Feel Good Friday: Life is Better with Brooks!

Our Feel Good Friday series continues by introducing you to our new friend Brooks.  Hometown Happenings met Brooks this summer at a garage sale his family was hosting.  There were no prices on the items and the cost of all items was a donation to the Down Syndrome Association of NW Indiana.  We will be joining him again for the upcoming Buddy Walk on Sunday, October 13th, at the Lake County Fairgrounds.  His story below is told to us by his mom, Lyndsey Boskey and photo credit goes to Marigold + Light

1)  How old is Brooks?  What is Down Syndrome?  How does it or how will it affect him?  Brooks is two and will be turning 3 in November.

Down Syndrome occurs when a person has an extra 21st chromosome. The cells can be affected differently for each person. Brooks has hypotonia, which made him have to work harder to be able to walk.

I honestly have no idea how it will affect him just like I have no idea what the future holds for any of my children. I can say that when I look at young adults in the Down Syndrome community it makes me excited for his future.

2)  When did you know he had Down Syndrome & were you nervous or scared?  We received a birth diagnosis about an hour after he was born. We went into the hospital not even knowing if we were having a girl or a boy. We had one amazing hour with our baby before everything seemed to come crashing down. Fear overwhelmed me. I loved my baby as much as a person can possibly love another person, and just wanted to keep him safe. It wasn’t Down Syndrome I was afraid of, but rather all of the possible health problems that could go along with it.

All the fear would go away when I held him and he looked at me. It was those moments that helped me find peace and enjoy my baby.

3)  What are some of the positives in raising a kid with Down Syndrome?  I think the positives are the same as raising any child, but the joy and pride we feel to see him reach milestones is intense and contagious. Brooks has so many people that are genuinely rooting for him. We aren’t even three years in yet, but all I can say is that our life with Brooks is our normal. Getting to raise him is the positive. We feel lucky and wouldn’t change him for anything.

4)  What are some of the challenges?  Just like anyone else each person with Down Syndrome is unique and can have their own challenges.

We are continually working with Brooks on his speech. He has words. He just can’t always access them. He receives therapies that help him as well as our whole family as he works to reach his goals.

5)  What help is available to you?  Is it through the Down Syndrome Assn of NW Indiana?  The connection through our DSA and families that have loved ones with Down Syndrome has been the greatest help. Nothing can replace having the support and advice of other families that are or have gone through the same things as us. As Brooks gets older there will be so much available to him through the DSA.

Since Brooks was 2 months old he has received therapies through Indiana’s First Steps early intervention program. We use the company Wee Care. I couldn’t possibly describe my thankfulness to these therapists who have come into our home week after week, encouraged our family, and worked with Brooks in such a playful way. He loves his therapies.

He also receives Medicaid and is on the Waiver through Indiana, which will help with private therapies and possible medical expenses.

6)  What do you wish people knew about people with Down Syndrome?  That people with Down Syndrome are just people. They are individuals who are so much more than Down Syndrome. They deserve all of the same opportunities as any other person.

They deserve friendship and opportunities to pursue the life they dream of.

7)  Tell us about the walk coming up and how people can get involved?  The DSA’s Buddy Walk is on Sunday, October 13th, at the Lake County Fairgrounds. You can contact the DSA if you’d like to volunteer. Some other ways you can help would be to walk with us, run the 5k, donate or join a team.

It’s such a fun day; a celebration!

8)  Other than the walk, If people wanted to help, what is the best way to do so?  The Down Syndrome Association has many events that they put together for people with disabilities and their family and friends. Offering to volunteer to help with events would be great.

Other than that, help us by accepting those with Down Syndrome. If you have children please teach them about people with disabilities and encourage them to make friends with everyone. Our world is not cookie cutter. If we all look outside of ourselves and open our hearts we will find there is so much more to life than what we thought we knew.