NADS and Us!

After Alex was born, but still in the hospital, we were visited by a social worker. She was employed by the hospital and her responsibilities included providing information to parents of newborns with special needs. Remember - this was before internet surfing and the only real way to do research was through book stores, libraries and phone calls. Since we were in a hospital - we had a huge number of questions!

The social worker was able to answer some of our questions about down syndrome, but not all. What she did do though, was refer us to an organization called the National Association for Down Syndrome.

From that day on, and until we left the Chicago area, NADS, as we call it, became the most important resource in our life. NADS, despite the use of national in its name, is a Chicagoland based not-for-profit providing support for individuals with down syndrome and their families. I took the following from their web site.

NADS is the oldest organization in the country serving individuals with Down syndrome and their families. It was founded in Chicago in 1961 by parents who chose to go against medical advice and raised their children with Down syndrome at home. Their pioneering efforts have made it easier for later generations of individuals with Down syndrome to be accepted by their families and communities, to develop their capabilities, and to work towards independence. Our mission is to ensure that all persons with Down syndrome have the opportunity to achieve their potential in all aspects of community life. We offer information, support, and advocacy.

The direct support we provide to families through our Parent Support Program, our Mentoring Program, the Work Experience Program, and other individualized services is at the core of our mission, but we do not have the staff or the resources to provide those services outside of the Chicago metropolitan area. However, many of our other services are available to a wider community, including our conferences, our products and publications, our website and online Discussion Forum, and the information about Down syndrome we provide. Our members can be found throughout the United States—and across the globe.

As soon as I received the information about NADS, I called the office. My call was returned by the Executive Director of the organization. She is a mother, like me, who had taken her son home from the hospital in the mid seventies. Sheila was fortunate she had a very supportive doctor, at that time some doctors were recommending institutionalization. We, on the other hand, were encouraged to take our daughter home and raise her as a "normal" child in our family. Her son, Christopher is a remarkable young man. He works full time, is a talented pianist and has an active social life.

Sheila immediately assured me – and she was the first person to do so – that Alex would have a full and complete life. Her exact words were “remember she is a baby first". She also told me of the school resources which were available immediately. She sent us all the information I could possibly ever need. Sheila sent us on our path as advocates and supporters of our special daughter. A path I will always follow.

Equally important, Sheila recognized that we as parents needed support. She directed us to our local parents support group. NADS is involved coordinating these groups, but they really were created by a grassroots movement in the Chicago area to get parents together. These support groups are for the parents and the families, everything else was about Alex.

We joined and met parents just like us, who did not feel odd that our children were different – all of our children had down syndrome. Although we do not live in the Chicago area anymore – I still follow these kids I knew as babies. I know our group still exists and every family with a new baby with down syndrome is invited to join.

I became involved with NADS as a volunteer. John and I were support parents and visited new families with babies with down syndrome. It was an incredible experience to help a young family with a newborn, just as we were helped. I think we were meant to pay it forward.

I became a mentor to an adult with down syndrome, and I still stay in touch with Cindy, by e-mail. She lives in a supervised apartment with two other disabled adults and works at the local grocery store. She also participates in the Special Olympics and is a huge supporter of Alex’s accomplishments. Cindy opened my eyes to her life, one full of friends and happiness. She is an extraordinary person.

Most rewarding though – I was able to see the commitment of the Executive Director and the very talented staff when I served on the Board. I learned the lessons of passion and caring. I tried to give back, to the best of my abilities and still hope to give back if I can. I was a Board member for four years - three of those as the Treasurer. I truly miss this organization.

In closing, I know we have been very fortunate. Alex has good health, and we had the advantage of the services she received as a young child. We were lucky we lived in an area that had an organization like NADS.

Again I wonder...Why isn’t this the case for every family with a child with special needs?