TY  - BOOK
AU  - Blakston, Angela
AU  - McDiarmid, Carolyn
AU  - Ridler, Justin
TI  - Now I see : : through parents' eyes : the enriching journey of raising children with Down syndrome
SN  - 9780646915050
PY  - 2014///
CY  - [Australia]
PB  - www.nowisee.com.au
KW  - CHILDREN
KW  - DOWN SYNDROME
KW  - DIAGNOSIS
KW  - PARENTING
KW  - CHILD PARENT RELATIONSHIPS
KW  - FAMILY EXPERIENCES
KW  - FAMILY INTERACTION
KW  - FAMILY LIFE
KW  - FAMILY SUPPORT
KW  - RESILIENCE
KW  - AUSTRALIA
KW  - NEW ZEALAND
N2  - "Dealing with a diagnosis of Down syndrome for a child can seem, at least initially, to be one of the biggest challenges a parent may ever face. Yet many who have taken this path, with the value of time, wisdom and hindsight, would now not have life - or their child - any other way. In Now I See, 50 parents from Australia and New Zealand tell their personal and poignant stories of how they came, not simply to accept, but to embrace and celebrate life with their child with Down syndrome." - PUBLISHER'S WEBSITE; This is the book which the editor wishes had been around when she was making an “informed decision” about her pregnancy. Something that would balance and complement the medical information, much of which seemed negative and none that told her the positive-of the potential her child had. A book that “while not shying away from the challenges of coping with this situation, also told of the rich and precious lessons and rewards our children have brought to our lives- the strength, courage, delight, perspective, respect and love for instance.” 

I have just read the first story in this wonderful book and was moved to tears by the honesty, love and the hope expressed. 

Most of the stories start with the birth of the child and the reality of Down syndrome, the anxiety, grief and concern but soon progress to seeing the child not a diagnosis.

This book is a must read for anyone who is either coming to terms with having a child with Down syndrome or who is supporting someone in that position.

ER  -