Written by Ben Cox – October is Down Syndrome Awareness Month. Down syndrome is the most commonly occurring chromosomal condition. Approximately one in every 700 babies in the United States is born with Down syndrome – about 6,000 each year.
This article features two local families and their experience with Down Syndrome. These families, though at very different stages of life with their children, lean on and support each other. Jana and Brandon Brown have a one year old daughter, Brighton. Lane and Shiela Dryden’s son Josh is 40, and they enjoy sharing their life experiences with the Browns.
Lane Dryden says watching the Browns reminds him of the joys he and his wife had as Josh grew up. “One of the neatest things is to watch her (Jana) experience what Brighton is going to be doing, learning and achieving in the future. It’s a marvelous time.”
The differences in medical care today versus when Josh was born are immense, as Sheila recalls.
“Josh had some health issues when he was born, and we were in the hospital with a couple that had their first child who had Downs. Their doctor said to them ‘Put him in a home, let him die, don’t deal with him, go home and have another baby.’ Now that was just 40 years ago, and that was a perception in the medical field!”
Lane says acceptance of kids with Down Syndrome is much easier to come by now. “Nowadays, people understand that they’re just kids. Back then they were ‘put in the closet’ because the family wasn’t sure.”
Sheila is also grateful for the strides that have been made socially. “Life is just better, the awareness that we have now. We have a whole month! I mean, we live with it daily, but to have a time where people are actively talking about it is pretty cool.”
The impact a Downs baby has on the family is not the burden it was once thought to be. Both families have non-Downs children, and Sheila says the impact it has on them “can be a really cool impact.”
Jana says that impact is certainly felt in her home. “My son, Durham, said ‘can I sleep by the baby’ last night? He made a pallet and slept on the floor beside her! It was so cute!”
Changes are often seen in odd places, as well. Sheila says “It changes your perspective on life. It make you appreciate the little things. Our doctor said you will celebrate his first step. Well, everybody does, but when you have a child who is delayed a little, when they do everybody’s just on the table dancing!”
Both families are members of a local chapter of a national association for families with children who have special needs. Jana says “The A.R.C. is an organization where parents can find help and support.” Lane adds “there are so many special needs kids in the community and outlying areas, and we have trouble reaching them sometimes. We want to change that and get them involved.”
Brown says “The A.R.C. is working on a big project, we are bringing a special-needs friendly park to Brownwood. There will be playground equipment that folks with wheelchairs and that kind of thing can use. It will be at Alcorn Park, but it’s not just for special needs children, it’s going to be all-inclusive for all children.”
The Drydens and the Browns are thankful for local organizations like Aldersgate and Janie Clements Industries, which provide support systems and employment opportunities for people with special needs. Josh Dryden has been employed by Aldersgate for several years now.
For more information about A.R.C. and how to get involved, contact Michelle Thomas at 325-642-1503 or visit their Facebook page. More information about Aldersgate can be found on their website, as can Janie Clements Industries.
