Down's Syndrome
Victoria Downs
Mr. Eddie Paden
English 101
April 3, 2014
Her name is Haley; she is healthy, smart, and excels in school. Haley is one of my younger sisters, and she has Down’s syndrome. I was young when my parents found out that they were going to have a child with Down’s syndrome, and we weren’t sure how things would be for our family or for Haley. As I grew up I came to realize what the next lifetime with her as a sister would entail. Today Down’s syndrome is a common disorder in the United States, about 1 in 830 or 4,700 annually. Many people are unaware of what Down’s syndrome actually is, the health issues that may accompany it, and how families are affected by Down’s syndrome. Down syndrome is categorized as a chromosomal disorder, (but may sometimes be known as a developmental disorder.) This means that it is caused by an abnormality within a person’s chromosomes. “Down syndrome (or Down’s syndrome) is a chromosomal disorder caused by an error in cell division that results in an extra 21st chromosome” (Crosta). The extra chromosomal material is what causes people with Down syndrome to grow slower and hinders their cognitive ability. According to the American Pregnancy Association, “Mental and physical developments are usually slower in people with Down syndrome than for those without the condition. Infants born with Down syndrome may be of average size, but grow slowly and remain smaller than other children of the same age.” What makes Down syndrome so recognizable and unique is the fact that they have many distinct physical characteristics. “Physical characteristics include: eyes that have an upward slant, low muscle tone, small stature and short neck, flat nasal bridge, single deep creases across the center of the palm…” (Crosta). With all of these aspects combined it is easy to see how complex of a disorder Down syndrome really is. Besides being cognitively impaired and physically indifferent; Down syndrome can sometimes be accompanied by
Mr. Eddie Paden
English 101
April 3, 2014
Her name is Haley; she is healthy, smart, and excels in school. Haley is one of my younger sisters, and she has Down’s syndrome. I was young when my parents found out that they were going to have a child with Down’s syndrome, and we weren’t sure how things would be for our family or for Haley. As I grew up I came to realize what the next lifetime with her as a sister would entail. Today Down’s syndrome is a common disorder in the United States, about 1 in 830 or 4,700 annually. Many people are unaware of what Down’s syndrome actually is, the health issues that may accompany it, and how families are affected by Down’s syndrome. Down syndrome is categorized as a chromosomal disorder, (but may sometimes be known as a developmental disorder.) This means that it is caused by an abnormality within a person’s chromosomes. “Down syndrome (or Down’s syndrome) is a chromosomal disorder caused by an error in cell division that results in an extra 21st chromosome” (Crosta). The extra chromosomal material is what causes people with Down syndrome to grow slower and hinders their cognitive ability. According to the American Pregnancy Association, “Mental and physical developments are usually slower in people with Down syndrome than for those without the condition. Infants born with Down syndrome may be of average size, but grow slowly and remain smaller than other children of the same age.” What makes Down syndrome so recognizable and unique is the fact that they have many distinct physical characteristics. “Physical characteristics include: eyes that have an upward slant, low muscle tone, small stature and short neck, flat nasal bridge, single deep creases across the center of the palm…” (Crosta). With all of these aspects combined it is easy to see how complex of a disorder Down syndrome really is. Besides being cognitively impaired and physically indifferent; Down syndrome can sometimes be accompanied by