"My sister has Down's........"

Thanks to Jason Fitch, who has blogged on this really important issue of sibling love >>>>> I asked my oldest if he wanted to read it, however and he turned down my kind request, pointing out eloquently that he lives it daily.....................

Frankie is a Boyle

Comedian Frankie Boyle had an on-stage run-in with a mother of a Down's syndrome child after he made fun of victims. The former panellist on BBC quiz Mock The Week devoted five minutes of a stand-up show to a foul tirade against sufferers and their parents by criticising their hair, clothing and voices. He then turned on the audience, picking on a couple - Sharon and Keiron Smith - in the front row and accusing them of talking. Laughter turned to awkward silence when Mrs Smith told Boyle: 'My daughter has Down's syndrome and I'm very upset.'
Boyle was unrepentant. He made fun of the couple before saying: 'This is my last tour. I don't give a **** what people think.'

Frankie Boyle story here >>>>>

Sharon's blog >>>>>

Eighteen year old with DS from Scotland responds >>>>>

Interesting discussion by people not directly involved in the story>>>>>

My letter to Frankie Boyle's management company:

Hi Frankie - one way that my son doesn't live up to the tiresome stereotypes that you were pandering on stage is the really rude sign he gives when people upset him. We're trying to discourage him from using this, but in your case we're happy to make a massive exception. Steve

Sarah's been Palin'ed

Former US vice-presidential candidate Sarah Palin has criticised TV show Family Guy for "mocking" her son who has Down's syndrome. Sarah Palin criticised by an actress with Down’s syndrome. 

But I think that this is a great development. The character depicted in Family Guy was a positive role model. The reference to Sarah Palin could have been looking to the future when Trig is accepted for what he is, going out to dinner and being 'in charge'. Well done Family Guy and to this actress.

Letter to the Independent

Letter to the Independent 
The ups of Down's
What prospective parents of children with Down's do is 100 per cent their choice (report, 27 October). However, I urge anyone who is looking to make an informed decision to go to www.the-specials.com to see a number of young adults, mainly with Down's Syndrome, sharing a house together in Brighton and having the time of their lives. I'm looking forward to a day when my eight-year-old son Stan, who has Down's, enjoys an independent life, contributing to society and developing friendships.
Steve Palmer

Letter here

A list of Downs sites

UK Down's Syndrome Association 

Down Syndrome Educational Trust

Down's Heart Group (UK)

The Future of Downs Group on Facebook

National Association for Down Syndrome (USA)

Unomas bulletin board (USA)

Sujeet's site: Musician from the USA

Understanding a Down's Syndrome diagnosis: The Ipad app

Dance Syndrome (Lancashire) 

Huddersfield Support Group

Down's Syndrome London

BBC Breakfast News - September 2006 - Eastenders story about DS

Stan was on TV - oh, and his Dad, brother and cousins.
Give it a few seconds to get going - it does sync, promise!

BBC Breakfast News - September 2006 - Eastenders story about DS

Starting school

This was originally on the BBC Ouch! Website

He's just started school.....no longer the nursery I was writing about before. But now he's going....with the uniform! .He's included in his brother's and cousin's primary school. The kids who start in reception get let in gradually - he's staying for just the mornings until October, at which point he becomes a full time pupil. This is a world away from the prognosis we were given on the day he was born: That he may not amount to much. Our boys and their cousins are now at the same school and we are proud parents. When Stan was born, I felt that a lot of the magic of birth was taken from me. On his first day in school proper, I got a bit of that back.