“Be Inspired” Stories
Sometimes hearing that there’s someone else out there who knows what you’re going through can be the most empowering support imaginable. Over the years our team has worked with and been touched by some of the most amazing individuals and families you could ever want to meet. These are people who inspire us every day. Here are some of their stories.
JUST LIKE YOU (DOWN SYNDROME)
Explores the life, hopes, challenges and dreams of three kids living with Down syndrome. Elyssa, Rachel and Sam share personal stories to help viewers better understand their condition and why they wish to be treated just like you. Each of our stars has their own talents, characteristics, strengths and challenges. Down syndrome is just one part of who they are and this film identifies how to handle and accommodate differences while celebrating the many similarities our friends with Down syndrome have with their peers.
“Have you ever had the wind knocked out of you becauseyour life’s path had changed so drastically that it didn’t feel like you were able to enjoy it? This happened to me and Mike when we got the prenatal diagnosis that Beau had Down syndrome. There are a lot of di fferent emotions that go along with a prenatal diagnosis and it’s easy to feel like you’re alone. That’s where the Rocky Mountain Down Syndrome Association (RMDSA) came in. They called me up and congratulated me on the news of our baby boy. That’s right – they CONGRATULATED us! And then they sent an awesome care package filled with literature for us and gift s for Beau. They connected me with a local mom’s group, and that’s where I was able to regain the joy in my pregnancy and in the anticipation of our little boy’s arrival.”
“When we got our prenatal diagnosis, it felt scary at first. There were so many unknowns. RMDSA helped us so much by introducing us to a parent volunteer who introduced us to her family. It helped so much to meet them and see their family interact. We learned that life would feel normal again, no matter how many chromosomes our baby had! Now I know that having a child with Down syndrome is just like having a life with any child. There are joys and challenges. Some days things feel a little more challenging, but it just makes us enjoy the celebrations even more. Life is so much better with our daughter and she is the light of our lives!”
“We found out that our son was diagnosed with Down syndrome at the end of the first trimester of pregnancy. Prior to our first meeting with RMDSA I didn’t even know what Down syndrome was. RMDSA has been an absolute guiding light for not just the development of our son but also the development of our entire family. We are eternally grateful for the work of RMDSA. Without their help, our lives would be very di fferent.”
“We were scared and confused when we first received the news of our child’s Down Syndrome diagnosis. We reached out to RMDSA for some information, and received a gift even greater: an understanding and joy that changed our fear and confusion into excitement and joy at having been blessed with a child with Down Syndrome. We are forever grateful to RMDSA for their care and passion of families and their willingness to be so accommodating and supportive of our needs. Thank you!”