Ian Richardson
Built hundreds of website and helped countless schools realise their potential online. Ian should be called upon for straight-talking advice and to make a difference to the way you present your school through every outlet.
Tomorrow is Down's Syndrome Awareness Day at the Schudio Office. (it's actually on the 21st but we don't work Saturdays!)
Our wonderful little man was born 3 years ago in September and came with a big surprise. Arran has Down's Syndrome. Initially we were mortified and terrified. We felt like we were in mourning for the child we never had. We had images of bullying and heart problems, of shortened lifespan and no career prospects, of no chance of him having children to increased chances of terrifying illnesses such as Leukaemia.
While the health professionals were supporting and helpful, they also warned us of all the dangers associated with a diagnosis of Down's Syndrome. There are lots and lots of things they don't tell you. Whether the conversation is part of them trying to get expectant mum to have 'the test' and then recommending an abortion (the main reason 90% of babies suspected of having Down's are aborted) or part of the support given new parents of a baby with Down's, there is plenty of information they miss out.
Someone born with Down's Syndrome is not a 'Down's Child'. It is not what defines who they are. Spend some time with Arran, or anyone else with Down's Syndrome and you will discover that they have as much to offer as any of the rest of us. Some of us would argue they have more to offer.
We can only speak of Arran but he is a wonderful boy; cheeky, mischievous, funny, sensitive, quiet, noisy, flirty, messy, delicate, strong and much much more. Just like any other boy of 2, going on 3 years old.
He is 'behind the curve' (so to speak) on some things; he is having to work very hard to get around, but he is doing wonderfully well; he is playing catch up with his speech and has extra help to keep this progressing well; he has taken a while to integrate with other children at pre-school but he meets the challenge with courage and determination.
All of these things could be true of any child and the Down's Syndrome Association works incredibly hard to address the issues of fear and misrepresentation of Down's Syndrome.
During tomorrow, the official Down's Syndrome Awareness Day, and over the weekend we will be wearing LOTS and LOTS of SOCKS to show how much colour and variety there is in the world and how we wouldn't change our children for the world.
Join us by wearing lots of socks (anywhere you like!) and tweeting us @schudio and also @DSAinfo (Down's Syndrome Association) and we'll spread the word far and wide with you.
