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31 For 21: Day 31...21 Things About Andrew

My life would be very different if Andrew wasn't born with Down Syndrome. That day, December 12, 2006, changed my life forever. I have made connections with people whom I never would have met if it wasn't for the extra chromosome that Andrew was blessed to have. Three copies of his 21st chromosome...funny how something as small as that could change your life. My goals, now that he and his sister are a bit older and more independent, are to increase awareness and garner more acceptance for people with Down syndrome. It is not an illness and it is not contagious. People with Down syndrome deserve the same acceptance and respect that everyone else deserves. Leave me a comment if your life has been touched with someone with Down syndrome.

So, here are 21 things about Andrew that makes him who he is...

1. Andrew has Down syndrome, which was diagnosed after he was born. It occurs in approximately one in every 800 live births.

2. If he knows you well, Andrew will always have a big smile and a hug for you.

3. If he doesn't know you well, Andrew will put his head down when we sees you, but will peek out to look at you to get to know you better.

4. Andrew loves to play outside. Whether it's running up and down the driveway or kicking a ball, he'd rather be out in the fresh air than inside.

5. Andrew's favorite breakfast is french toast with syrup followed by pineapple and milk.

6. Andrew's favorite television show is Spongebob Squarepants. He could watch it all day if I let him.

7. Andrew loves going to school. He currently attends the special education preschool three times a week at Burr Hill Elementary School in Higganum, Connecticut, which is part of Regional School District #17.  He also attends a private preschool  two times a week with all typical peers at the Killingworth Nursery School in Killingworth, CT.
8. Andrew likes to be tickled.  He'll run away when you tickle him, but then he'll run back to you to get him again.

9. Andrew likes to observe what's going on around him.  He models what he sees when he is confident that he can do it.

10. Andrew loves for me to read to him every night before bed.  Then we snuggle in his bed until he falls asleep.  Usually, I fall asleep with him.

11. Andrew loves playing with the water and using the water-friendly crayons in the bathtub during his bath, but he hates when I pour water over his head when I wash his hair.

12. Andrew is very cautious when it comes to movement.  While other children will run around and jump over obstacles in the playground, Andrew will take his time and figure out what to do first.

13. Delayed speech is a common issue in children with Down syndrome, due to low oral muscle tone. Since Andrew started preschool, his words have multiplied.  He learns more words everyday from conversation in class. Most of the time, only his family can understand what he is saying, but with more practice and development of his oral muscles, everyone should be able to understand him.

14. Andrew has also learned a ton of sign language to help him communicate with others. He is constantly watching the Signing Times DVD and can sign along with all of them.  Most of the time, he shows us the sign when the word comes on the screen, before Rachel demonstrates it.

15. Andrew usually gets along well with his younger sister, Hailey. They love to wrestle on the floor, laughing hysterically the whole time, until someone hurts the other's feelings.  Sibling rivalry still exists!

16.  Andrew LOVES to paint.  At his private preschool, he paints every time he is there because the easel is always setup with fresh paint, paper and brushes.  I usually take home at least TWO masterpieces each time.

17. Andrew has taught all of us to enjoy the simple things in life...the fascination of a ladybug crawling across the table, the delight in watching water flow down the driveway. It's the memories that we are making together, the moments that we enjoy each other that are more important than getting the chores done.

18. Andrew has made so many friends already.  Adults love him too!  It is so heartwarming to hear stories that others tell about him.  His teachers always have a funny story to tell.  His private school teacher always tells me how great the other kids are with him and that they are genuinely interested in him.

19. Andrew loves his new friend, Bonnie!  She works with us in our kitchen.  Whenever I ask him "Who's coming to work today?" he always says, "Bonnie!"  It used to sound like "Bunny" and it took us awhile to figure out what he meant.

20. Andrew has been missing his "Pop-Pop" who has been in the hospital.  He is very in tune to changes in his routine and he is definitely noticing that his grandfather is not here to help me get him off to school in the mornings. 

21. Andrew is more like his typical peers than different!