ONE extra....can mean the world

Many of my readers already know what Down syndrome (or Trisomy 21) is but I imagine, out there, somewhere, someone does not. So here you go, a very cool tutorial tool if you will.

To find out after your child is born if they have Down syndrome (T21) you will need a test called a karyotype. A karyotype is a snapshot, if you will, of your chromosomal profile. Generally, a person is born with just 46 chromosomes--the person born with T21 has 47 chromosomes. Just ONE extra and that difference depending on where you are born in the world, can make all the difference in the world too.

Check out this cool, and I mean ROCKIN' COOL, karyotype. It is in color!!! I have borrowed this from Rick and you can find his blog about Down syndrome by clicking here: NOAH'S DAD.

That bright pink arrow points to the exact location that Trisomy 21 occurs. There are 3 copies of that 21st chromosome instead of just 2. If you are born in the USA and have T21--it is highly likely you will have access to therapies, education, supports and most of all a loving family. If you are born in Eastern Europe and have T21 it is highly likely you will be abandoned at birth, shunned by your family and left in the confines of an orphanage, uneducated, unwanted by society and unloved.

Amazing the difference in cultures even. Amazing how just one little piece of genetic material can literally make or break a person depending on where they are born. Amazing the people who are FIGHTING to save children born with T21 in Eastern European countries right now.

WE KNOW THEIR WORTH---shameful that so many people don't. But please, remember, there are good people, educated people in Eastern European countries too. There are some families who want nothing but the best for their child--like Elaina's parents. She was born in April of this year and they are helping to find her family. There is Joshua's babushka, who was so upset with her children for having given him up for adoption--the Warner family will reap the reward of their loss and my heart hurts for his babushka. There are some mother's who would have given everything for their baby who was born out of a very ugly circumstance--yet, they just COULD NOT keep that child.

Lack of supports, complete and utter shunning of people who keep their child is real and it happens. It happens because disabilities are NATURAL and their society tells them disabilities are AWFUL, HORRIBLE, SINFUL situations that must be avoided at all costs.

Thank God, Almighty, my child was born in the USA and I know the blessing of Down syndrome. Thank God, Almighty, He opened my eyes to the plight of orphans in EE countries. And THANK GOD, ALMIGHTY, HE has a child waiting for me.

Some day soon, there will be ONE less orphan all because of ONE extra chromo and ONE life changing moment.

~Christie~