My name is Pat and I am nanny to Bertie and mother to Melissa, Bertie’s mommy. My journey with Bertie started when Melissa, a single mother in her 40’s found out she was pregnant. This concerned me, at 40 plus there is always that possibility your baby could be born with health problems. Melissa’s first Read more about I see a future full of happiness[…]

Liz Arriens I am currently reading a book by Glenn and Janet Doman called, ‘How smart is your baby?’. They are known for their work in child development, especially for children with special educational needs. In the book they say, ‘all sounds are language’. I had to read the line again. It really struck me. Read more about Ways we have grown this month: in how we see communication[…]

This week Chloe’s mum Joanne tells us about Dramatize Tea Room – which is opening in May (and already taking bookings!) A project in Shepperton which is giving young adults with learning disabilities an opportunity to learn practical skills for employment – we look forward to lending our support and popping in for some cake! Read more about Dramatize Tea Room[…]

As part of our campaign for World Down Syndrome Day 2021 we have released an e-book, full of stories from real families. The book includes many different family members and people with Down syndrome sharing how they feel about their family. This week we wanted to share with you a piece written by Hannah, sister Read more about Love is not a burden[…]

Happy World Down Syndrome Day! Today some of our WCAT families let us know what their family member with Down syndrome means to them. I didn’t want a baby with Down syndrome, until I had Connie and realised she was everything we never realised we needed in our lives. Julie Seabourne Not only did Chloe Read more about WDSD 2021: We Are Family[…]

This year our WDSD celebration looks at sibling relationships. ‘How will this affect my other children?’ is a question commonly asked by parents who have received a new diagnosis of Down syndrome for their child. Hoping to help answer that question we asked some of our Wouldn’t Change A Thing families what having a sibling Read more about Dear Future Sibling[…]

Thanks to Lorna Morris for this week’s blog about her daughter Nyla. Our pregnancy was greatly anticipated and we were overjoyed to hear we were expecting. Following our 12 week scan we got the gut wrenching phone call from a screening midwife saying our “risk” of one of 3 chromosome abnormalities (t13, t18 or t21) Read more about Nyla has made our family complete[…]

This week we found out a bit more about one of our WCAT ambassadors, Summer, who recently celebrated her 6th birthday. Thanks to mum Leanne for chatting to us. Tell us a bit about Summer… Summer has just turned 6 and is the most amazing little girl, she has an inner light that radiates so Read more about Ambassador Q&A: Summer[…]

Vikki Rooney When I was little my best friend was called Pippi. Pippi has Down syndrome, she’s now 34 and I still see her.  My mum always tells me how I always said to her “When I grow older I would love to have a baby with Down syndrome”.  Fast forwards 20 years, it was Read more about The day I won the lotto[…]

This week, our thanks go to Danielle’s mum, Christina Garland, who shares some of their experiences over the past 30 years. Danielle, we truly hope you get to celebrate your upcoming 30th in style! On Sunday 21st April 1991, at 5.40 am, I gave birth to our beautiful daughter and second child Danielle.  She was Read more about Danielle[…]