Raising awareness, supporting, educating, and connecting people with Down syndrome and their families in the greater Utica and central New York area.
What is Down syndrome?
In every human body, there are genes. Genes carry the codes for all of our inherited traits and are grouped along structures called chromosomes. Generally, the nucleus of each cell contains 23 pairs of chromosomes. Down syndrome occurs when an individual has a third copy (trisomy 21) or a partial extra copy (translocation 14) of chromosome 21.
Down syndrome is a common genetic variation which usually causes delay in physical, intellectual and language development. The exact causes of Down syndrome are unknown and has no relation to race, ethnicity, religion or socio-economic status. Down syndrome is estimated to occur in 1 in every 700 live births.
Just as with typical people, people with Down syndrome have a wide variation in mental and physical abilities and behavior. Each person has their own personality and talents. People with Down syndrome benefit from loving homes, early intervention programs, inclusion in school, and appropriate medical care.
Expecting?
Congratulations! Wondering what to expect when having a baby with Down syndrome? Don't rely on google to answer your questions. Contact us. We have accurate information and can answer your questions. We have prenatal congratulations/information packages available to provide to you. You can also view pictures of some of our families on this site. You can even spend the day with some of our moms and kids to see what our daily lives are like.
Go to our "New & Expectant Parents" page for more resources or e-mail for more information. We are here to help!
