was really unimaginable. My inbox was flooded with kind words, words of encouragement and many play dates! Through 21 Strong we have met so many families and made many new friends. I received a welcome package from the CT Down Syndrome Congress on my doorstep days after I originally reached out. It was the kindest gesture ever. The support that 21 Strong has provided Mike and I is truly something I cherish and will for many years to come. I am very new to this new journey and life. But I could not imagine it any other way. Thayer is perfect. Our family is perfect.”
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~ Joy


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