Next Tuesday, May 14, 2013, Down Syndrome of Affiliates in Action (DSAIA) is hosting a webinar where I am the presenter. The webinar will cover the recent professional statements on prenatal testing for Down syndrome. If you are like me and gain a new level of understanding hearing information presented to you, then this webinar should help further explain what I've been covering on the latest in prenatal testing for Down syndrome. DSAIA has graciously made the webinar available to the public Continue Reading
April 23, 2013
Non-NIPS tests for Down syndrome are “tarot cards”
Continuing the examination of Christopher Weaver's recent report on NIPS in the Wall Street Journal, one quote jumped off the page when I read it. Did you know that screening tests that are not NIPS are as helpful as "tarot cards"? Continue Reading
April 22, 2013
Worries about new prenatal screen for Down syndrome
Earlier this month, the Wall Street Journal published a report on worries being raised about the new prenatal screening testing for Down syndrome. What are these worries (and are these the only ones worth reporting on)? Continue Reading
April 19, 2013
J-Law receives the Down Syndrome of Louisville Friendship Award
I wrote in a previous post about the friendship Oscar-winner Jennifer Lawrence has with all-around-good-guy Andy Strunk, who happens to have Down syndrome. In honor of that friendship, E! News is reporting that J-Law will receive the Friendship Award from Down Syndrome of Louisville at this year's Mint Jubilee, a gala held as part of the Kentucky Derby festivities. Due to her filming schedule, Ms. Lawrence's brother will be accepting the award presented by Mr. Strunk. The gala is next Friday, Continue Reading
April 16, 2013
Seeing a dream come true
In the video you will see news coverage of Lydia Orso and Tom Swenson's wedding. I expect that when Lydia was born, no one believed one day she would be exchanging vows at her wedding ceremony--I know I would not have. Continue Reading
April 12, 2013
It’s Friday, let’s have some fun
I'll resume my series on the new policy statements on the newest form of prenatal testing for Down syndrome next week. But, it's Friday, so let's have some fun. Enjoy the video of Kaitlyn, a 16 year old with Down syndrome, showing off her skills hula-hooping during halftime. Not many of us can hula-hoop that well or have performed a halftime show, at any level. Impressive stuff. Enjoy. Continue Reading
March 29, 2013
News coverage of the Down Syndrome Information Act
World Down Syndrome Day was bookended by two pieces of legislation. The week after 3/21, North Dakota enacted its law banning Down syndrome-selective abortion, which I wrote about at this post. The week before 3/21, Kentucky passed the Down Syndrome Information Act, requiring written materials and referral to parent support organizations with every Down syndrome diagnosis, prenatal or postnatal, which I wrote about here. In a recent column in TIME magazine, the two laws were discussed. Continue Reading
March 26, 2013
North Dakota enacts law banning Down syndrome-selective abortion
Yesterday, the Governor of North Dakota signed House Bill 1305, prohibiting sex-selective abortion and abortion for genetic abnormality. That same day, the Governor also signed a law banning abortion once a fetal heartbeat is detected. As a result, with abortion being invoked, the media reporting and instant comments devolved into pro-life/pro-choice arguments. But let's look at the actual language of the law that concerns Down syndrome abortions and see what it actually says before we choose Continue Reading
March 19, 2013
WDSD & The Down Syndrome Information Act on TV
WDRB 41 Louisville - News, Weather, Sports Community Thursday is World Down Syndrome Day (WDSD). March 21st was chosen as the numerical date, 3/21, reflects the genetic cause of Down syndrome, a triplicate of the 21st Chromosome. Today, a local news affiliate featured my local organization in preparation for WDSD. Watch the video to see self-advocate Chris getting ready to make our host breakfast and your blog's author interviewed about the recently-passed Down Syndrome Information Continue Reading
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