{"id":134259,"date":"2022-09-29T16:10:39","date_gmt":"2022-09-29T21:10:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/gigisplayhouse.org\/madison\/?p=134259"},"modified":"2025-09-18T12:02:43","modified_gmt":"2025-09-18T17:02:43","slug":"down-syndrome-awareness-month-real-perspectives-from-real-local-families-henry","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gigisplayhouse.org\/madison\/down-syndrome-awareness-month-real-perspectives-from-real-local-families-henry\/","title":{"rendered":"Down Syndrome Awareness Month- REAL Perspectives from REAL Local Families: Henry"},"content":{"rendered":"

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This year, to celebrate Down Syndrome Awareness Month, we asked a few of our Playhouse families and friends to give their REAL perspective on what it\u2019s like to love someone with Down syndrome. Throughout the month, we\u2019ll be sharing their stories!<\/p>\n

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Meet Henry \u2013 Answers from Henry\u2019s Mom, Cacy<\/h2>\n

How would you describe your child with Down syndrome? What are their likes and dislikes? <\/strong><\/p>\n

Henry is a fantastic 2-1\/2-year-old boy who loves adventure. Some of his favorite activities are: camping, swimming and throwing or kicking a ball. He is a huge lover of music!<\/p>\n

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What has been the biggest misperception about Down syndrome that you have experienced or encountered?<\/strong><\/p>\n

The biggest misconception for us is that having a child with Down syndrome would take away all the time from our other children, making them feel not as loved, and possibly causing resentment.<\/p>\n

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We were completely wrong! Our family has grown even stronger since Henry has come into our lives. If you asked all three of his siblings who their favorite human in the world is, all their answers would be Henry!<\/p>\n

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What are some wins Henry has had, recently? What challenges is he working through? <\/strong><\/p>\n

Henry is a very independent boy and loves to push himself to learn new things. It works out to his advantage, to be so independent, because it has allowed him to push through milestones quickly.<\/p>\n

He recently started going to preschool, two mornings a week. Considering he has never been in daycare, it has turned into quite a challenge for him (mommy, too).<\/p>\n

Three weeks later, he has pushed through, made friends, learned the routine the teacher set out for the class and is flourishing! He is learning so much! I have also learned a lot! I have learned that it is okay and wonderful and incredible for him to grow, and for me to let him go, a little bit!<\/p>\n

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What have been your most valuable resources? <\/strong><\/p>\n

First is GiGi\u2019s Playhouse Madison \u2013 a great resource for Henry to make friends, and for our family to meet other families and share advice, or just to listen and support each other. Henry just started speech therapy at GiGi\u2019s and we are so excited to see his speech skills grow!<\/p>\n

Second is the book: \u201cNourished Beginnings Baby Food,\u201d by Renee Kohley. This book has been a game changer! It gave me the tools I needed to make all of Henry\u2019s food. We chose a gluten and dairy free diet for him before he was born. We also added cod liver oil and probiotic to his food, every morning since he was six months old. Henry has not had to struggle with ear infections, constipation or had to take an antibiotic, in his life. I really feel like the decision we made, in regard to his health, has paid off thanks to this amazing book!<\/p>\n

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What advice do you have for families who have a child with Down syndrome, who aren\u2019t as far along the path, as you are? <\/strong><\/p>\n

Research, research, research!<\/p>\n

Right after we got Henry\u2019s diagnosis (I was about four months along), I dove into research. I wanted to find out what possible complications kids with Down syndrome face. I focused on the complications that could be preventable. The complications that, just maybe, I could keep him from ever having to face:<\/p>\n