“What makes us the same is that we’re all different.”
That’s the theme of Down Syndrome Awareness Week (Oct. 31 – Nov. 7) for local support group Blue Genes. Founder Darlene Bertin, along with her family and three others that the group works with, will gather to recognize and celebrate that sameness and uniqueness in their loved ones that live with Down syndrome.
Ten years ago, Bertin’s son Connor was born seven weeks early, and was quickly diagnosed with Down syndrome. She held him in her arms as her doctor made a list of all the things Connor would not be able to do in his life. But she refused to let negativity sink in, and instead focused on the unique journey she would be taking with her son.
“For many parents who find out (their child has Down syndrome) it’s a shock, and not always a positive reaction, but ours was. We were so excited to have a little boy that was healthy even though he was born seven weeks premature,” she said. “We knew we’d be on a different journey than we had planned. We decided our life would be positive and we’ve never looked at it as a negative at all.”
A decade later, she credits her son with introducing her to a world of amazing people that she never would have met otherwise. Connor himself has amazed her every step of the way, and his list of accomplishments keeps getting longer.
“I’d love for (the doctor) to see Connor ten years later, and to show him everything he has done,” she said. “He has lived an incredibly full life.”
Community members will have a chance to learn more about the condition with a couple of events planned for the week. ‘Buddy walks’ will be held at both Whispering Hills Primary School and Landing Trail Intermediate School. The WHPS event will be held on Thursday, Nov. 3 at 1:35 p.m. The walk at LTIS will be held on Friday, Nov. 4 at 11:30 a.m. Everybody is welcome to come out and show their support.
Blue Genes is also selling special t-shirts ($20 each) emblazoned with the week’s theme at the schools as well as at Flowers By Christina and Athabasca University. These places, as well as Buy-Low Foods, will also have collection cans for those who wish to donate. The money raised will buy books for the school libraries as well as the public library to provide a little more education on Down syndrome.
Kids who donate one dollar or more will be eligible for prizes. Adults who pledge $20 or more will be eligible for prizes as well.
The family is once again taking part in the Buddy Walk in Edmonton as ‘Connor’s Cowboys’.
As the week approaches, Bertin wants to raise awareness and make people understand that people with Down syndrome are just as capable as everyone else.
“Given the opportunities and supports, they can do what their peers do. Individuals with Down syndrome should be totally included.”
And it’s an opportunity for Bertin and her family to reflect on how far they’ve come together.
“Not everyone gets to go on this journey. We wouldn’t want it any other way.”
