| Understanding Down Syndrome, the effect is has | | | | ventricular septal. Both increase the risk of early |
| on those with the disorder, and the families it | | | | death. (See for article) And many will require |
| impacts, is something few can attest to. | | | | surgery in early infancy according to the Mayo |
| Society may only see a child with specific | | | | Clinic. |
| features, such as a flattened nose, smaller ears | | | | Nearly 2% of Down syndrome children will be |
| and eyes, and the probability of some degree of | | | | diagnosed with Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia |
| mental retardation. But, the disorder has more | | | | (ALL), which affects the lymphoid white blood |
| than just a few visual characteristics that set it | | | | cells, or, Acute Non-lymphocytic Leukemia (ANLL), |
| apart from other disabilities. | | | | a fast moving cancer that affects the myeloid |
| Creating an awareness of Down syndrome as a | | | | white blood cells. The children with ALL have |
| whole disorder and how it affects not only the | | | | responded better to treatment, however, the |
| individual with it, but those that love and care for | | | | cure can be as deadly as the disease. |
| them is important. But, what is awareness? What | | | | This disorder increases the susceptibility to |
| does it mean in relation to this disability? | | | | infections as well. Ear infections and pneumonia |
| Merriam-Webster dictionary defines the word | | | | risks are greater. Intestinal problems and/or |
| aware as: "vigilance in observing or alertness in | | | | abnormalities, hearing and/or vision impairments or |
| drawing inferences from what one experiences." | | | | loss are also not uncommon.) |
| Explained: watch to avoid the danger of passing | | | | Awareness means that each child, and their |
| statements or judgments as true from the | | | | family, faces battles daily. Some are easier to |
| experiences of others. Simply put: Just because | | | | overcome than others. Some cannot be |
| one child with Down syndrome moves into | | | | overcome at all. |
| adulthood with minimal complications, does not | | | | With this knowledge, those in positions to be of |
| mean that all will do so. | | | | service to the family, give consolation, or just |
| Nearly 50% of children with Down syndrome | | | | offer shoulders of support can bring the |
| have heart defects such as atrial septal or | | | | awareness of hope to those that need it most. |