Why do we do this?
Hello. My name is Justin and I would like to welcome you to DownSyndrome.com. DownSyndrome.com is a website that has the intention of bringing people together to learn, communicate, and impart knowledge about Down Syndrome.
I have never embarked on creating a personal website before. I certainly didn’t have aspirations to create a site so ambitious as this one but something happened to me on February 21st, 2005 that changed me forever and made the idea of not creating this site not an option.
On that day my wife Rebecca gave birth to our first son who we named Theodore Patrick (Teddy). Teddy has Down Syndrome and because of that little extra bit of genetic matter in his 21st chromosome, our view of the World has changed forever. Just like any parent of any typical child, we have taken on the goal as Teddy’s parents of making his experiences fulfilling and rewarding and his community more accommodating.
As of the time of this post, I am 35 years old and I work for a successful Internet company. Because of my proximity to technology, I am lucky to have a perspective on the amazing things that can be accomplished online; especially how it is possible to communicate effectively with people all over the World. It is because of that proximity and knowledge of the power of the Internet that I felt compelled to work on this site and use my expertise to help facilitate the dissemination of important information, research, and the experiences of a global community to anyone that is interested in the issues relating to Down Syndrome.
I very much welcome you to participate in this community. Please feel free to contribute your personal experiences, photos, stories, etc and help me make this a rich environment.
Sincerely,
Justin
joanne
I just wanted to say hello and AND GLAD God let you come to your family..
We have a new grandson he has Down and we are so looking forward to giving him all the love and we willpost a pictue later this year… God bless and keep up the good work We pray for all of you and our family too.. Happy to meet you…
Justin Jilg
Thank you — I look forward to getting to know you better.
Gina Johnson
Dearest Justin,
As the mother of seven great kids including a son David who is now 27 (and has Down syndrome) and as the founder of Sharing Down Syndrome Arizona I commend you for your incredible website! SDSA has been serving the families in Arizona for over 20 years and each time I met a newborn baby my heart fills with joy! Thank you for loving your son and for making the world a better place by connecting parents and families one heart at a time. As a side note to dear Shafqat Rosool…you don’t know it dear one but your baby son who has Down syndrome will bless your lives in a way you never dreamed! Please check out out website and you will see why we can’t help but fall in love with our children. Please email me and I would love to send you the New Parent Gift Package we give to new families. Please send me your son’s full name and date of birth as we imprint that on his beautiful journal. Our information is in English but I think it will help you very much to realize all you son can be. My son David graduated from high school and works. He loves his life and he is loved by many. I do have a friend who lives in Pakistan and I would love to introduce you to her family as they too have a son who has Down syndrome. God bless you dear friend.
With kindest regards, Gina Johnson (Gilbert, Arizona , United States of America)
PS Dear Justin, I have not searched your site yet and am just writing this note, but it would be great if even right here we could upload our child’s photo to give a beautiful face to the one we are bragging about. xoxo (Sound just like a proud mom, don’t I ?!)
Ann Badway
Hello,
My name is Ann Badway and I am working on a grant on behalf of The Arc of New Mexico to conduct a needs assessment study statewide, aimed at identifying the strengths and weaknesses in the care, support and education of individuals with Down syndrome in our state. I would like to use photos from your website as part of our materials creating awareness about our study. I would be happy to answer any questions you may have about our grant study and look forward to hearing from you. If permission is grnated to use any photo, we will also forward the materials which utilize each photo to you.
Thank you.
Cameron
Hey Justin i just wanted to say the i think it is really cool how you did this website, your really showed that you have alot better skills then me hahahah just wanted to say that your website gave me the info. i needed to do a project way to go justin
shilathapa
hey Justin you have adorable son .i am shila i have also a son with down syndrome and i am from Nepal .i have interesting story.my story is quite long so if i get your email address personal one then i send it to you.