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From
The News Times:
Halloween is still two weeks away, but you wouldn't know it by looking at Marianne Flanagan's house.
Ghosts and goblins lurk in the front yard. An inflatable cemetery arch sits next to her big picture window. A spooky tablecloth with embroidered spiders hangs on the dining room table.
But that's nothing.
Wait until Oct. 24, when Flanagan really goes all out at the eighth annual Boo Bash, sponsored by the Danbury, Conn., Area Playgroup for Children with Down Syndrome.
"It's a great way for the kids to have some fun and to bring the families (of Down syndrome kids) together," Flanagan said. "But it's also a great way to get the word out about Down syndrome."
Flanagan and her husband, Charles, are well versed to get the word out.
Their 9-year-old daughter, Katie, was diagnosed in the womb with Down syndrome, a genetic variation that affects 1 in 800 babies born in the U.S. and causes delays in physical, intellectual and language development, according to the National Down Syndrome Congress.
Marianne Flanagan was 7 1/2 months pregnant when she learned Katie had Down syndrome. Although the Flanagans never considered having an abortion, they represent a minority in America.
The current termination rate with a Down syndrome diagnosis is about 90 percent,
according to Kathryn Lynard Soper, author of "Gifts: Mothers Reflect on How Children with Down Syndrome Enrich Their Lives."
Instead of mourning their vivacious and beautiful daughter before she was born, Marianne and Charles Flanagan chose to celebrate every day of her life.
A classroom of Stadley Rough Elementary School kindergartners shared the Flanagans' joy when they celebrated Katie's birthday before school let out last June.
It was like any other birthday party in any other classroom in America. There was cake and laughter and singing. Oh, boy, was there singing!
After the kids finished "Happy Birthday," they broke into a time-honored, elementary school chant: "Are you 1? Are you 2? Are you 3?"
By the time the children reached "Are you 6? Are you 7?" they began exchanging curious looks.
By the time they reached "Are you 8? Are you 9?" the looks became blank but really thoughtful.
"We just sat all the kids down and talked to them about Down syndrome," Marianne Flanagan said. "I answered all their questions and the kids were great.
"When we were done, they all went over and hugged Katie. It was so beautiful," Flanagan added. "I'm so glad that we videotaped it. I'll never, ever forget it."
Patty Alessandro, one of Flanagan's best friends and the mother of a 19-month-old boy with Down syndrome, also longs to teach the world about her son.
Luke (pictured) is a blond-haired angel who loves to smile. He reaches out to the world with his arms and with sign language, whether he's at home or rolling through the grocery store.
"I can see people thinking whenever they look at Luke," Alessandro said. "It's like they're saying, 'Hey, something is different about this little boy. I wonder what's wrong with him?' I wish they would just ask me.
"Maybe I should wear a button that says, 'Ask me about my son, Luke.' Maybe that would help things," Alessandro went on. "I would love to tell them about all the wonderful joy he's brought to our lives."
From The News Times:
