Stories from Our Families

The heart of CDSPG lives within our families. Being able to hold on to our community feels so important right now. By sharing our stories we hope to inspire support and excitement for our annual advocacy walk, Step Up for Down Syndrome Baltimore. We have members with Down syndrome who are days old and members who are now adults and sit on our board of directors.

They are inspiring, they are valuable, they are who we Step Up for.

Saige

From Saige’s Mom:

This ride has been nothing short of amazing and adventurous for me. Saige came into our world by surprise and she’s been kicking from day 1! From the inside of the womb making her mark, to the outside, showing the world what “making your mark” is really all about. 

There were so many things I’d never learned or known about Down Syndrome before she stepped into this world. We knew what we’d seen in others as we passed by, or even a cousin, church member etc, but I was simply uneducated about the very thing that was to become a part of my life. 

I was unlearned about all the joy, the peace, the abundance of love you never knew you could feel for someone. I didn’t understand that a child with a disability would build patience in you that you never dreamed you needed or could have. 

Saige having Down Syndrome has not only educated my entire family about “an extra chromosome”, but she’s shifted it with love and togetherness at a time when it seemed everyone was drifting separately to their own things in life. 

So when you see a child or person with a disability, namely in this case, Down Syndrome, don’t say “awww”. I’m not sure about anyone else, but if you’ve ever met Saige, there’s no reason for any negative or sympathetic concern. She’s a warrior, a charm dropped from the heavens to bring light to our minds, and our hearts on earth. 

Whatever you assumed about Down Syndrome, be it from “old wives tales” to what you’ve physically seen that could lead you to believe they’re DIS-abled, let me introduce you to one of the most abled beings on earth today. Is there a delay? Yes. Do you have to listen a little harder to make out what she says? Probably. Will she be able to navigate through the world as she gets older with Down Syndrome? With her team..... ABSOLUTELY! I’ve erased what I THOUGHT I knew about Down Syndrome and replaced it with what I know now about the joy of having a little extra! 

ANI

From Ani’s Parents:

One of the first questions we were asked at a new parent social was when we first learned about our daughters diagnosis: pre-birth or at birth. Since we adopted our daughter, I had no way to answer that question. We learned about our daughters diagnosis through an email.

We walked into the adoption process with our hands and hearts open for any child. Thirty emails later with 25 replies stating we were “open” to placement, we received the email about a little girl who received a birth diagnoses of Down syndrome. Immediately, I had a feeling like none before and I believed this was our little girl. 

Our child with Down syndrome is worthy of every opportunity that life affords her. We celebrate her life and the opportunity we have been given to walk alongside our daughter as she soars past all limitations others place on her. Our decision to parent her is the best decision we ever made. We would make the same decision again and again. Just like many parents have made before us.

LUIS

From Luis’s Parents:

Luis is very memorable. He's also very musical. With his father being a professional percussionist and my having grown up dancing, music, dance, and performing arts in general, are an important part of our lives. Luis grew up having access to more instruments than toys and was exposed to music-making with his father from a young age. We have encouraged him to play and perform as much as possible. He has been in school bands since fifth grade (he is now in seventh grade) and he looks forward to his band class each day. Luis finds expression through music. He plays the keyboard, hand drums, and the drum set. He has taught himself to play the Star-Spangled Banner and would like one day to play the national anthem at an Orioles game. We have no doubt that is a reachable goal and Orlando and we will help him get there! Our life with Down syndrome is full of music, laughter, and love.

BLAKE

From Blakes Mom:

For someone on the outside, they may see a parent of a child with Ds and think, "How unfortunate" or "That must be so hard" and "I feel bad for them." Yes, having a child with any disability can be challenging; we seemingly struggle every day. But not because our child is difficult or we're not equipped to rise up to the occasion. It's hard because so many people only look at the surface of our beautiful babies - their eyes, their speech, their short stature, etc. I can't stress this enough... there is SO much more! And I am so lucky and thankful to have been "hand-picked" to be a Mama to such an amazing little person!

When you have a child with Ds, you over-the-top celebrate all of the seemingly "little things" because, for our children, those are BIG things! Their first steps, their first words... even eating and drinking independently. Perhaps that's why most children with Ds often exude so much happiness; we instill it in them from the very beginning about each day and each moment is one to be celebrated. We're 3 years into our Ds journey with Blake and he maybe knows 45 words and will occasionally speak a couple of 2-word sentences. Most typical kids his age are jabbering off mouthfuls to their peers and parents. Is it sad for me to see Blake so far behind where I know he should be for a typical kid his age? Yes, most definitely. Do I cry about it? 100%; and I'm not ashamed to admit it. But I keep reminding myself that everything any typical child accomplishes, a child with Ds can and will accomplish too; just in their own time. Solidarity and high-fives to all the parents out there working their butts off helping and encouraging their little heroes along. It's not easy. There can be countless hours of teaching and learning and therapies and specialists and doctors. There is frustration when things aren't clicking and things don't seem to be moving as fast as we had hoped. There is sadness when medical complications arise. But there is also hope! Hope when our children finally reach a long-awaited milestone. Hope when you see others interact with your child. Hope when someone looks past the diagnosis.

At the end of the day, to see our child's face light up and think we hung the moon, it's all worth it - every last exhausting minute. But don't ever think for one minute that we're unfortunate just because we were blessed with a child who also happens to have a chromosomal disorder that can lead to cognitive and physical disabilities. None of that matters. We are a tribe of wonderful people who are part of a much bigger family; we are the lucky few.

Melissa

My name is Melissa Silverman.  I am 38 years old and I have Down syndrome.  I was born in Baltimore, MD and now live in Owings Mills, MD.  I am a huge Baltimore fan—I love the Orioles and the Ravens! I also love theatre and enjoy going to the Hippodrome and Center Stage, and attending concerts, especially country music! My favorite hobby is doing magic with my dad.  I enjoy going to the gym to help me keep fit.  I like working out on the machines and taking group classes such as Zumba. I am part of the Best Buddies program at Towson University and attend an annual weekend with my peers and mentors at LiveUp!  

I earned an academic high school diploma in 2001 from Franklin High School in Reisterstown.  I then attended 2 years at CCBC Dundalk campus and earned my 90-hour child care certification.

I have been working with children for the past 16 years as a teacher’s assistant.  I love my job and working with children.

I enjoy being part of my community.  I independently use my iPhone to order an Uber ride back and forth to work.  I maintain my own budget, assist my parents in cooking and do chores around the house.  Although, during COVID-19, I have been doing more cooking and my parents are assisting me! 

I am very active in the Down syndrome community.  I have been attending the annual National Down Syndrome Youth and Adult Conventions since I turned 15.  I look forward to each year’s convention and my big family reunion with many friends and families I have met over the years.  I have been on the board of the National Down Syndrome Congress and our local parent group, the Chesapeake Down Syndrome Parent Group.   I also love going to Washington DC and Annapolis to advocate for people with Down syndrome and all other disabilities.  I have given many presentations to elementary through college students and adults about seeing the possibility of a person with Down syndrome. I want people to see what people with Down syndrome can accomplish given the opportunity and that we can live our dream.  I look forward to attending the Step Up for Down Syndrome Walk  to promote public awareness.

I love my life!!!