Out of America there is always something new. The latest example of its unparalleled contribution to medical progress is the announcement by the University of Washington that scientists have succeeded in removing the extra copy of chromosome 21 in cell cultures derived from a person with Down’s syndrome. Since it is the possession of three, rather [Read more...]
Why would we want to ‘cure’ our daughter’s Down’s Syndrome when we love her just the way she is?
November 22, 2012 By Leave a Comment
Adorable four-year-old boy with Down’s syndrome set to steal the show in new M&S Christmas TV advert
November 6, 2012 By Leave a Comment
Featuring everything from Take That exchanging gifts with Twiggy in front of a roaring log fire to Danni Minogue tearing up the dancefloor at a festive party, the annual Marks & Spencer Christmas commercial is always a star-studded affair. But any famous faces who pop up in this year’s advert, due to hit television screens on Wednesday, are likely to be outshone by a certain smiling four-year-old. Seb White, who has Down’s syndrome, was snapped up by the retailer to pose for its catalogue after his mother – frustrated by the lack of diversity among child models – posted his photograph on the store’s Facebook page. [Read more...]
I plunged into grief when doctors said Seb had Down’s syndrome – I was wrong
October 31, 2012 By Leave a Comment
Mum Caroline White is thrilled her son Seb has landed a modelling role for M&S - and hopes it will change the public’s attitude to Down’s syndrome. Her pride today is a far cry from the “grief” she plunged into when told baby Seb has the condition. As she realises, Caroline’s first reaction was the product of commonly held attitudes and prejudices. [Read more...]
Special Olympics athlete with Downs syndrome pens open letter to Ann Coulter after she calls President Obama a ‘retard’
October 25, 2012 By Leave a Comment
Conservative political commentator and constant provocateur Ann Coulter sparked outrage when she referred to President Obama as a ‘retard’ after the third and final debate. Her harsh Twitter message was greeted with a thoughtful, lengthy open letter from a Special Olympics athlete who condemned her actions in the kindest way. John Franklin Stephens, a 30-year-old athlete with Downs Syndrome, wrote that he urged Coulter to apologize for her statement. ‘Come on Ms. Coulter, you aren’t dumb and you aren’t shallow. So why are you continually using a word like the R-word as an insult?’ he wrote. [Read more...]
‘Gender bending’ chemicals from household goods like plastic packaging and make-up ‘raise risk of miscarriages Down’s syndrome’
September 25, 2012 By Leave a Comment
Chemicals in the environment may be harming unborn babies by raising the risk of miscarriages and Down’s syndrome, scientists warn.
U.S. researchers claim even low-level exposure through households goods while pregnant can interfere with the formation of eggs in the developing foetus.
It raises the possibility these hormones, widely used in plastic bottles, make-up and packaging, could be causing damage to future generations.
Scientists at Washington State University gave pregnant [Read more...]
Down’s Syndrome boy models for M&S
September 21, 2012 By Leave a Comment
SMILING Seb White is to model kids’ clothes for Marks & Spencer breaking down barriers for other children with Down’s Syndrome.
Seb, four, will appear in the chain’s Christmas magazine after proud mum Caroline, 39, posted a plea online.
Caroline, of Bath, Somerset, said: “It’s about raising awareness.”
Why Becky Kenyon is a mum in nine million
September 19, 2012 By 1 Comment
DOTING Becky Kenyon has three children with three different disabilities — the odds of which are one in nine million — but refuses to call herself unlucky.
The full-time carer, 40, says: “My babies are alive and full of love — things could be a lot worse.”
Becky’s eldest son Ben, 15, has Asperger syndrome, middle lad Harry, 13, has Down’s syndrome, and Charlie, eight, is autistic.
She says: “Knowing they were going to need lots of extra support and lifelong care was very difficult to take in at first. [Read more...]
