Down Syndrome Definition: What is Down Syndrome?

Most of the people know or understand very little about what Down Syndrome is, both before or after you children was born. The Down Syndrome is one of the most common birth defects. Usually children born with this condition have some degree of mental retardation, as well as characteristic physical features. Many of this children have other health problems.

The Down Syndrome means that your child has one more chromosome in each of the million cells that form the body. Normally, each cell in the human body contains 23 pairs of chromosomes for a total of 46 chromosomes in this case the children has 47 chromosomes one more than normal, the chromosomes contain the genetic material that determines all our inherited characteristics. We receive half of each chromosome pair from our mother and the other half from our father. The Down Syndrome condition occurs when the chomosome number 21 does not split when it duplicates forming with this a third chromosome this phenomena is known as “Trisomy 21". Individuals with the most common form of Down Syndrome or trisomy 21, have an extra 21 st chromosome.

We should clarify two important things about Down Syndrome: First: Parents do not cause Down Syndrome; nothing you did or did not do before or during pregnancy caused your baby to have Down Syndrome. Second: Like “normal” children each baby with Down Syndrome is unique, with its own personality, talents and thoughts.

Each year in the United States, approximately one in every 800 to 1000 newborns has Down Syndrome. This translate to approximately 5,000 children. In the United States today, Down Syndrome affects approximately 350,000 people. As many as 80%

of adults with this condition reach age 55, and many live longer. This common birth defect occurs in all races, ethnical groups, socioeconomic groups and nationalities and could happen to anyone’s family.

Scientist had conducted research to investigate the causes of Down Syndrome for decades, so far the exact causes that makes the chromosome 21 stick together has alluded discovery. However research into finding the causes of Down Syndrome continues.

No one knows exactly why this chromosomal abnormally occurs, but it does appear to be related to the age of the mother. At age 25 a woman has a one in 1,250 risk for having child with Down Syndrome, the risk increases to one in 925 at age 30, to one in 378 at age 35, to one in 106 at age 40 and one in 35 at age 45. However 80% of children born with Down Syndrome are born to mothers under the age of 35. This is because most babies, in general , are born to younger women.

The unexpected arrival of a Down Syndrome baby is an experience that makes us feel confused, isolated and defenseless, at the beginning we do not know what to do, to whom to talk to or turn for help. Fear is also in our mind since we are not familiar with this unknown phenomena, up to that moment. However we should worry not, since there are resources that help us to handle it, one of these resources is the big help that other families who have experienced it and have succeed with their children offer and are open to help.

The Familias Latinas Unidas Por El Sindrome de Down group purpose is to share information, provide support and orientation to the new families, we share and learn from our own experiences. We look to further our own knowledge and information by educating ourselves and the group via seminars, conferences and literature pertaining to enlighten us in how to cope with Down Syndrome.

The Familias Latinas Unidas Por El Sindrome de Down group consists of 14 active families, and other that visit and stay for short period of time and other that decide to go back to their countries. The cultural legacy comes from many countries other than just the United States, such as Puerto Rico, Republica Dominicana, Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador, Nicaragua y Colombia. All the Latino Families that wish to participate are welcome regardless of their origin, social status, raze, culture, believe and color.

Membership: The opportunity to meet with other families with similar or same needs and learn how to cope and succeed with their Down Syndrome child, the sharing of concerns and the will to bring forward their child is an invaluable experience and opportunity That the group offers. This is possible only due to the participation and determination to see their child succeed in spite of all political, social and cultural barriers, is the only condition to become a member of the group.

All the families with Down Syndrome children are welcome to participate in all the activities of the group and grow in a healthy environment, where confidentiality highly valued and a norm in the group.

The membership consists in to become involved and commit yourself participating in all activities of the group, such as monthly meeting, social and cultural activities, seminars and conferences. This personal compromise to participate and serious commitment is the only requirement needed to become a member of the group.